Eustachian Tube Function Testing

The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the back of the nose. The Eustachian tube normally allows air to circulate through the middle ear, and allows mucus to drain from the middle ear in to the throat. When the Eustachian Tube is not working correctly the patient may experience symptoms of fullness or pressure in their ears, difficulty popping ears, intermittent sharp ear pain, hearing loss, tinnitus, and dysequilibrium. This test evaluates how well the Eustachian tube opens and closes while the patient swallows and pressure is gently varied in the ear canal.