Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) is a common but frequently under-recognised cause of ear-related symptoms in general practice. It is often misattributed to other conditions, and, while typically self-limiting, persistent or unilateral cases warrant further evaluation to rule out serious pathology and guide appropriate management and referral.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AlperCMTeixeiraMSRichertBCSwartsJD (2019) Presentation and eustachian tube function test results in children evaluated at a specialty clinic. The Laryngoscope129(5): 1218–1228. DOI: 10.1002/lary.27545.
2.
BalRDeshmukhP (2022) Management of Eustachian tube dysfunction: A review. Cureus14(11). Available at: www.cureus.com/articles/12345 (Accessed: 7 July 2025).
3.
BallengerJJSnowJB (2003) Ballenger's Otorhinolaryngology. Hamilton, ON: BC Decker, pp. 203–204.
4.
IinoYKakizakiKSaruyaS, et al. (2006) Eustachian Tube Function in Patients With Eosinophilic Otitis Media Associated With Bronchial Asthma Evaluated by Sonotubometry. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2006;132(10):1109–1114. DOI: 10.1001/archotol.132.10.1109
5.
IwanoTKinoshitaTHamadaE, et al. (1993) Otitis media with effusion and eustachian tube dysfunction in adults and children. Acta Oto-Laryngologica113(Suppl 500): 66–69. DOI: 10.3109/00016489309126183.
6.
KoumpaFSMoraitisIBowlesPSaundersN.(2020) Eustachian tube balloon dilatation: a cross-sectional, survey-based study of 137 UK consultants. The Journal of Laryngology and Otology. 2020;134(1):41-45. DOI: 10.1017/S0022215119002561
7.
MannoAIannellaGSavastanoV, et al. (2021) Eustachian tube dysfunction in children with adenoid hypertrophy: the role of adenoidectomy for improving ear ventilation. Ear, Nose & Throat Journal. DOI: 10.1177/0145561321989455.
8.
MeyerTAO'MalleyEMSchlosserRJ, et al. (2018) A randomized controlled trial of balloon dilation as a treatment for persistent eustachian tube dysfunction with 1-year follow-up. Otol Neurotol39(7): 894–902. DOI: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000001853.
9.
McCoulEDAnandVKChristosPJ (2012) Validating the clinical assessment of eustachian tube dysfunction: the Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire (ETDQ-7). The Laryngoscope122(5): 1137–1141. DOI: 10.1002/lary.23223.
10.
NICE (2019) Balloon dilation for chronic eustachian tube dysfunction. Available at: www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ipg665 (accessed 17 July 2025).
SchilderAGMBhuttaMFButlerCC, et al. (2015) Eustachian tube dysfunction: consensus statement on definition, types, clinical presentation and diagnosis. Clinical Otolaryngology40(5): 407–411. DOI: 10.1111/coa.12475.
13.
SchröderSLehmannMSauzetO, et al. (2015) A novel diagnostic tool for chronic obstructive eustachian tube dysfunction—the eustachian tube score. The Laryngoscope125(3): 703–708. DOI: 10.1002/lary.24922.
14.
SeibertJWDannerCJ (2006) Eustachian tube function and the middle ear. Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America39(6): 1221–1235. DOI: 10.1016/j.otc.2006.08.011.
15.
SmithMEScoffingsDJTysomeJR (2016) Imaging of the Eustachian tube and its function: a systematic review. Neuroradiology58(6): 543–556. DOI: 10.1007/s00234-016-1663-4.
16.
SmithMETakwoingiYDeeksJ, et al. (2018) Eustachian tube dysfunction: a diagnostic accuracy study and proposed diagnostic pathway. PLoS ONE13(11): e0206946. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206946.
TangbumrungthamNPatelVSThambooA, et al. (2018) The prevalence of Eustachian tube dysfunction symptoms in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology8(5): 620–623. DOI: 10.1002/alr.22056.
19.
TekluMKulichMMiccoAG, et al. (2020) Measuring the health utility of chronic eustachian tube dysfunction. The Laryngoscope130(2): E39–E44. DOI: 10.1002/lary.27934.
20.
WebsterKEMulvaneyCAGalbraithK, et al. (2023) Autoinflation for otitis media with effusion (OME) in children. Cochrane Database Systematic Reviews9(9): CD015253. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD015253.pub2.
21.
WilliamsonIVennikJHarndenA, et al. (2015) Effect of nasal balloon autoinflation in children with otitis media with effusion in primary care: an open randomized controlled trial. Canadian Medical Association Journal187(13): 961-969. DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.141608.