Ear fullness, ear pressure, or a popping sensation in the ear that occurs with changes in altitude are signs of eustachian tube dysfunction. The eustachian tube is the pressure equalizing tube between the nose and the ear.
Until recently, patients were only treated with medications, primarily directed towards allergy management such as intranasal steroids, antihistamines, and decongestants. Now, there is a minimally invasive in-office procedure called balloon dilation of the eustachian tube. This procedure has become available to assist in managing patients with chronic eustachian tube dysfunction.
Dr. Sikand and his team are currently part of a multicenter study to further investigate this treatment.