Eustachian Tube Balloon Dilation

Eustachian tube dysfunction is a phenomenon whereby a person is unable to pop their ears to relieve symptoms of ear pressure, clogging, or fullness. It is much akin to the ear pressure a person experiences when flying, but at ground level. Traditionally, treatment of this condition involved medications like steroid nasal sprays and prednisone along with active valsalva. Once medical treatment has failed, ear tube placement has been the step of last resort.

However, a promising new treatment called eustachian tube balloon dilation has been described in March 2011 to address eustachian tube dysfunction at the source surgically rather than indirectly with tube placement across the eardrum. In essence, a balloon is inserted into the eustachian tube and than inflated thereby opening it up (the balloon is “popping” the ear for you). The balloon is than deflated and removed.

 

The Benefits in Using Eustachian Tube Balloon Dilation

ACCLARENT AERA™ Eustachian Tube Dilation System is the first balloon dilation intervention indicated for persistent Eustachian Tube Dysfunction in the United States. ACCLARENT AERA™ goes beyond symptoms to the source. ETD is a condition caused by the inadequate opening of the Eustachian tubes, with patients’ experiencing chronic ear pressure, pain, and/or clogged or muffled sensations. Adult prevalence of ETD is estimated to be between 0.9% and 5.0%.