Severe Complications With Eustachian Tubes

Hearing Loss

A blocked eustachian tube can lead to hearing loss. Unless the condition causes damage to structures within the ear, the hearing loss tends to be temporary. Many individuals are familiar with the feeling of having their ears 'pop' during air pressure changes, especially if they're in an airplane. The difference in pressure can make sounds seem muffled. Swallowing and yawning are both ways to open the eustachian tubes and help the air pressure outside equal the air pressure inside. Sometimes the problems with pressure aren't related to altitude changes, though. Patients might experience hearing loss from a blocked eustachian tube if there's negative pressure or fluid trapped inside the middle ear.