Dothan AL Ear, Nose, & Throat Doctor Doctors - Eustachian Tube Problems Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment on MedicineNet.com

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Eustachian Tube Problems Center - Dothan, AL

Dothan Ear, Nose, & Throat Doctor Doctors for Eustachian Tube Problems

Type of Physician: Ear, Nose, & Throat Doctor

What is a Ear, Nose, & Throat Doctor?

A certification by the Board of Otolaryngology; practitioners provide comprehensive medical and surgical care of patients with diseases and disorders that affect the ears, the respiratory and upper alimentary systems (nose, mouth and throat) and related structures.

Specialty: Ear, Nose & Throat (Otolaryngology)

Common Name: Ear, Nose, Throat Doctor

Ear, Nose, & Throat Doctor Doctors in Dothan *

Dothan ENT Allergy & Asthma PC
Timothy Gannon
4300 W Main St
STE 403
Dothan, AL 36305
(334) 793-4788

Dothan ENT Allergy & Asthma PC
Steven D Harris
4300 W Main St
STE 403
Dothan, AL 36305
(334) 793-4788

Dothan ENT Allergy & Asthma PC
Johnathan Lindman
4300 W Main St
STE 403
Dothan, AL 36305
(334) 793-4788

Dothan ENT Allergy & Asthma PC
F Kent Nunnally
4300 W Main St
STE 403
Dothan, AL 36305
(334) 793-4788

Dothan ENT Allergy & Asthma PC
V Warren Rollins
4300 W Main St
STE 403
Dothan, AL 36305
(334) 793-4788

Dothan ENT Allergy & Asthma PC
Joe Smith
4300 W Main St
STE 403
Dothan, AL 36305
(334) 793-4788

Callahan ENT
Scot C Callahan
101 E Brunson St
STE 100
Enterprise, AL 36330
(334) 393-6673

Southeastern ENT
James M McQueen
107 E Watts St
Enterprise, AL 36331
(334) 393-6837

Southeastern ENT
Wilton D McRae
107 E Watts St
Enterprise, AL 36331
(334) 393-6837

Stabler Clinic
Aubrey A Stabler
300 N College St
Greenville, AL 36037
(334) 382-2681

Rickey G Love MD
Rickey G Love
6912 Winton Blount Blvd
Montgomery, AL 36117
(334) 281-6327

ENT Associates of Alabama
J Noble Anderson
2055 E South Blvd
STE 908
Montgomery, AL 36116
(334) 284-5470

East Alabama ENT PC
William R Blythe
1965 1st Ave
Opelika, AL 36801
(334) 705-0012

ENT Associates of Alabama
Craig A Chapman
2055 E South Blvd
STE 908
Montgomery, AL 36116
(334) 284-5470

East Alabama ENT PC
Warren A Stiles
1965 1st Ave
Opelika, AL 36801
(334) 705-0012

East Alabama ENT PC
W Stites Whatley
1965 1st Ave
Opelika, AL 36801
(334) 705-0012

Central Alabama ENT Associates
William J Knox
2163 Normandie Dr
Montgomery, AL 36111
(334) 284-1870

Central Alabama ENT Associates
Wallace C Vaughan
2163 Normandie Dr
Montgomery, AL 36111
(334) 284-1870

Dothan, Alabama

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Eustachian Tube Problems (Problems Clearing Your Ears)

What is the Eustachian tube?

The Eustachian tube is a tube that originates in the back of the nose, runs a slightly uphill course, and ends in the middle ear space. The middle ear space is the hollowed out portion of the skull bone that contains the hearing apparatus and is covered on one side by the eardrum. In adults, the Eustachian tube is approximately 35 mm long (1.3 inches) and approximately 3 mm in diameter (less than 1/10 inch). Cartilage provides the supporting structure for the first two-thirds of the Eustachian tube, with the last third (the part closest to the middle ear space) being made of bone.

The tissue that lines the Eustachian tube is similar to that inside the nasal cavity and may respond the same way (swelling) when presented with similar stimuli. The Eustachian tube was named in honor of the 16th century Italian anatomiast Eustachius. Sources credit Almaceon of Sparta as the first to describe the structure in approximately 400 BC.

What are the functions of the Eustachian tube?

The primary function of the Eustachian tube is to ventilate the middle ear space, ensuring that its pressure remains at near normal ambient air pressure. The secondary function of the Eustachian tube is to drain any accumulated secretions, infection, or debris from the middle ear space. Several small muscles located in the back of the throat and palate control the opening and closing of the tube. Swallowing and yawning cause contractions of these muscles and help to regulate Eustachian tube function. If it were not for the Eustachian tube, the middle ear cavity would be an isolated air pocket inside the head that would be vulnerable to every change in air pressure and lead to an unhealthy ear.

Normally, the Eustachian tube is closed, which helps prevent the inadvertent contamination of the middle ear space by the normal secretions found in the back of the nose. A dysfunctional E...

Recommended Reading Related to Eustachian Tube Problems (Problems Clearing Your Ears)

Noise Induced Hearing Loss and Its Prevention »

What is the importance of noise-induced hearing loss?

The industrial and technological revolution may have propelled society to higher levels of achievement, but this progress has also made the world a noisier place in which to live. In fact, noise pollution is a growing health hazard and can be found almost everywhere. Car alarms, leaf blowers, gunshots, boom boxes, and traffic congestion fill our cities with decibels (the measure of sound intensity). Escaping to the country may not provide a quiet refuge, and even farmers are at high risk for exposure to noise from their farm machinery.

What's more, potentially harmful noise is not necessarily unpleasant or unwanted. For example, the music at a concert and the pounding of a jackhammer on the street can be equally damaging to the inner ear. The reason for this is that any sounds (acoustic energies) delivered with equal intensity, regardless of their source, are equally dangerous. Eventually, continued ...

Emergency Contact for Dothan

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Dothan Hospitals *

Southeast Alabama Medical Center
1108 Ross Clark Cir
Dothan, AL 36301
(334)793-8111

HEALTHSOUTH Rehab Hospital of Dothan
1736 E Main St
Dothan, AL 36301
(334)712-6333

Flowers Hospital
4370 W Main St
Dothan, AL 36305
(334)793-5000

Campbellton-Graceville Hospital
5429 College Dr
Graceville, FL 32440
(850)263-4431

Dale Medical Center
126 Hospital Ave
Ozark, AL 36360
(334)774-2601

Medical Center Enterprise
400 N Edwards St
Enterprise, AL 36330
(334)347-0584

Early Memorial Hospital
11740 Columbia St
Blakely, GA 39823
(229)723-4241

Jackson Hospital
4250 Hospital Dr
Marianna, FL 32446
(850)526-2200

Wiregrass Medical Center
1200 W Maple Ave
Geneva, AL 36340
(334)684-3655

Donalsonville Hospital
102 Hospital Cir
Donalsonville, GA 39845
(229)524-5217

Northwest Florida Community Hospital
1360 Brickyard Rd
Chipley, FL 32428
(850)638-1610

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