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

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Eustachian Tube Problems Center - Eau Claire, WI

Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire *

Midelfort Clinic Otolaryngology
Jeffrey M Bartynski
733 W Clairemont Ave
Eau Claire, WI 54701
(715) 838-6968

Midelfort Clinic Otolaryngology
James B Miettunen
733 W Clairemont Ave
Otolaryngology
Eau Claire, WI 54701
(715) 838-6968

Midelfort Clinic Otolaryngology
Patrick A Shinners
733 W Clairemont Ave
Otolaryngology
Eau Claire, WI 54701
(715) 838-6968

Western Wisconsin ENT
Richard T Crane
2119 Heights Dr
Eau Claire, WI 54701
(715) 831-0289

Marshfield Clinic Indianhead Center
Thomas G Gerber
1700 W Stout St
Rice Lake, WI 54868
(715) 236-8100

ENT Associates of North Central Wisconsin
Ian R Swift
101 S Gibson St
Medford, WI 54451
(800) 897-3307

Franciscan Skemp Medical Center ENT
Scott B Blanke
700 West Ave S
ENT
La Crosse, WI 54601
(608) 791-9888

Franciscan Skemp Medical Center ENT
Rustan J Wiersma
700 West Ave S
ENT
La Crosse, WI 54601
(608) 791-9888

Marshfield Clinic Marshfield Otolaryngology
Timothy R Boyle
1000 N Oak Ave
Otolaryngology
Marshfield, WI 54449
(715) 387-5271

Marshfield Clinic Marshfield Otolaryngology
Victor S Ejercito
1000 N Oak Ave
Otolaryngology
Marshfield, WI 54449
(715) 387-5271

Marshfield Clinic Marshfield Otolaryngology
James J Holt
1000 N Oak Ave
Otolaryngology
Marshfield, WI 54449
(715) 387-5271

Marshfield Clinic Marshfield Otolaryngology
Douglas W Peterson
1000 N Oak Ave
Otolaryngology
Marshfield, WI 54449
(715) 387-5271

Marshfield Clinic Marshfield Otolaryngology
Gwen E Stone
1000 N Oak Ave
Otolaryngology
Marshfield, WI 54449
(715) 387-5271

Marshfield Clinic Marshfield Otolaryngology
Andrew C Urquhart
1000 N Oak Ave
Otolaryngology
Marshfield, WI 54449
(715) 387-5271

River Falls Medical Clinic
Jon V Thomas
1687 E Division St
River Falls, WI 54022
(715) 425-6701

Eau Claire, Wisconsin

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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 Eau Claire

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Eau Claire Hospitals *

St Joseph's Hospital Chippewa Falls
2661 County Highway I
Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
(715)723-1811

Sacred Heart Hospital
900 W Clairemont Ave
Eau Claire, WI 54701
(715)839-4121

Luther Midelfort Hospital
1221 Whipple St
Eau Claire, WI 54703
(715)838-3311

Luther Middlefort Oakridge
13025 8th St
Osseo, WI 54758
(715)597-3121

Our Lady of Victory Hospital
1120 Pine St
Stanley, WI 54768
(715)644-5571

Bloomer Medical Center
1501 Thompson St
Bloomer, WI 54724
(715)568-2000

Tri-County Memorial Hospital
18601 Lincoln St
Whitehall, WI 54773
(715)538-4361

Red Cedar Medical Center
2321 Stout Rd
Menomonie, WI 54751
(715)235-5531

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