Eustachian Tube Problems Center - Joplin, MO
Joplin Ear, Nose, & Throat Doctor Doctors for Eustachian Tube ProblemsType 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 Joplin * Frank W Shagets MD  Renee A Walker MD  McIntire Ear Nose & Throat  McIntire Ear Nose & Throat  CMH ENT AND ALLERGY CLINIC  Ferrell-Duncan Clinic ENT  Ferrell-Duncan Clinic ENT  Ferrell-Duncan Clinic ENT  Springfield ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery  St John's Clinic Ear Nose & Throat  St John's Clinic Ear Nose & Throat  St John's Clinic Ear Nose & Throat  St John's Clinic Ear Nose & Throat  Branson ENT Joplin, MissouriUpcoming Local Events2012-05-26
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Eustachian Tube Problems (Problems Clearing Your Ears)Read the Eustachian Tube Problems (Problems Clearing Your Ears) article » 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... Read the Eustachian Tube Problems (Problems Clearing Your Ears) article » 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 ... Read the Noise Induced Hearing Loss and Its Prevention article » Other Related Eustachian Tube Problems ArticlesEmergency Contact for Joplin
Nearby Joplin Hospitals *St John's Regional Medical Center Joplin Freeman Health System Freeman East Hospital Landmark Hospital of Joplin McCune Brooks Regional Hospital Freeman Neosho Hospital St John's Maude Norton Memorial Hospital Mt Carmel Regional Medical Center INTEGRIS Baptist Regional Health Center Willow Crest Hospital Barton County Memorial Hospital Oswego Medical Center Cox Monett Hospital Girard Medical Center Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
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