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

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Eustachian Tube Problems Center - Kingsport, TN

Kingsport 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 Kingsport *

ENT Associates of Kingsport
David R Osterhus
5 Sheridan Square
Kingsport, TN 37660
(423) 246-8155

ENT Associates of Kingsport
Carl W Slocum
5 Sheridan Square
Kingsport, TN 37660
(423) 246-8155

ENT Associates of Kingsport
William J Wallace
5 Sheridan Square
Kingsport, TN 37660
(423) 246-8155

Ear Nose & Throat
Bruce A Abkes
215 E Watauga Ave
Johnson City, TN 37601
(423) 929-9101

Ear Nose & Throat
Arthur Harris
215 E Watauga Ave
Johnson City, TN 37601
(423) 929-9101

Ear Nose & Throat
Mark Howell
215 E Watauga Ave
Johnson City, TN 37601
(423) 929-9101

Ear Nose & Throat
James F Wood
215 E Watauga Ave
Johnson City, TN 37601
(423) 929-9101

Ear Nose & Throat
Timothy P Zajonc
215 E Watauga Ave
Johnson City, TN 37601
(423) 929-9101

Healthstar Physicians, P.C.
Jeffrey S Adams
711 McFarland St
Morristown, TN 37814
(423) 587-1987

Healthstar Physicians, P.C.
Mike Dillard
711 McFarland St
Morristown, TN 37814
(423) 587-1987

Healthstar Physicians, P.C.
Frank Little
711 McFarland St
Morristown, TN 37814
(423) 587-1987

Francisco Moreno MD
Francisco Moreno
744 Middle Creek Rd
200 STE 3
Sevierville, TN 37862
(865) 428-0960

Kingsport, Tennessee

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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 Kingsport

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Kingsport Hospitals *

HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital
113 Cassell Dr
Kingsport, TN 37660
(423)246-7240

Indian Path Medical Center
2000 Brookside Dr
Kingsport, TN 37660
(423)857-7000

Indian Path Pavilion
2300 Pavilion Dr
Kingsport, TN 37660
(423)857-5500

Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center
130 W Ravine St
Kingsport, TN 37662
(423)224-4000

Quillen Rehabilitation Hospital
2511 Wesley St
Johnson City, TN 37601
(423)952-1700

Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center
1 Medical Park Blvd
Bristol, TN 37620
(423)844-1121

North Side Hospital
401 Princeton Rd
Johnson City, TN 37601
(423)854-5600

Johnson City Medical Center
400 N State of Franklin Rd
Johnson City, TN 37604
(423)431-6111

Johnson City Specialty Hospital
203 E Watauga Ave
Johnson City, TN 37601
(423)434-1400

James H Quillen VA Medical Center
Corner of Lamont & Veterans Way
Mountain Home, TN 37684
(423)926-1171

Woodridge Hospital
403 State of Franklin Rd
Johnson City, TN 37604
(423)928-7111

Sycamore Shoals Hospital
1501 W Elk Ave
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423)542-1300

Wellmont Lonesome Pine Hospital
1990 Holton Ave E
Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
(276)523-3111

Norton Community Hospital
100 15th St NW
Norton, VA 24273
(276)679-9600

Wellmont Hawkins County Memorial Hospital
851 Locust St
Rogersville, TN 37857
(423)921-7000

Mountain View Regional Medical Center
Third St NE
Norton, VA 24273
(276)679-9100

Laughlin Memorial Hospital
1420 Tusculum Blvd
Greeneville, TN 37745
(423)787-5000

Unicoi County Memorial Hospital
100 Greenway Cir
Erwin, TN 37650
(423)743-3141

Lee Regional Medical Center
1800 W Morgan Ave
Pennington Gap, VA 24277
(276)546-1440

Takoma Regional
401 Takoma Ave
Greeneville, TN 37743
(423)639-3151

Johnston Memorial Hospital
351 Court St NE
Abingdon, VA 24210
(276)676-7000

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