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

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Eustachian Tube Problems Center - Meridian, ID

Meridian 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 Meridian *

Saltzer Medical Group
Donald J Beasley
520 S Eagle Rd
Meridian, ID 83642
(208) 463-3000

Lance W Coleman MD
Lance W Coleman
520 S Eagle Rd
STE 1223
Meridian, ID 83642
(208) 888-4368

Kathryn L McMullan MD
Kathryn L McMullan
323 E Riverside Dr
STE 234
Eagle, ID 83616
(208) 938-4080

Southwest Idaho ENT PA
Jill Beck
900 N Liberty St
STE 400
Boise, ID 83704
(208) 367-3320

Southwest Idaho ENT PA
Eric T Garner
900 N Liberty St
STE 400
Boise, ID 83704
(208) 367-3320

Southwest Idaho ENT PA
A C Jones
900 N Liberty St
STE 400
Boise, ID 83704
(208) 367-3320

Southwest Idaho ENT PA
Todd Rustad
900 N Liberty St
STE 400
Boise, ID 83704
(208) 367-3320

Southwest Idaho ENT PA
Matthew Schwarz
900 N Liberty St
STE 400
Boise, ID 83704
(208) 367-3320

Idaho Ear Nose & Throat
Darrell A Kammer
1615 12th Ave Rd
STE C
Nampa, ID 83686
(800) 553-7418

Vernon Goltry MD
Vernon Goltry
200 N 3rd St
STE STE 203
Boise, ID 83702
(208) 342-8952

Russell Snow DO
Russell T Snow
1202 E Locust St
Emmett, ID 83617
(208) 454-2050

Meridian, Idaho

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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 Meridian

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Meridian Hospitals *

St Luke's Meridian Medical Center
520 S Eagle Rd
Meridian, ID 83642
(208)706-5000

Treasure Valley Hospital
8800 W Emerald St
Boise, ID 83704
(208)373-5000

Sunhealth Behavioral Health System for Boise
8050 Northview St
Boise, ID 83704
(208)327-0504

Intermountain Hospital
303 N Allumbaugh St
Boise, ID 83704
(208)377-8400

Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center
1055 N Curtis Rd
Boise, ID 83706
(208)367-2121

Mercy Medical Center
1512 12th Ave Rd
Nampa, ID 83686
(208)467-1171

Boise VA Medical Center
500 W Fort St
Boise, ID 83702
(208)422-1000

Idaho Elks Rehabilitation Hospital
600 N Robbins Rd
Boise, ID 83702
(208)489-4444

St Luke's Regional Medical Center
190 E Bannock St
Boise, ID 83712
(208)381-2222

West Valley Medical Center
1717 Arlington Ave
Caldwell, ID 83605
(208)459-4641

Walter Knox Memorial Hospital
1202 E Locust St
Emmett, ID 83617
(208)365-3561

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