Mobile 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 - Mobile, AL

Mobile 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 Mobile *

Premier Medical Group
William C Bryars
2880 Dauphin St
Mobile, AL 36606
(251) 473-1900

Premier Medical Group
Mark R Gacek
2880 Dauphin St
Mobile, AL 36606
(251) 473-1900

Premier Medical Group
J Mark Harison
2880 Dauphin St
Mobile, AL 36606
(251) 473-1900

Premier Medical Group
Wiley H Justice
2880 Dauphin St
Mobile, AL 36606
(251) 473-1900

Premier Medical Group
Michael Rhodes Lee
2880 Dauphin St
Mobile, AL 36606
(251) 473-1900

Premier Medical Group
Ronnie E Swain
2880 Dauphin St
Mobile, AL 36606
(251) 473-1900

Premier Medical Group
John S Wilson
2880 Dauphin St
Mobile, AL 36606
(251) 473-1900

Lyons Cosmetic & Laser Surgery Center
Michael B Lyons
3664 College Ln S
Mobile, AL 36608
(251) 344-0044

Premier Medical Group
Barry L Brown
3701 Dauphin St
Mobile, AL 36608
(251) 341-3368

Premier Medical Group
Kimberly A Elliott
3701 Dauphin St
Mobile, AL 36608
(251) 341-3368

Premier Medical Group
Alfred Neumann
3701 Dauphin St
Mobile, AL 36608
(251) 341-3368

Premier Medical Group
James K Pitcock
3701 Dauphin St
Mobile, AL 36608
(251) 341-3368

Premier Medical Group
James R Spires
3701 Dauphin St
Mobile, AL 36608
(251) 341-3368

USA Surgery Dept
Frederick Silver
3401 Medical Park Dr
STE 101
Mobile, AL 36693
(251) 665-8110

Ear, Nose & Throat Center PA
John S Keebler
6701 Airport Blvd
STE B123
Mobile, AL 36608
(251) 633-2323

Premier Medical Group
P Van Crocker
610 Providence Park Dr E
Building 2 STE 202
Mobile, AL 36695
(251) 635-0919

Eastern Shore Ear Nose & Throat Clinic
Frank K Hixon
188 Hospital Dr
STE 101
Fairhope, AL 36532
(251) 928-0300

Eastern Shore Ear Nose & Throat Clinic
William Norris
188 Hospital Dr
STE 101
Fairhope, AL 36532
(251) 928-0300

Carl M Nechtman Jr. MD
Carl M Nechtman
825 N Alston St
Foley, AL 36535
(251) 970-5430

Michael C Hoffman MD PC
Michael C Hoffman
1506 N McKinsey St
STE 105
Foley, AL 36535
(251) 968-5840

Mobile, 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 Mobile

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Mobile Hospitals *

USA Children's & Women's Hospital
1700 Center St
Mobile, AL 36604
(251)415-1000

JLB Rotary Rehabilitation Hospital
5 Mobile Infirmary Cir
Mobile, AL 36652
(251)435-3400

Mobile Infirmary Medical Center
5 Mobile Infirmary Cir
Mobile, AL 36607
(251)435-2400

USA Medical Center
2451 Fillingim St
Mobile, AL 36617
(251)471-7000

Springhill Medical Center
3719 Dauphin St
Mobile, AL 36608
(251)344-9630

Infirmary West Hospital
5600 Girby Rd
Mobile, AL 36693
(251)660-5120

Providence Hospital
6801 Airport Blvd
Mobile, AL 36608
(251)633-1000

Mercy Medical
101 Villa Dr
Daphne, AL 36526
(251)621-4400

Thomas Hospital
750 Morphy Ave
Fairhope, AL 36532
(251)928-2375

North Baldwin Infirmary
1815 Hand Ave
Bay Minette, AL 36507
(251)937-5521

South Baldwin Regional Medical Center
1613 North McKenzie St
Foley, AL 36535
(251)949-3400

Searcy Hospital
725 E Coysmith Hwy
Mount Vernon, AL 36560
(251)662-6700

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