Do your ears ever feel plugged, full, or like they won’t “pop”? In this episode of Monday Health Minutes, Melanie Shafer talks with Valley Health ENT physician assistant Tiffany Aeling about Eustachian tube dysfunction — a common cause of ear pressure, muffled hearing, popping, dizziness, and discomfort after colds, allergies, flying, or elevation changes.
In this episode, we’ll discuss:
- What the Eustachian tube actually does
- Why your ears pop during flights or mountain drives
- Common causes of ear pressure and fullness
- Over-the-counter treatments that may help
- Symptoms that could signal a bigger problem
- When to see an ENT specialist
- How allergies and congestion affect the ears
- What a Valsalva maneuver is
- Why fluid can build up in the middle ear