Patulous Eustachian Tube is a very rare disorder, occurring in 0.3 to 6.6 percent of the general population, in which the Eustachian Tubes (also called auditory tubes) of the ear abnormally remain open. The Eustachian tubes run from the middle ear to the back of the throat and remain closed at all times except during swallowing, yawning, or sneezing.
Symptoms of Patulous Eustachian Tube include autophony (a condition in which your own voice seems unusually loud), tinnitis (a ringing in the ears), a feeling that the ear is stuffed up or clogged (sometimes called “glue ear”), or hearing your own breath sounds (a condition called tympanophonia).
Certain conditions may predispose a person to get Patulous Eustachian Tube including: radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, pregnancy, nasal decongestants, fatigue, stress, and weight loss.
Doctors have tried different chemicals and a wide variety of surgical approaches to treat this condition with mixed results.
Sources:
Baylor College of Medicine. Bobby R. Alford Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. Eustachian Tube Function and Dysfunction. Accessed: November 11, 2009 from http://www.bcm.edu/oto/grand/71196.html
The Ear Foundation. Patulous Eustachian Tube Disorders. Accessed: November 11, 2009 from http://www.earfdn.org/Patulous-Eustachian-Tube-Disorders-Article.htm
