The International Tinnitus Journal

Water wash should be the ideal initial treatment for Adult Allergic Eustachian tube dysfunction - A Report

Jim Philip*, Philip Jim

Persistent eustachian tube dysfunction can lead to chronic middle ear complications. The most common cause of eustachian tube dysfunction in adults is due to allergic rhinosinusitis. In most instances the allergic insult is not initially readily apparent. The present approach to the treatment of adult allergic eustachian tube dysfunction is using nasal steroids and oral histamines, even though there are no randomized controlled trials supporting such a treatment. I developed eustachian tube dysfunction and tinnitus after inhaling dust from reusing an improperly stored mask during COVID time. I had mild relief of tinnitus with nasal steroids, and oral anti histamines, but the retraction of my left ear drum persisted. The present treatments unfortunately do not focus on removing the allergen from the nasal cavity. I used water from a reliable source to irrigate my nasal passages with a syringe, which completely removed the allergen from my nasal passages, and my left tympanic membrane retraction was completely reversed, with almost complete resolution of tinnitus. So, water wash along with a targeted history taking should be the ideal initial approach to treat persistent allergic eustachian tube dysfunction. Nasal steroids should be only a adjunctive treatment.