The Eustachian tube goes between the middle ear and back of the throat and is there to equalize the air pressure in your middle ear. When you yawn or swallow it opens. That's why yawning pops your ears when you're in an airplane. Often children's Eustachian tubes so not develope and they have chronic issues with fluid in the middle ear that can't drain, so they will have "tubes" installed in their eardrum which allows fluid to drain out of the middle ear into the ear canal.

I currently haven't been able to hear for 3 weeks because of trapped fluid due to some kind of sinus issue. The problem is that the snot gets thicker as it sits in there so it won't drain out. Hopefully it resolves on it's own, but I may have to have my eardrum sliced open and have it sucked out.

[–] AceFuzzLord@lemm.ee 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

One thing I will say about tubes in the ear is that when done right, the procedure for getting them in is pretty painless. Had tubes throughout most of my early childhood, so I don't really remember them, but I did have to get a tube put in within the last 5 or so years. Worst part was the slight burning sensation of the stuff they put in to ensure it wouldn't hurt. Otherwise, no pain whatsoever.

[–] PriorityMotif@lemmy.world 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Did having the tube in affect your healing at all?

[–] AceFuzzLord@lemm.ee 1 points 3 weeks ago

If you mean hearing, then probably as a kid considering I used to get a lot of ear infections. Pretty sure it might have helped last time as well because of the inside being cleared of things blocking sound.

As for healing, it must have been doing something helpful as a kid considering I think I had something like 2-3 sets put in to help with fluid/whatever drainage. And I assume it helped last time considering they found out I needed another one when I went in for an ear infection.

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