Patulous Eustachian Tube

The Eustachian tube is a canal connecting the middle ear and the nasopharynx, whose function is to maintain the balance of air pressure inside and outside the tympanic cavity. The Eustachian tube is normally closed and opens momentarily only during actions such as swallowing, yawning, opening the mouth wide, and blowing the nose, allowing for gas exchange within the tympanic cavity. Patulous Eustachian tube (PET) refers to symptoms caused by the Eustachian tube pharyngeal opening remaining frequently open due to paralysis or atrophy of the pharyngeal muscles. This condition is common in individuals with a habit of sniffing and those with certain chronic diseases. The main symptoms include low-pitched tinnitus and autophony (difficulty hearing others speak, but hearing one's own voice too loudly).