Patulous Eustachian tube (PET) is the name of a physical disorder where the Eustachian tube, which is normally closed, instead stays intermittently open. When this occurs, the person experiences autophony, the hearing of self-generated sounds. These sounds, such as ones own breathing, voice, and heartbeat, vibrate directly onto the ear drum and can create a "bucket on the head" effect. PET is a form of eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD), which is said to be present in about 1 percent of the general population. Signs and symptoms
With patulous Eustachian tube, variations in upper airway pressure associated with respiration are transmitted to the middle ear through the Eustachian tube. This causes an unpleasant fullness feeling in the middle ear and alters the auditory perception. Complaints seem to include muffled hearing and autophony. In addition, patulous Eustachian tube generally feels dry with no clogged feeling or sinus pressure. Patients hear their own voice or its echo from inside. They describe it as being amplified and unpleasant. Lying head down  may help since it increases venous blood pressure and congestion of the mucosa. Causes
Patulous Eustachian tube is a physical disorder. The exact causes may vary depending on the person. Weight loss is a commonly cited cause of the disorder due to the nature of the Eustachian tube itself and is associated with approximately one-third of reported cases. Fatty tissues hold the tube closed most of the time in healthy individuals.
For example, there is the case of the early attempts at surgical correction involving injections of tetrafluoroetheylene (Teflon) paste but although this treatment was able to give transient relief, it was discontinued due to several deaths that resulted from inadvertent intracarotid injections.Although a temporary solution, surgical ventilation tube placement in the ear drum has also proven to be an effective treatment option. This treatment is known as either a unilateral or bilateral myringotomy. 50% of patients reported relief of PET symptoms when given this treatment. References


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