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Adult Ear Pressure CareRoanoke, VA

Ears feel clogged again?

Pressure, popping, muffled hearing, or flying pain can be signs of Eustachian tube dysfunction. Start with an ENT evaluation to see whether balloon dilation may fit your symptoms.

Ear pressure evaluation
Adult ETD care
Balloon dilation option
ENT-led evaluation - Candidacy first - No self-diagnosis
Dr. Paul Lenkowski
Doctor Spotlight
Board-Certified Otolaryngologist
Dr. PaulLenkowski
A clearer path for earpressure

Start with an ENT conversation.

Roanoke EarCare

Adult ear pressure care for patients at Roanoke Valley ENT and Allergy.

Ears feeling clogged again?
Ear pressure can be sign of Eustachian tube dysfunction.
Dr. Paul Lenkowski
Board-Certified Otolaryngologist
Adult ETD Focus
Evaluation for pressure, fullness, popping, and muffled hearing.
Roanoke, VA
Roanoke Valley ENT & Allergy
Candidacy First
Learn whether balloon dilation is a fit before deciding on care.
Sound familiar?

When ear pressure starts running your day

Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD) symptoms can feel small to everyone else and exhausting to you. If your ears keep feeling plugged, full, muffled, or painful with altitude changes, it may be time to look beyond temporary fixes.

Ears feel clogged
A plugged or full feeling keeps coming back, even when there is no obvious wax problem.
Popping and crackling
You keep trying to clear your ears, but the pressure never fully resets.
Muffled hearing
Sounds feel dampened or distorted because pressure is not equalizing normally.
Flying or altitude pain
Flights, mountains, or elevation changes trigger pressure that is hard to tolerate.
The solution

A balloon-based option for chronic obstructive ETD

Your Eustachian tubes help drain fluid and equalize pressure in the middle ear. When they do not open or close normally, patients can feel fullness, popping, muffled hearing, and pressure that lingers.

For adults with chronic obstructive Eustachian tube dysfunction, balloon dilation may be discussed after an ENT evaluation. The goal is to determine whether the procedure fits your symptoms, exam findings, and treatment history.

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Procedure Flow
How It Works

A modern care path designed to make the next step clear.

1
Symptom review
Talk through pressure, fullness, popping, muffled hearing, fluid, and flying-related pain.
2
ENT evaluation
Your specialist checks for ETD and other causes that can mimic a blocked ear feeling.
3
Candidacy discussion
If chronic obstructive ETD is likely, ask whether balloon dilation may be an option.
4
Clear next step
Leave with a plan for medical management, further testing, or a procedure discussion if appropriate.
Why patients choose it

Why patients ask about Eustachian tube dilation

Addresses the pressure pathway
Balloon dilation is designed to help open the Eustachian tube for appropriate adult obstructive ETD candidates.
Moves past guesswork
Connect your symptoms to an ENT evaluation instead of cycling through short-term fixes alone.
Built around candidacy
The conversation starts with whether your history and exam point to this option.
Better travel conversations
If flying or altitude changes trigger pain, learn what may be causing it and what options fit.
Is this right for you?

Schedule Your Visit

Chronic ear pressure or fullness
Ears pop, crackle, or will not clear
Muffled hearing or fluid sensations
Symptoms keep returning after short-term care
Schedule your visit
Start with a consultation.

Tell the practice what you are feeling now. The team can help you schedule the right visit and discuss whether Eustachian tube dilation should be part of the conversation.

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Screening only, not a diagnosis
Dr. Paul Lenkowski
Dr. Paul Lenkowski
Board-Certified Otolaryngologist
Your specialist

Dr. Paul Lenkowski

Board-Certified Otolaryngologist - Roanoke, VA

Paul Lenkowski, MD, PhD is a board-certified otolaryngologist and head, neck, and sinus surgeon at Roanoke Valley ENT & Allergy. His profile highlights ENT/allergy experience, individualized treatment planning, Rutgers chemical engineering training, MD/PhD work at the University of Virginia, and otolaryngology residency at the University of Iowa.

Board certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology.
Trained at Rutgers, the University of Virginia School of Medicine, and the University of Iowa otolaryngology residency program.
ROVA's ETD page says Dr. Lenkowski is equipped to treat ETD and tailor care for each patient's symptoms.
The practice

Care that starts with being heard

ROVA ENT treats ear, nose, throat, sinus, allergy, and hearing concerns in Roanoke, including eustachian tube dysfunction for patients with ear pressure, fullness, muffled hearing, popping, or pain.

ETD evaluation: the ROVA page describes diagnosis through symptom review plus examination of the ear canals, eardrums, nasal passages, and back of the throat.
Layered treatment options: care may include allergy treatment, medications, myringotomy, pressure-equalization tubes, or ET dilation depending on the cause and severity.
Balloon dilation option: for ET dilation, the page says Dr. Lenkowski uses a catheter and small balloon to help open the eustachian tube so air and mucus can flow properly.
Location
Visit Roanoke Valley ENT and Allergy
4633 Brambleton Ave,
Cave Spring VA 24018
Roanoke Valley ENT and Allergy
4633 Brambleton Ave,
Cave Spring VA 24018
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What to expect

How adult Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD) evaluation works

1
Share the pattern
Describe when the fullness, popping, muffled hearing, or flying pain shows up.
2
Check common causes
Your ENT can look for ETD, fluid, infection, allergy-related swelling, or other ear issues.
3
Discuss realistic options
Review what you have tried and whether medical management or balloon dilation should be considered.
4
Life with a clearer plan
Patients often come in wanting one thing: to understand why their ears keep feeling blocked and what can be done next.
Patient outcomes

What patients say after treatment

4.8
150+
Life after treatment
Stop guessing about your ears

A focused ENT evaluation can turn months of pressure, popping, and uncertainty into a practical next step.

"He put tubes in our oldest daughters ears when she was about 18 months old and called on a Sat to check on her!"
Ashley
Verified Patient
"For years I have experienced chronic ear issues with eczema. Dr. Lenkowski’s diagnosis and treatment was spot on."
Donna
Verified Patient
"he thoroughly examined my ears, nose, throat and neck and ask questions."
Anonymous
Verified Patient
Common questions

Everything you need to know

How do I know if this is ETD?

Symptoms like fullness, popping, muffled hearing, and pressure with flying can fit ETD, but an ENT exam is needed to rule out other causes.

Is balloon dilation right for everyone?

No. It is generally considered for selected adults with chronic obstructive ETD, and candidacy depends on your history and exam.

What if sprays or antibiotics have not helped?

That history is worth discussing. Your ENT can review what you have tried and whether a different treatment path may make sense.

Can I ask about coverage?

Yes. Coverage varies by payer and criteria, so the practice can help you understand the next step after evaluation.

What happens during an ENT evaluation for ear pressure?

During an ENT evaluation for ear pressure at ROVA ENT, Dr. Lenkowski will review symptoms like ear fullness, muffled hearing, ear pain, ringing, dizziness, or trouble clearing your ears during altitude changes. He may examine your ears, nose, throat, and neck to look for causes such as fluid, infection, allergies, sinus issues, or Eustachian tube dysfunction. If Eustachian tube dysfunction is suspected, the team may discuss treatment options such as medication, allergy or sinus care, or Eustachian tube balloon dilation, an in-office procedure designed to help open the tube and relieve chronic ear pressure.

Still have questions?

Still wondering whether your clogged-ear symptoms deserve care? Start with a focused ENT conversation.

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Ready to move forward?

Ready to stop guessing?

Start with a short request and the team can help you schedule an adult ETD evaluation.

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