People who suffer from chronic or recurrent ear pressure with elevation or flying often have problems with their eustachian tubes. Most often, sufferers have a history of ear infections or ear pressure trauma in the past.
When conservative therapy (Sinus care, ear care, antibiotics, steroids, ear tubes, etc) fail, ear pressure sufferers may benefit from eustachian tube balloon-plasty. This is a straightforward procedure where a small probe with a smooth balloon is placed in the eustachian tubes and inflated for several minutes to dilate the eustachian tubes. This has shown to have some lasting benefits. There is no cutting, burning, or bleeding. It can be done in the office or in the operating room. It is usually covered by insurance.