Singer and actor IU, 33, has postponed her upcoming September concert tour and the release of her sixth full-length album following a worsening of her chronic ear condition.
Writing on the fan platform Bears on the 20th, IU shared, "Recently, my chronic patulous Eustachian tube symptoms have worsened." She added, "Over the past few years, I think I pushed myself too hard without considering my physical condition because I was so eager to keep working. My ear symptoms have always fluctuated, but lately they have persisted day and night for several consecutive days. When I sing, it has become difficult to regain my vocal control."
"While it does not significantly interfere with daily life, singing is directly tied to the condition of my ears," IU explained. "Specialists advised that proceeding with the concert in my current state would be too physically demanding." Consequently, she announced the postponement of her nationwide tour—which was set to launch in Goyang—along with her sixth full-length album. Reassuring her fans, she expressed her deep regret, adding, "The illness I have is not life-threatening or painful, nor does it make daily life impossible."
At a concert in September 2022, IU previously disclosed her struggle with the illness, stating, "It's not severe, but I've been in a situation where I couldn't control my ears properly for about a year." She added at the time, "My ears deteriorated, making the period from last night through today's rehearsal feel like a hellish time."
What exactly is patulous Eustachian tube, the chronic condition troubling the prominent solo artist?
Patulous Eustachian tube: A condition where the passage remains continuously open
Patulous Eustachian tube is a disorder in which the Eustachian tube—the narrow channel connecting the middle ear to the back of the nose—fails to close properly and remains continuously open even while at rest.
Normally, the Eustachian tube stays closed, opening briefly during swallowing or yawning to equalize pressure in the middle ear. In patulous Eustachian tube, however, the continuous opening causes autophony, a condition where a person's own voice, breathing, or internal body sounds resonate abnormally loud inside the ear.
Patients frequently describe sensations such as their voice echoing as if speaking through a megaphone, feeling air move in and out of the ear with every breath, or a persistent feeling of ear fullness despite normal clinical test results. For singers who rely on precise auditory feedback to control pitch and vocal delivery, this condition poses a severe performance obstacle.
While often confused with the muffled ear sensation experienced during aircraft takeoff or landing, the underlying mechanism is the exact opposite. Altitude changes cause muffled sensations because the Eustachian tube struggles to open. In contrast, patulous Eustachian tube is caused by excessive openness. Although both cause a feeling of ear blockage, the hallmark of patulous Eustachian tube is the loud internal resonance of one's own voice and breathing.
Focusing on symptom management rather than a cure
Although the exact cause remains unknown, rapid weight loss, dehydration, intense physical exertion, hormonal shifts during pregnancy, and certain neuromuscular disorders are recognized risk factors. In particular, a loss of fatty tissue surrounding the Eustachian tube can impair its ability to close fully, though many cases develop without an identifiable cause.
While patulous Eustachian tube is not life-threatening, it is a chronic condition characterized by recurrent flare-ups. Mild cases may resolve spontaneously, but persistent cases can recur over extended periods. Because no definitive cure currently exists to eliminate the underlying cause, clinical treatment focuses primarily on managing and controlling symptoms.
In severe cases, physicians may administer saline drops or mucosal-swelling medications, perform injection therapies at the Eustachian tube opening, or conduct surgical procedures to narrow the passage. However, treatment efficacy varies significantly by individual, requiring tailored therapeutic approaches.
Prioritizing rest, hydration, and condition management
Medical specialists emphasize the importance of avoiding known triggers that exacerbate symptoms. Patients are advised to maintain adequate hydration to prevent dehydration and to avoid extreme dieting or rapid weight loss. Strenuous exercise that leads to fluid loss should also be carefully managed, alongside adequate sleep and rest to maintain overall physical health.
Stress management is equally critical. While stress is not a direct underlying cause of patulous Eustachian tube, fatigue and elevated stress levels can heighten sensory perception or aggravate symptoms. Consequently, medical experts recommend adopting consistent daily health habits and proactive wellness routines.
