At a Glance
- 59-year-old singer Eric Hollaway cleared nasal polyps with balloon sinuplasty after 23 years of allergy shots.
- The procedure lasted 30 minutes and was performed on June 13, 2023.
- Hollaway now breathes freely, resumes allergy shots, and reports a fuller voice and renewed energy.
Why it matters: Balloon sinuplasty can offer a quick, minimally invasive cure for chronic sinus blockage, transforming daily life for millions with nasal polyps.
Eric Hollaway’s story began in St. Petersburg, Fla., where he lived with his wife Traci and their three grown children for 55 years. A lifelong allergy sufferer, Hollaway had relied on preventative shots for decades to relieve the severe congestion, sneezing and fatigue that came every spring. When his longtime allergist moved away, he let the shots lapse. The result was a worsening of breathing difficulties that threatened his livelihood as a singer and voice-over actor.
From Allergies to Airway Blockage
Hollaway’s breathing problems escalated to the point where he could not perform voice-over readings for commercials. “I was getting so tired with the constant sneezing and stuffiness,” he said. “My agents were calling me to do readings, and I couldn’t do it.”
During the years he pursued a voice career-recording his own jazz album Jazzish in 2024 and working on commercials for brands such as Mercedes-Benz and Geico-he also struggled with chronic sinusitis. He had been taking allergy shots since 1992, but after his allergist left St. Petersburg in 2015, he stopped the shots. By 2022, symptoms had worsened enough to “really affect my livelihood.”
The Search for a Permanent Fix
In June 2023, after researching treatment options, Hollaway decided to try a balloon sinuplasty. The procedure involves a tiny balloon catheter that opens blocked sinus passages in about 30 minutes. He was a candidate because imaging showed his nasal passages were “pretty much closed up in a lot of places.”
> “I was all numbed up so I didn’t feel anything,” Hollaway recalled. “But I could hear all this cracking as she’s going up through my nasal passages, opening them up with these little balloons.”
Balloon Sinuplasty Explained
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Procedure | 30-minute, minimally invasive |
| Equipment | Balloon catheter |
| Goal | Open blocked sinus passages |
| Typical Recovery | Immediate relief, no major downtime |
Dr. William Yao, an associate professor and rhinologist at UT Health, Houston, explained that nasal polyps-clusters of noncancerous growths-often develop in people with allergies. “The body overreacts to the environment and causes a lot of inflammation and swelling, which leads to polyp formation,” he said.
Dr. Mariah Pate, medical director of Tampa Bay Breathe Free Sinus and Allergy Centers and Hollaway’s doctor, added: “When the sinuses become obstructed or walled off because of an infection or some other issue, it starts to swell because it’s so inflamed.”
A Life-Changing Recovery
Within days of the procedure, Hollaway reported a dramatic improvement. “Once I healed up, I literally cried because for the first time in my life I could just wake up and breathe,” he said. He resumed his weekly allergy shots as a preventative measure.
He described the change in his voice: “Getting relief didn’t just help my health; it gave me back energy and presence in my work. My voice has a more resonant and fuller sound.”
Hollaway, now a grandfather of six, said the surgery allowed him to enjoy life again. “I was like, ‘Oh my goodness, this is amazing!'” he laughed.
Expert Insight
Experts estimate that 13 million Americans suffer from nasal polyps, which can cause congestion, headaches, and a loss of taste and smell. The balloon sinuplasty procedure offers a quick, less invasive alternative to traditional surgery for many of these patients.
> “It’s a game changer for people who have lived with chronic sinusitis for years,” Dr. Yao noted.
Life After Surgery
Since his recovery, Hollaway has returned to full-time voice work, including commercial recordings for major brands. He also shares a love for food and cooking with Traci, and they enjoy spending time together as empty nesters.
He reflected on listening to his body: “As I get older, I’m listening to my body more. I waited longer than I should have because I thought I could just push through. And now I feel incredibly grateful.”
> “Breathing should never be something you have to fight for.”
Takeaway
- Balloon sinuplasty can provide immediate relief for chronic nasal blockage caused by allergies and polyps.
- The procedure is quick, minimally invasive, and can restore normal breathing and voice quality.
- Hollaway’s experience highlights the potential life-changing impact for patients suffering from long-standing sinus issues.
For those with persistent nasal congestion, consulting a specialist about balloon sinuplasty may offer a new path to breathing freely again.
