Constant Ear Popping

[emrnyc]

For the past couple of years, I've had a constant popping/crackling in my ears.  I hear it when I swallow, yawn, etc.  I went to the ENT and he did a tympanometry test that came back normal, but said the he could hear the crackling when he listened in my ears.  There may be a problem with my Eustacian tube or, better yet, the muscles behind it.  He said there isn't much to do but maybe try an antihistamine which hasn't worked.  Even though its not life-threatening, its very frustrating to live with this!  Is there anything else, at all, to do to get rid of this noise?

[quasarjones]

Hi all: to anyone reading this in 2015 or later, there is now a Facebook group for people struggling with similar issues. Please join and share your stories of success (or lack thereof!)  It's called "EAR POPPING CLICKING EUSTACHIAN TUBE SUPPORT GROUP."  Best of luck.

[bethany24585]

I tried both at the same time and it did not help me but I have constant popping everytime I swallow among many other ear issues. every person is different. I would give it a try but unfortunatley it didnt work for me. I was given a low dose of steroids I think though for only a week. I read that the recommended dose is supposed to be higher than what I was given. Maybe I wouldnt be still dizzy 24/7 literally and have ear popping if I was given a higher dose. Dunno.

[bmjones0929]

Have you heard of TMJ? Temporomandibular Joint Disorder /  temporomandibular disorders (TMD)? I saw an ENT Specialist and he said I have TMJ, Rhinitis and a deviated septum. I think / assume one or all of these are the cause of it.  Your temporomandibular joint is a hinge that connects your jaw to the temporal bones of your skull, which are in front of each ear.  It lets you move your jaw up and down and side to side, so you can talk, chew, and yawn. He told me that the constant popping of this joint is interpreted by our brains as "Ear Pain."  But I'm pretty sure I'm not crazy and this definitely seems like Ear Pain. It feels like the worst airplane ride of my life as far as ear pressure, 24/7. I desperately wish I could just "Pop" my ear like you do after a plane ride....you know that REALLY good pop that's like an explosion of awesomeness, yet painful, that finally clears the pressure and you feel normal again? I so desperately want that to happen and be normal again. It can be caused by Grinding or clenching your teeth (Bruxism, which he said I also have), which puts a lot of pressure on the joint. I started using a night guard ($30 at walmart) but chewed the hell out of it. I think it did help for a while. Need to start using it again to see if it does keep me from having pain because it's so horrible it gives me a headache. I feel like it's almost an OCD I can't control or stop myself from popping it constantly, or maybe I'm not really trying to? I don't know, all I know is it's maddening!!! Anyways, hopefully that was helpful to someone. Definitely see an ENT, ask about TMJ / TMD and Bruxism.

[EardrumHelpNeeded]

Thank you so much, stuffsie, for posting.  I'll try the vinegar.  I believe that my issue has more to do, though, with the fact that my perforation was large (4 mm) and yet still closed in on its own.  I've read that the maturation phase of eardrum healing can take up to 6 months (even a year).  I am more distressed with the crackling/crunching sound in that ear rather than the popping.  No fluid in the middle ear means it pops.  Any kind of fluid behind the drum and it's a deafening crackle/crunch.  I don't ever get sinus infections.  I'll try the vinegar, as you suggested.  Please, if you know anyone with a similar issue, post again as soon as possible.  I assume it's an eardrum issue and not a middle ear bone issue, but I could be wrong.  The crackling/crunching in that damaged (yet healed) ear is deafening and causes me a great deal of anxiety whenever I swallow.

Chris

[stuffsie]

I had a very bad sinus infection a few weeks ago, and after I came out the other side, I had popping in my right ear.  I had never experienced this before.  It did not go along with my heartbeat, got worse in the evening and especially was worse/noticeable when I would lie down to sleep.  I was pretty disheartened when I found this forum and read all the posts about people with this problem who had been to doctors and/or tried various things and still had the problem...some for years!  I just wanted to let you know that after reading one of the posts about putting vinegar in the ear, I thought it wouldn't hurt to try.  I poured apple cider vinegar in my ear and stopped it up with a cotton ball, straightened up and left it for a few minutes, then tilted my head over the sink and let it drain back out.  I noticed the room was spinning after I stood back up, so I went and sat down.  After a few minutes I was fine.  NO POPPING ever since!  I don't know how it worked, but it did!!!  I don''t know if any fluid poured in the ear (peroxide, oil, etc) would have worked the same, or if it was the vinegar specifically.

[EardrumHelpNeeded]

I had the same experience as you a few months ago.  Slap to the head, causing a 4-mm eardrum perforation.  The perforation closed in about two months ago, but I'm now plagued with crackling, clicking and popping every time I swallow.  Two ENT docs thought I was crazy when I explained this to them.  The third, fortunately, agreed with me that it's likely the new tissue simply hasn't regained any real tensile strength yet (more vibrations = more sound).  I hope this is the case and that I'm not plagued with this the rest of my life.  Can you update me on your condition?  -***@****

[Maxpayne_9]

Hi friend how ur crackling noise is it gone ? I waw its been four years already