Ear popping when swallowing

[ranajjar]

For the past month, I've had a constant popping/clicking sound in my left ear.  It happens when I swallow and is pretty loud.  I went to the ENT and he looked at my sinuses and did a pressure test but everything seemed normal except i was a little swollen. He also cleaned my ears out, which ultimately didn't help the problem. I don't know if maybe it is a problem with my Eustachian tube or muscles/tendons/bones.  I tried Zyrtec and Sudafed but it didn't help.  I know its not life-threatening or anything, but its really annoying to live with.  Is there any advice on how to get rid of this?

[ranajjar]

This problem started 4-5 months into pregnancy, so I don't know if maybe that has something to do with it. Some things that are strange are that if i swallow right after I yawn, the clicking doesn't happen for a couple seconds..then it comes back though of course. I'm scared that its such a rare problem that itll never get diagnosed or fixed. I can't sleep at night and i get angry often.
Sometimes it sounds like it happens in both ears when i swallow and other times just the left. my ear(s) go through so many different phases throughout the day- sometimes no clicking at all when I swallow. its very bad at night- cant sleep.

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hi, I understand what you are trying to explain. There are tubes called ‘Eustachian tubes’ which connect the middle ear to the throat, this balances the air pressure in the ears. So, every time you swallow air goes through these tubes and can cause the popping sound. Now why does this happen only for some people? This is because of an entity called Eustachian tubes dysfunction, where the tubes do not function well. The tubes can also be blocked in Eustachian tubes dysfunction. The blockage can be intermittent. So, when the air goes through intermittently you get the sensation. Check with your doctor regarding this. Regards.

[ranajjar]

I also need to clarify that EVERYTHING IS NORMAL with my ears- NO fluid or pressure or infection, so please don't suggest that!!! It is suggested every time and is totally not the issue as to what is causing my problem. I feel nothing wrong with my middle ear, is just the sound that happens.