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?

[healthbunny33]

I've had chronic ear popping for years. It started after I got a middle ear infection when I was a kid. It never went away. The good thing is I don't think it is life threatening, as I probably had it since I was 7 or 8 (when I got the ear infection) and now I am 36. Went to doctors over the years and one said eustachian tube dysfunction. ENT specialist looked at it and checked my hearing and said no harm done to anything so don't worry about it. I've lived with this constant ear popping for so long that I'm just used to it. Doesn't really bother my quality of life. Yes it happens everytime i swallow, yawn. I can even make it pop by pushing air from the back of my throat. and I feel the air going in to the middle ear. Its a bit weird but doesnt appear to do any harm. Anyhow docs don't really suggest doing anything about it so I'm fine living with it.

[sawyerjames]

I've had this for 4 years.... Been through 6 ents

[akimme]

Based on what I've read from the comments, this problem is caused from multiple ear infections. Is there anything that can cause it?! I've never had an ear infection! Been dealing with this in BOTH ears for 2 years now. Needless to say, it's extremely annoying. My husband gets aggravated because I'm constantly asking him to repeat everything he says.

[thewilder]

Lol, 8 year old thread.

I have the same popping, dizzying sensation for 3 years now. No doctor could've helped so far. I'm afraid this is here to stay.

[lamoracke42]

Well, I will add myself to the growing list of never ending ear popping. First off, I can hear, so at least that is good. I know the exact day this started, I had a 3 hour flight and my ears never stopped popping, every time I swallow or yawn. It has not gone away. Have had a hearing and balance test, have gone to an ear specialist, have tried decongestants, flonase, mucinex (disgusting stuff), all to no avail. My cheeks also hurt as a result of this and sometimes my teeth do as well. I also get dizzy a bit more. I used to have TMJ issues like 20 years ago but I do not have the jaw clicking or grinding or those issues so I do not think its due to that but obviously its hard to know for 100% certainty as its all in the same area. So, its been 3 months and a week and counting. My ENT doctor recommended a tube in my ear but it seemed that this course would offer no relief as my ear pressure was fine so it seemed unnecessary (and reinforced by a few comments here in this thread). So, hoping this gets better some day but not having a lot of faith reading this thread right now.

[Swiftendure]

My left ear problem happened early in my life with liquid rushing out; causing a hospital visit, and weeks sleeping under a humidifier with Epson Salts, perhaps years from time to time I can't recall, but the problem ended. It has now returned without the liquid amen, but the sudden on and off deafness is unbearable. With decades of stress and injuries I fear that I could develop a brain tumor. My plan is to simplify my investments, and return to the humidifier.