I've been having problems with my ears for several months now. The problem may be from severe teeth clenching and TMD/TMJ but I'm not sure. I'm going to the doctor soon but I'd like opinions from others before I do go.

My problem is that the one ear has been plugged most of the time. Sometimes it pops open but usually closes after changing positions or even smiling. The other ear has this pulsating or throbbing in it that's just plain annoying. But recently I went on a trip which involved going over the mountains. Both on the way over and on the way back as I reached a certain point, my ear popped open. Of course, after I got out of the car and picked up my bags, my ear closed again. But I found it very odd that going over the mountains caused my ear to pop open. Several years ago I had swimmer's ear and went over this same mountain and it caused my ear to become incredibly painful to the point where I had to turn around and go back home to see my doctor because I was in so much pain. I expected the same thing to happen this time but it didn't.
Any ideas on why my ear popped open rather than just staying shut and becoming painful?

hi, look up patulous eustachian tubes, see if this helps, this is how mine started with the popping, now it is much worse. good luck, libby