I need help, please... I'm going to check this out with a physician if it continues but I wanted to ask here first because I know there are some very knowledgeable people here.

I have mild tinnitus because of exposure to loud music, and I know what the dizzying, uncomfortable ringing is like :( But in the last few weeks, something else has come up. What happens is:

In my left ear (and left ear only), after a loud, short sound like a clap or a door closing or even when I yell a short syllable like "Aaaa!" I hear a popping noise in my left ear, it's hard to describe but it's irritating and annoying and it's like sometimes when you put your finger into your ear and wiggle around, you can hear a sort of popping crunch thing -- or when you basically pop your ears. It always happens after a loud, short sound and never goes away. If I clap my hands next to my ear over and over, it keeps happening.

This has been going on for a few weeks now and am increasingly concerned because it has not gone away. Does anyone know what this condition is called, and if in the meantime, there are treatments I can help myself with (apart from staying away from loud noise) like medical supplements or anything like that?

Thanks so much, I'm worried. :(