For three weeks now, I hear a crack/pop sound when I swallow and some ringing when it's quiet in bed, etc. THree weeks ago, I went to the mountains here in NC for a day trip, no ear problems (I fly, go to mountains often). The next day, I noticed slight pain in my right ear when I 'flexed' the inside of it, or stuck my finger in and created any suction. Thought it would go away.
Next day I noticed loud crack in both ears when I swallowed. Very irritating, I can't sleep and I'm thinking I'm doomed to this the rest of my life. THe original pain went away. THen next day, left ear started hurting, aching. Doc gave Sudafed and Rhinocort, said there was fluid in my ears. No good. Then another doc gave prescrip pseudoph/guisafe, Rhincort, then started me on Prednisone for 10 days. Had terrible left ear ache that went away. Still clicking. Doesn't click when i close both ears, or put pillows over them to sleep, or when I eat.
Went to ENT, he said he saw no fluid and would be happy to put tubes in my ears to open them up and let the Eustachian tubes return to normal - that he does this type of thing for lots of adults. I said I'd wait, he said to blow into my ears holding my nose several times a day and come back to see him.

SO (thanks for reading this far) - I"m thinking to get the tubes put in after a couple mroe weeks, and getting tested for allergies.

Waht is going on?? Allergies?

Did the mountains have anything to do with it?

How LONG will this clicking go on? And ringing in bed? Will tubes help it?

Any info would be TERRIFIC!!! I am losing my mind over here with this clicking crap----

Oh my God, I'm so glad that somebody else on earth has this!

I actually remember developing this as a 4 or 5 year old. I am now 25 and I still have it! I haven't gone a day without having cracks whenever i swallow! I guess I'm more fortunate than u in getting it at an early age as it doesn't bother me at all, even at night but I'm sure u'll get used to it!

This is my first post outside the asthma forum!

AHHH! A reply! I am so happy to see you!!!!

OK so since this post, I have been tested for allergies (none), gone to my ENT guy again for tubes (he ended up not putting them in, said they would do no good). My hearing and tympanogram (test for pressure) is perfect. He said this is a freak, freak thing and I might as well get used to it, it could last weeks, months or years or forever. AGG! I have good days and bad days -- I think what gets me is my left ear goes..crack,pop ...and my right ear just goes crack. The left is definately louder. He said this is very rare, don't know what causes it and nothing he can do really, unless I want to try more meds. No thanks! I've already been on prednisone, Rhinocort, Sudafed, prescript Sudafed, week of Singular and Clarinex.....I"m through with meds. (I want to have a baby, and this is delaying us trying...)

It's been 2 months and a week!

Yes, I honestly think this is a quite pemanent condition caused by a permanent allergy. It ties into the fact that I have asthma. I would imagine my Eustachian tubes are producing fluid all the time in my ear which leads to the sensation of cracking. I don't know why he was testing your ear drum! Its obviously a Eustachian problem if it happens when u swallow or yawn! Doctors :rolleyes: !