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What Causes Popping Sound In Ear While Swallowing And Pressure Behind Ear?

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Posted on Thu, 8 Oct 2015
Question: My high frequency hearing has disappeared overnight. I went to the dr and he told me there's no wax and no fluid however my ear drum looked like there was pressure behind it and therefore that why I couldn't hear. He gave me nasonex to open up the Eustachian tube but my ears pop every single time I swallow and have my entire life. So how is there pressure behind the drum?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (54 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
There is air beyond the ear drum and it connects with the throat

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone carefully through the details and it seems to be due to a common cold which may be associated with an allergic reaction (the reason behind your saying that you have it all your life). The middle ear cavity contains air and the Eustachian tube equalizes the pressure between the middle ear (i.e. beyond your ear drum) with that inside the throat. But if the Eustachian tube(s) get blocked due to mucus, even after the pop of the swallowing, the patency of the tube is not restored and hence pressure differences remain (it could be either high or low inside).

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (1 hour later)
That makes sense except that I don't have a cold either... allergies, congestion nothing.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Steam inhalation and gurgling with lukewarm water can help

Detailed Answer:
It is hard to comment without clinical examination or without looking at the investigative findings. But allergic reactions associated with common cold are frequently associated with high frequency loss. You can talk to your ENT physician if he could think of any other probable cause.

Regards
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1954

Answered : 4467 Questions

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What Causes Popping Sound In Ear While Swallowing And Pressure Behind Ear?

Brief Answer: There is air beyond the ear drum and it connects with the throat Detailed Answer: Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic. I have gone carefully through the details and it seems to be due to a common cold which may be associated with an allergic reaction (the reason behind your saying that you have it all your life). The middle ear cavity contains air and the Eustachian tube equalizes the pressure between the middle ear (i.e. beyond your ear drum) with that inside the throat. But if the Eustachian tube(s) get blocked due to mucus, even after the pop of the swallowing, the patency of the tube is not restored and hence pressure differences remain (it could be either high or low inside). Regards