Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Popping Sensation And Fullness In Ears?
Question: I pop my ears all day long and have sensation of ear fullness. I have to do it or they feel full and hurt. Because I do this all day long, my ears hurt very bad by end of day. Nothing seems to release the pressure or help me stop the need to so this. I've had specialist check ears out and they have found no problem. This started about two and half years ago. Klonopin use to help ease the pain and minimize some of the need to pop my ears but this has been ineffective for a long time. I was not on an airplane when it started, I did not scuba dive or sky dive. I was not ill during that time. I did smoke marijuana for about ten years then had to quit for a job. I started trying new antidepressants during this time and had side effects like head zap, feeling like I did not know where to rest my tongue in my mouth, jaw pain and then ear fullness started. I was taken off each med that caused side effect. I've seen a TMJ dentist and not findings there. I have some good days where my ears are not that painful and tolerable. I have smoked marijuana off and on since and during times I smoke, my ears do not bother me at all.
Brief Answer:
eustachian tube dysfunction can be cause
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for the query.
Eustachian tube dysfunction is a common cause of such symptoms.
The cause can be a focus of infection in the vicinity.
An ENT examination including endoscopy and impedance audiometry helps in reaching to a conclusion.
Smoking and substance abuse is also a frequent cause of ciliary dysfunction in the region and can lead to such problems.
Please avoid using any substance abuse. Use of steroid nasal spray along with mucolytic helps in many cases.
In case there is evidence of eustachian tube dysfunction, myringotomy with grommet insertion helps.
Feel free to ask another query.
Regards
eustachian tube dysfunction can be cause
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for the query.
Eustachian tube dysfunction is a common cause of such symptoms.
The cause can be a focus of infection in the vicinity.
An ENT examination including endoscopy and impedance audiometry helps in reaching to a conclusion.
Smoking and substance abuse is also a frequent cause of ciliary dysfunction in the region and can lead to such problems.
Please avoid using any substance abuse. Use of steroid nasal spray along with mucolytic helps in many cases.
In case there is evidence of eustachian tube dysfunction, myringotomy with grommet insertion helps.
Feel free to ask another query.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I have tried nasal sprays, steroids klonopin etc. ENT doctor has ruled out any infections and tells me their is no dysfunction in Eustachian tubes. If my girlfriend pulls my ear lobes down and out, it relieves the pressure I feel but only temporarily. I do not have any respiratory problems or allergies (been checked out).
Brief Answer:
Descriptive
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the query.
As your doctors have ruled out most of the causes, your history of opening up of the ear when it is pulled up points towards three things; a psychological feeling of opening up, actually opening up the external auditory canal (EAC) which happens when the external ear is pulled up and opening of the Eustachian tube as the jaw muscles usually get clenched up as a reflex when the ear is pulled up.
So, first point is not in the domain of an ENT and I would not like to comment on that.
2nd point can be taken care by the examining ENT doctor who can by having a look at and into the EAC rule out the presence of debris or wax or a very narrow canal which tends to collapse. If there is some finding which can be corrected, the ENT will take the call accordingly.
3rd point still points to Eustachian tube dysfunction and use of chewing gum or repeated swallowing movements at frequent intervals should also help just like pulling the ear is helping.
Still if nothing is helping and your attending ENT thinks it advisable, the option of myringotomy with grommet insertion can be taken. It is a self extruding tube which helps in equalizing the pressure in the ear with the outside pressure and may help in resolution of symptoms.
Feel free to ask another query.
Regards
Descriptive
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the query.
As your doctors have ruled out most of the causes, your history of opening up of the ear when it is pulled up points towards three things; a psychological feeling of opening up, actually opening up the external auditory canal (EAC) which happens when the external ear is pulled up and opening of the Eustachian tube as the jaw muscles usually get clenched up as a reflex when the ear is pulled up.
So, first point is not in the domain of an ENT and I would not like to comment on that.
2nd point can be taken care by the examining ENT doctor who can by having a look at and into the EAC rule out the presence of debris or wax or a very narrow canal which tends to collapse. If there is some finding which can be corrected, the ENT will take the call accordingly.
3rd point still points to Eustachian tube dysfunction and use of chewing gum or repeated swallowing movements at frequent intervals should also help just like pulling the ear is helping.
Still if nothing is helping and your attending ENT thinks it advisable, the option of myringotomy with grommet insertion can be taken. It is a self extruding tube which helps in equalizing the pressure in the ear with the outside pressure and may help in resolution of symptoms.
Feel free to ask another query.
Regards
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
