Possible sinus issues

The Eustachian tube is a narrow tube which links the back of the nose and the middle ear. It is normally closed but opens when we swallow, yawn or chew. It has three main functions: it protects the middle ear from pathogens; it allows air to flow into the middle ear, which can help to keep the air pressure equal on either side of the ear drum, enabling the ear drum to work and vibrate properly; and it has a drainage function, clearing secretions away from the middle ear.

Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) in adults can occur when the Eustachian tube is swollen or cannot open properly. It can cause muffled hearing, pain, a feeling of fullness in the ear, tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ear), or problems with balance. ETD typically happens after a cold, or a nose, sinus, ear or throat infection. Symptoms are often mild and generally do not last beyond a few days. Simple actions such as swallowing, yawning, chewing or blowing against a closed mouth and nose may stop the symptoms. However, symptoms sometimes last several weeks or more, in which case treatment may be considered. In the long-term, ETD has been linked with damage to the middle-ear and the eardrum and it may lead to infection of the middle ear, glue ear, or retraction of the eardrum. Currently there are no comprehensive guidelines for the treatment of ETD in adults and no up-to-date systematic reviews.The purpose of this project was to undertake a systematic review to assess the benefits and safety of different treatments options for ETD in adults.Findings

The project aimed to assess interventions for the treatment of Eustachian tube dysfunction in adults. However, insufficient data required a protocol amendment to allow the inclusion of controlled studies with mixed adult/child populations. 19 studies reporting data on the following types of interventions were found: pharmacological therapies, mechanical devices and surgery (including laser tuboplasty, balloon dilatation, myringotomy without grommets, transtubal steroids and laser coagulation). No evidence was found for several other therapies. Outcomes assessed included symptom improvement, middle ear function and hearing. 

All except two included studies had a high risk of bias. The single low risk of bias RCT showed no effect of nasal steroids. Other studies showed improvements in middle ear function for mechanical devices, antihistamine/ephedrine and nasal decongestant but they had significant methodological weaknesses including insufficient length of follow-up. None of the surgical studies were adequately controlled and many reported high levels of co-intervention. Therefore observed benefits for tuboplasty and balloon dilatation in symptoms, middle ear function or hearing could not be reliably attributed to the interventions assessed. 

Eustachian tube dysfunction is a poorly defined condition. This was reflected in variations in the patient populations of the included studies. Consensus on diagnostic criteria for Eustachian tube dysfunction is required to inform inclusion criteria of future trials. However, due to the limited and poor quality evidence it is inappropriate to make conclusions on the effectiveness of any intervention; the evidence base is insufficient to guide recommendations for a trial of any particular intervention.

Did your symtoms, mainly the popping ever go away?

Oh man, I'm so glad to finally hear a success story on here.  What did you do to get better?  How long did you have it for?  Also, did you have any autophoney at all?  I think I might be semi patulous but not sure.  It is so annyoing.  I have an ENT appointment next week and hopefully its not to bad and he figures out what is wrong.  Hoping it is not the patulous kind because I have not read anything that says that is temporary.  It makes me not want to talk or ear.  Scary...

Hi,

I have something similar for 4 months now. First the ear felt sensitive to wind/draught, then it started hurting and felt clogged/full, then the clicking in both ears started. Some time after ear problem started, I noticed that I only breath with 1 nostril. I looked into my nose and saw that it was inflamed (the hole looked much smaller). Tried Amoxicillin antibiotic for 7 days, Nasonex nasal spray, Cefuroxime antibiotic and nothing helped. Saline nasal rinse does not help. Humidifier, essential oils, elderberry, vitamins, oregano oil, probiotics nothing helped so far. Some days it gets a little better and other days it is very painful. I feel like it gets worse when temperature drops. 

I see that it has been 3 years since this discussion started. HAS ANYONE HAD ANY LUCK??? Is it just chronic and that is that????

Hi do your eyes ever get sorted mine as the same both crunch when open mouth or move ears muscles 

I HAVE....WHEN I TOUCH MY EAR IT MAKES A SOUND....I WAS DYNOSED OF MENIERE'S DISEASE N I HAVE ATTACKS WITH INNER EAR ESTATION TUBE PROBLEMS IN RIGHT EAR. I'M ON PREDISONE LIKE LAST ATTACK INNER HAD IN 2015 WITH INFLAMMATION BUILD UP....SO I HOPE IT GOES AWAY THIS TIME....I HOPE U GET YOUR ANSWER

Hi,

I realize this thread is old but I have gone through the same experiences. My ears making constant clicking and cracking sounds, ear pain, etc..went to an ENT twice, my doctor 2 times and was given antibiotics but everyone still said my ears were fine. After a ton of research and a trip to my dentist, I discovered I have TMJ which has been causing all of my ear symptoms. I also found it impossible to find this info on the internet. I have been using Rhinocort which has helped the inflammation from my jaw clenching (which has caused all my ear issues) and that has helped enormously. I have also bought a mouth guard at the store and molded to my teeth to stop my daily teeth clenching. 

It’s insane that TMJ can cause all these ear issues but it’s true. Look it up. It’s veru surprising and also frustrating that doctors don’t realize this is happening. I hope this helps someone.