Expert: Harriet B Jacobster, Au.D. - 6/27/2009

Question
Hello harriot, nice to come in contact with you and such a well qualified individual.

My question is this, for a few months now my ears crackle when I swallow and yawn. When I yawn however to the full amount possible, my ears[right ear] feels releaved. I can yawn a tiny bit and I can just feel it pop then followed by crackling. It has a blocked feeling when I play sport too... Its really frustrating and I've developed a tick of swallowing and yawning all the time. I've had doctor checkups and the ear is pink and healthy and no wax and I've been on a cycle of antibiotics with no improvement in the crackle,click,pop like feeling other people describe.

Thanks in advance, and thankyou for your time to respond.

respectfully,

Danny.

Answer
Hi Danny,
I'm a bit concerned why a doctor would give you antibiotics if there were no infection?

Have you consulted an Ear specialist (ENT)?  From what you describe, it is very possible that you have a Eustachian Tube dysfunction (ETD).  The Eustachian tube is a tube that runs from your middle ear to the nasal cavity and is responsible for maintaining pressure equalization.  If you've ever flown, or climbed a mountain, you probably remember that "stuffed" feeling you got which was relieved by swallowing or yawning.  You do this to open the tube and relieve the pressure buildup.  Here is a great site that I actually just found that explains it very well in lay terms: http://homepage.mac.com/changcy/etd.htm

The ENT can conduct a very simple test to see if this is the problem, although it is usually diagnosed based on symptomology.  Usually, the ENT will give you some nasal sprays that will help to regulate ET function.  

Hope this helps.
Dr. Harriet B. Jacobster, AuD
Board Certified in Audiology