Experiencing Ears Popping/Cracking?

[katiemichelle]

I just started an SSRI so I am not sure what is the culprit. When I swallow or yawn my ears pop and crackle (like as if you were on a plane). It's now also happening when I talk and I feel like I am having to fight off yawning while talking as well.Just want to see if anyone else is experiencing this or not. My ears are not twitching since its only happening when I swallow, yawn, and now when I talk. Thanks!

 

[antThatGuyWithNoName]

SSRIs have increased my yawning before...the crackling thing is extremely common...I had a bunch of ear symptoms like that and went to an ENT and they didnt find anything wrong. I think almost everyone hears a crackling when they swallow sometimes if they actually listen for it.

 

[Gracer]

When you are in the plane, the popping is because of the difference between middle ear presure and outside pressure (which first is above atmospheric and then the plane becomes depressurized slightly). When this pressure difference releases via eustachial or guttural duct, the timpane just pops.Probably in means you have your middle ear pressure slightly incereased. or maybe your side effects include certain swelling of nasal cavity and throat mucous membranes (it is possible), so with normal pressure your guttural duct does n0t work well and you have certain pressure buildups in the middle ear. I never heard or experienced that as a side effect of SSRI, but those side effects are so individual and sometines strange...

 

[DesertKnight]

Katie,I have had this every day of my life for the past 15 years it seems. Just opening my mouth, swallowing, yawning, sometimes just tilting my head slightly will elicit tons of these crackling noises. As I sit here typing this I have made it happen over and over again, just by opening my mouth like I'm yawning. Not sure what it is that caused yours to start, but just wanted to let you know mine does it all the time and all the ENTs have told me it is perfectly normal for some people to experience this, even to the extent I do. Hopefully yours won't hang around like mine has.Frances

 

[katiemichelle]

Thanks guys. I know mine has happened always when swallowing and yawning. However, its happening when I talk now and driving me nuts! It just started since I started the SSRI and I am thinking its related to the fact that I want to yawn all freaking day long. I go to my GP on Friday so I can ask her then, its just yet another symptom to drive me crazy!

 

[herty18]

It can also be caused by TMJ. My jaw pops and I thought for a long time it was related to my ears or nose.

 

[JohnnyRocket]

I get crackling and popping sometimes in those circumstances. I also get strange ringing sounds intermittently along withthe feeling my ear is clogged. That and I also get occasional ear pain.

 

[LevenLevi]

I have this crackling noise in my ears when yawning since i can think, and even when opening my mouth, but not allways. For me its normal whole my life. Also when eating sometimes.When i started taking the SSRI 6 weeks ago, i was also yawning like hell for a week, of course that didnt help to get rid of my anxiety.. But it did go after a week or so..Greetings,LevenLevi

 

[analnerd9]

I have TMJ disorder on my right side, and my jaw "whooshes" every time time I chew. If I open my mouth wide, I always hear crackling. The swallowing popping in your ears is because of fluid in your eustachian tubes. The swallowing mechanism causes your eustachian tubes to open up, and any fluid in there is going to make a bit of sound. I have this issue very badly on the right side, as well. Flonase can help release this fluid; however, if you're like me and prone to sinus infections, the medication can also act as fertilizer to any infection in your sinuses.