Ear Popped Followed by a Feeling of Ear Fullness After Taking It Off Pillow

I was lying on my side earlier (I always sleep and lie on my side) and when I lifted up my head my ear popped really loudly followed by a feeling of fullness in my ear and everything being muffled for a few seconds.

I’m already taking nasal steroids for an ear effusion.

Should I be concerned by what happened or is it nothing?

 

@Fordescape, welcome to Tinnitus Talk.

Sounds like Eustachian tubes popping due to pressure and mucous.

Try an extra pillow lower down from your other one so when your head is on the pillow your ear is above the lower one to ease pressure if you like to sleep on that side....

love Glynis

 

Everytime I rotate my head right and rotate back to normal my left ear pops. Random pops can happen.

Maybe you slept in a certain way that triggered that pop.

Try to fall asleep in a good position.

 

@Fordescape, no I wouldn't worry if everything is fine. This has happened to me. It's similar to when you cover your ears with your hands (or stick earplugs in) and form a seal. It causes pressure changes and your Eustachian tube to open or close, which can result in slight pain. It won't damage your inner ear, and probably not cause enough pressure to damage your ear drum. I asked my ENT so this is paraphrasing her response.

 

Might've messed with your middle ear bones a bit. I'd suggest not aggravating it if you can recall how you got up.

If it's popping due to pressure, using a nasal spray to clear up the tubes makes sense.

 

It's happened to me several times. I recommend sleeping on your back to avoid pressing your ear against the pillow, it's never caused significant damage but it always ruined my mornings when it happened.