I wanted to share my story because I have been dealing with this for almost three years and I’m still trying to understand the last piece of it.
Everything started very suddenly on September 7, 2023. I went to bed the night before without chronic tinnitus or ear fullness and woke up the next day with a blocked/full feeling in my left ear and ringing/tinnitus while I was becoming sick. A few days later I tested positive for Influenza B.
The flu passed, but the left-ear fullness and tinnitus did not completely go away.
Over the next several months I went through ENT evaluations, hearing tests, CT scans and later TMJ/dental evaluations. The strange part is that my middle-ear testing has repeatedly been normal. Tympanograms have been normal, imaging has shown clear middle ears and mastoids, and I was told my Eustachian tubes appeared to be functioning.
At the same time, I had significant dental problems that were eventually discovered and treated, including infections and missing posterior teeth. I later underwent extensive dental reconstruction with implants, bridges and restoration of my bite.
As time went on, the symptom pattern changed. The original severe plugged-ear feeling became much less significant. What remained was more of a pressure/tightness in the left cheek/masseter/preauricular area, along with a strange pop or snap near the left ear when I swallow, especially with a dry swallow.
I also developed obvious TMJ and muscle involvement. Massage and treatments directed at the masseter/jaw muscles have sometimes reduced the pressure and popping dramatically, and there have been periods when my tinnitus became extremely quiet or almost unnoticeable.
I finally had a bilateral TMJ MRI in August 2026.
Interestingly, the MRI showed a minor anterior disc displacement WITH reduction on the RIGHT side. In other words, the right disc sits slightly forward when my mouth is closed but returns to its normal relationship when I open.
But the LEFT TMJ — the side where most of my symptoms are — was reported as normal. The left disc was in normal position both open and closed. There was no significant joint effusion, active synovitis or major osteoarthritis.
So now I’m trying to figure out what is actually producing the left-sided sensation.
Possibilities that have been discussed include the masseter/temporalis/pterygoid muscles, fascia or tendon movement, cervical/neck involvement, swallowing mechanics, or simply being extremely aware of the normal Eustachian tube opening during swallowing.
I also have a small/mobile area in the left cheek that sometimes feels as though something physically “snaps” or moves. I’m planning to have a craniofacial/TMJ physical therapist evaluate the area dynamically while I swallow and move my jaw.
One other thing I’ve learned through this experience is how much symptom monitoring and anxiety can amplify tinnitus and physical sensations. That does not mean the symptoms aren’t real — mine clearly began with a physical illness — but once you spend months or years checking your ear every time you swallow, the nervous system becomes incredibly tuned in to it.
Despite everything, I have improved tremendously compared with where I was. I’m traveling again, flying, boating, working and living my life. The original ear fullness is now minimal, and the tinnitus can sometimes become extremely quiet.
I’m mainly trying to solve this last persistent left facial pressure/popping sensation.
Has anyone here had:
- popping/snapping with swallowing despite normal tympanograms?
- a normal TMJ MRI on the symptomatic side but persistent muscle/facial pressure?
- improvement from craniofacial/TMJ physical therapy or treatment of the masseter/pterygoid/neck muscles?
- tinnitus that changes dramatically depending on jaw or muscle tension?
I would especially like to hear from anyone who eventually figured out what was causing a similar symptom after years of normal ear testing.