Every time I swallow, I get a crinkling sound in my left ear.
Imagine a box with a small hole on one side. The hole is covered by a plastic bag.
If the box is squeezed the pressure inside increases, causing the plastic bag to flex outward.
Then when the box is released, the pressure returns to normal, allowing the plastic bag to flex back inward.
This is what I imagine going on in my left ear. The box represents the middle ear / eustachian tube, and the plastic bag is an imitation of the ear drum.
It’s not painful but I wish it wasn’t happening. Somewhat distracting each time I swallow.