Roaring from behind your ear drum

Anybody else have this happen while on your hose? I had it happen repeatedly in one ear for the first time last night, and have no idea why, since I haven't changed my mask nor any settings for the past 7 weeks. Wow, the sound was deafening, and I never found a consistent way to get it to disappear, though it did stop each time after about 10 seconds of trying to "hold my mouth right" or rolling over to my other side.

I do have TMJ which has been treated to a point that is as good as it will get, and still a problem--so maybe that accounts for the occurrence. But out of the blue seemed strange. Well, maybe not quite, as I see from my data that my machine went to a higher level than is typical last night. I'm interested in anyone else's experience with this, as it makes getting to sleep completely impossible, not to mention being downright freaky.

Never saw this posted until now.. Sorry I am a newbie and had this same experience with my titration and thought it was because of the extra air was somehow getting behind my ear.. I have yet to get my machine so I don't know if it will continue or not and hopefully someone comes along to answer this question for you. Just wanted to let you know that someone else experienced it too.

I'm bumping this thread up again because I've just had the alarming experience of this event happening now in both ears. Not at the same time, but alternately, depending upon which side I am trying to sleep on. The rushing air against the inside of my ear started about 1-2 hours before I got up this morning. It clicks on like flipping a light switch--sort of the same sensation as when you close off your windpipe with the back of your mouth/throat. (make any sense?)

What's also disturbing is that my data indicates a whopping and sudden increase in OA (all clumped together during that same time period) from my usual 0-2 reading, to 5.5!! AHI also leaped to 6.5 today (highest I can remember since my first week), following 3-4 days at about 4.0.

Possible causes for last night's problem? I switched from Aflex to no-flex on Friday night. Have not changed my pressure--it remains at 9.0. Both mornings, I have awakened in wee hours with my cheeks puffed out, and for the first time ever, had a small leak out of my mouth-taping this morning. My leak rate went to 32 last night, and I am usually at about 27 or 28.

So it looks like I now have a dilemma. Possibly need to decrease pressure, when I was just beginning to get below AHI 5.0 with the pressure on 9. Go back to Aflex, which takes me longer to get to sleep. At 8-8.5 with Aflex, I never got below 5.0 in the past 2 months. Can y'all help here? This ear thing is extremely worrisome, since it is directly caused by my therapy!

Have you had your blood pressure tested recently? Mine seems to do that when I don't take my medication for my rapid/irregular heartbeat. As soon as I take my medication, the whooshing is gone.. That or the lovely sensation of your own heartbeat in your ears..

I would suggest going to an ENT - does your sleep clinic have a resident ENT specialist? Your experience doesn't sound typical. Perhaps your eustachian tubes are blocked, or you have an ear infection that is upsetting the pressure and balance in your ears? Do you also have diziness and vertigo, or is it just the roaring?

echo wrote:I would suggest going to an ENT - does your sleep clinic have a resident ENT specialist? Your experience doesn't sound typical. Perhaps your eustachian tubes are blocked, or you have an ear infection that is upsetting the pressure and balance in your ears? Do you also have diziness and vertigo, or is it just the roaring?

I actually do not, and have never had high blood pressure--nor do I have any dizziness or vertigo. My sleep clinic only has one MD, and as I've mentioned in other threads, I believe he looks only at page 1 and the last page of my data at any given time (ie: compliance and averages pages). Hardly have any faith that he would have a clue...so an ENT might be indicated.

Why can't anything be simple? (she said, whining). My motivation is not suffering; I remain absolutely committed to this therapy. I am just discouraged and frustrated that this may be an unresolveable obstacle if it relates to the internal structure of my airway...

I haven't had this problem but since it might be related to your change in the flex mode I would go back and turn it back on and see if that solves the problem. If it does you may have found your cause.

I would see a doctor as well to rule out any other causes. Sometimes I have had (according to the doctor) severe ear infections yet my ears haven't bothered me and I have went due to other causes.