Doesn't sound like my TM joint, but I didn't know I had one till Koan told me.

Thanks for the joint Koan!

Feels like my inner ear, sensitive bit near the drum, deep inside; moisture or swelling arising from that irritation. A friend with MS has something similar. I also had chronic neck and back pain for many years which could be related.
Coxy: yes, I know exactly what you mean! Thankfully I don't get that so often on the back of the throat, really horrible when I do, just can't reach the damn thing, it's inside, deep down, somehow. Plentiful cotton buds eh? And well-filtered air, and no pillows.
I don't think I get the altitude change popping thing though. Except when I change altitude, that is...
Esther12: My smell and hearing are sometimes heightened, that's not unusual. Heightened sensitivity syndrome. I often hear very queit sounds that friends with me can't hear. I can smell perfume from far enough away to start running away from the offender in time to avoid toxic shock. I am looking forward to the perfume ban, and to returning to the club scene one day to freak out the kids with my old-skool moves.