Inner ear pain

Alright ladies, this is a total shot into the void. Before starting, I'd like to say that Google has yielded zero results, and I'm not on insurance so I'm trying to avoid a doctor and those payments. So just keep those comments to yourself 😂

For the past few months my ears have been hurting - but only when I drink. Not when I swallow saliva, or food, or anything else. It's like a sharp pain and goes away after a few seconds.

I was wondering if anybody else has experienced this at all?? If so then was there anything you did to make it stop? Or if anybody has any ideas on what it is... frankly I'm tired of not being able to drink water without being punished lol.