@lissas-this must be frustrating, as well as the fear around it, which brings more attention to it.

It is not a surprise the ENT has no clue. It’s more that if he/she can not see anything objectively, they are surgeons first and foremost, they will be of no help to your subjective sensations. This is just factual. They are not in the specialty of sensory processing.

A better route would be a Neurologist. Neurologists are equipped to discuss nerves. I am not sure what your noise injury was, but if the nerves were heightened during that stress, they can remain in that state causing an overactive state in the neuro and musculature. They play of each other. Tense nerves, tense muscles. The anxiety then brings more awareness to the situation. The Neuro can explain this and perhaps catch it early on to calm the sensitization.