@zaa-thank you for sharing this information. As you diligently explained, there are so many different things that affect the area above the neck. It was so wise of you to pay attention to your own sensations, listen to yourself and tune into what you thought it could be.
It sounds like you had patulous eustscian tube, where the tube remains open. Many of these types of issues do self correct. Good for you for not listening to the ENT and avoiding an unnecessary procedure.