Sinus infections can cause the popping in the ears, as inflammation in the nose and sinuses can cause inflammation around the Eustachian tube, which is the tube that runs from the back of the nose to the middle
ear and is responsible
for draining the middle
ear of fluid. If there is Eustachian tube dysfunction from nose or sinus inflammation, fluid can remain in the middle ear which can lead to ear pain. As the infection resolves, your symptoms should come down.