All I can tell you is I got tinnitus six months ago. I know it was from stress because the buzzing gets Much louder if something stressful happens. Since they buzz 24 hrs a day I rarely notice it. I have had no discomfort from it at all. Tinnitus means ringing in the ears; not infection. Most doctors believe there is no cure. And they don’t know why it starts. Between those two facts, I can see how a doctor would talk “infection” instead of saying, “Oh; tinnitus. Sorry; I have nothing to help you at all, I don’t know why it started and you could have it the rest of your life.” Doctors don’t like to talk like that. But it’s all true. As far as the jaw popping goes , there may be no connection. I have always heard that jaw popping is something you tell a dentist. Not an ENT. Just watch out for over treatment. Jaw popping can be quite temporary and I don’t think you’d want a dentist realigning your jaw this soon .