What Does Occasional Popping Sensation In Ear Suggest?

My ear occasionally slightly pops on its own. When I sleep on my side, I feel like liquid is flowing from one ear to the next. When I change position, I feel like it s flowing the opposite direction, but the culprit never comes out. Sometimes I sleep with QTIPS next to me, so that when it happens, I can put in the QTIP to catch the culprit. So far the QTIP gets merely wet and feels sticky. I also feel itchy on the surface of the ear canal. Whenever I was my hair or swim, and water enters my ears, it never comes out. I would feel the water in my ears, but even if I told for hours, it never comes out. Howver, my overall hearing is good. Please help. Thank you.