Very loud whooshing in left ear

It started maybe about an hour ago. I heard a very loud whoosh sound happening over and over. At first I thought maybe a cat was getting into trouble. Then as I turned my head to try to find the source I felt confused until I realized it's my left ear.

I've been able to for a long while hear a slight whooshing at night when I have either ear next to a pillow. It had actually gotten less noticeable in recent months. Then this suddenly out of no where. It's scaring me quite frankly. I don't know if this is something where I can wait to see a doctor until tomorrow? And then there's the issue of being able to afford a doctor. Am I just being a hypochondriac? I started to cry and blew my nose hard and it quieted briefly before going right back to the same volume. I don't know if that means anything or not. My ear feels more "full" when that happens, too. The only other thing that I can think of is that I've had for a few days what feels like a pinched nerve somewhere around my left neck/shoulder area. I'm not quite sure which way the pain is radiating.