thumping in right ear... comes and goes

[RLWoolf]

For a while now I've had this weird thump, comes and goes. It's happening when I'm on the phone (read cellphone), listening with my right ear... each hard consonant sound I hear results in a thump I both hear and (sort of) feel, almost as if it's coming from the center of my skull.  Pretty sure that means it's an inner ear thing.  I can switch to the left ear, thump is gone... back to the right, thump is back.  I can hear just fine in left and right, mostly the thump is distracting and a little worrisome. Can anybody help me make sense of this?
Thanks!

[Jordy]

This isn't going to help  much, but I just want to let you know that I've had that exact same thing, on and off, my ENTIRE life.  In fact, I'm so used to it (again, it only happens on occasion) that I've never once remembered to mention it to any doctor, including my ENT who I've seen regularly for several years for my nose.  I also forgot to mention it during some very extensive hearing tests I had done at that same ENT's office a year ago, all of which turned out fine.

I know what you mean...it kind of feels like a beating to certain syllables and sounds.  I've never known what has caused it, never once have worried about it, and have never had any ear problems (no infections, dizziness, etc.) that made me think of the beating as a symptom.

So I wouldn't worry too much about it.  I'm 34 and it has never once affected my life or my ear health (as far as I know) in any way.  It's just annoying.

[loco4maluco]

I just wanted to say that my mom had the same thing happen to her. When she went for her check up and told her dr, he ran some blood test, and come to find out her cholesterol was high. He thought that it might be calcifications in her main artery that goes up behind her ear, or in her ear (somewhere close). So, he put her on some medicine for it and it stopped. So, you might want to get that checked out.

[velvetsunshine]

I have had the same thing for about 6 or so months.  It has gradually become more frequent.  It happens many times a day and can last for a half hour.  It happens in my left ear when someone is talking to me from my right side.  It is so strange.  I was worried that it was a neurological symptom, but I had an MRI and it was clean.  It is so annoying!!!  I know this wasn't helpful, but I know it can help to know you're not the only one.  By the way, I went to the ENT, and he had not idea, hadn't even heard of such a thing!  He just tested my hearing, which was fine.  Sigh....

[sam25]

I also suffer from this strange symptom. I just came from the ENT today. The doctor put me on nasacort and antihistamines. Who know's if it will work. Most of the time doctor don't have a clue and they say everything's fine. Anyway good luck to all.

[Nancy T]

I wonder if it's part of the acoustic reflex? I'm no expert, but your ears have a built-in mechanism to protect them from sudden loud sounds (maybe W/a/J will explain how it works).

Maybe the thumping is part of this acoustic reflex, triggered when you hear certain sounds. It has something to do with the stapedius muscle in your middle ear. And it's a bilateral thing--when you hear an overly loud sound in one ear, it triggers the reflex for both sides, I believe. (Been a long time since I read about it, and I never understood it completely.)

Of course it's not normal to have ear-thumping during normal conversations. I would get it checked out by an ENT. But most likely they won't know what's causing it, and anything serious will likely be ruled out. Lots of weird ear stuff never gets explained.

I had a very strange cross-ear thumping several years ago during a four-day episode of BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo). Every time I would tip my head leftward and get the BPPV, which consisted of the ceiling appearing to jerk up and down, I would get a fast, strong thumping/beating in my RIGHT ear, opposite to the BPPV side. Doctors could not explain this. But I'm sure it was the stapedius muscle thumping away in my opposite ear for some reason.

Nancy T.

[d0ugparker]

I'm 47. I seem to be having a similar sensation, and it feels as if there's a muscle that's spasming in the ear canal.

Likewise, I don't have a clue what may be causing it. I don't feel like going to see a doctor about it. It's annoying, but I'm just letting it go. There doesn't seem to be anything it's affecting.

[Renee8261]

I just went to the ENT today.  He tested my hearing and of course it's fine.  He also tested the pressure on my tympanic membrane, also normal.  I'm a little frustrated because I feel pressure and I know something is causing the thumping noise.  It only happens when I move, as if there's fluid in my inner ear, but he didn't have any answers for me.  What a waste of time and money!!  I guess I'll have to learn to live with it.

[laila89]

I have suffered with my ear thumping problem for some time now.  I went to the ENT and they referred me out for a VNG which was a very strange test that shook me up really bad.  Its where they blow a force of air in your inner ear for about 2 minutes.  Now, I cant stand for my ceiling fan to be on without me having to put cotton or something to stop them up so that I may sleep.  This is very frustrating because my sinus drains and makes it worse.

Laila

[rebka]

I have had this ear thumping going on for so many years now and never really gave it much thought.  It only happened at night when I first went to bed and lasted for about a half hour.  Just recently it started happening during the day also.  If there was a printer going or any other loud noise, it seemed to sound like the machine was reving up or something.  It is becoming more annoying and I sometimes feel like I am going to lose my mind.  I wear earplugs every night and have for years and that does not help.

[bonny475]

My ear thumping started about a month ago.Its driving me crazy as it doesnt hurt justs thumping.I blamed it on a trip we went on.We flew up to toronto and then to las vegas.I am not use to flying,plus all the noise in vegas.I am debating whether to get it checked out as I do have high blood pressure.
It seems to start when I am moving around mostly and aroung loud noise.I wonder if this has anything to do with it?It almost seems like my

heart is thumping in my ear but heavier and louder
thanks.....Bonnie

[jo488]

i just sent you a message and then i went back and reread what you had said and i do have the same thumping...it does not happen while moving but after i sit down from moving...like climbing stairs etc.

[makatak007]

My right ear thumps whenever I consume any alcohol.  Only then.   I have no wax build up other than ordinary amounts when cleaning my ears.   I am careful to never probe into my ear canal, only wiping the wax from the outer portion.   No pain is associated with this thumping and it goes away but it is still worrisome.  I have decide to cease all use of salt seasonings to see if any relief can be gained.    It must be noted that I was a drummer for 15 years in my youth,  but have not played drums or otherwise been exposed to high decibal levels in well over a decade, and never before have any symptoms of any type of hearing impairment ever presented itself.   I would welcome any suggestions or information from anyone,  especially from a physician who has knowledge in this area.   Thank you.

[WonderfullyMade]

I've had the same annoying thumping in both my ears off and on since i can remember, i'm 40 yrs. old now and it's still annoying.It wakes me from my sleep, it happens around running water, while i'm in the shower or taking a bath. I was told it has to do w/ my sinus cavity. I suffer from some weird allergy to dairy that causes massive mucos build up and frequent sinus infections. Plugging my ear super tightly helps me to fall asleep, and or not be awakened due to the annoying thumping sound in my ear.

[northerbcguy]

Have same thumping in right ear. Does anyone of you live close to a wind mill farm?

[createsjg]

I have recently started having thumping in my left ear.  My first thought was it is my heart beating but it is a third again faster than my heart rate.  I can't sleep on my left side it is so annoying.  Now I am on medication for my cholesterol.  It would be nice if someone had some answers, but so far nothing definitive on the internet.  If anyone comes up with something solid email me at ***@****.  Thanks

[Enovious]

Thumping noises in ear is directly related to the spiritual side of your being.  I haven't cracked the exact code from the thumping sound being in the right ear, left ear, or both.  Basically the thumping sound means if you are doing something that has caused you harm before or ended up negatively your inner self is trying to tell you to stop, "Been down this road before."  It also means that your spirit guide is trying to communicate with you.  If you are lightly thinking about something or deep in thought and you need answers your spirit guide could be trying to answer questions, direct you in your thought that they know you would really want to experience, or warn you.  This could be the difference between left and right ear thumping.  Not everything we experience on this planet has to do with a medical condition or technology gone wrong causing ailments.

[Enovious]

Thumping noises in ear is directly related to the spiritual side of your being.  I haven't cracked the exact code from the thumping sound being in the right ear, left ear, or both.  Basically the thumping sound means if you are doing something that has caused you harm before or ended up negatively your inner self is trying to tell you to stop, "Been down this road before."  It also means that your spirit guide is trying to communicate with you.  If you are lightly thinking about something or deep in thought and you need answers your spirit guide could be trying to answer questions, direct you in your thought that they know you would really want to experience, or warn you.  This could be the difference between left and right ear thumping.  Not everything we experience on this planet has to do with a medical condition or technology gone wrong causing ailments.

[ltd400]

you are a ******* enovious

[YeniP]

I have the same thumping in my ear when I use the phone or hear high sounds.. I went to the ENT which I had the hearing test, pressure test, CTs of my ear/head, MRIs of my head/neck and everything has been normal. The Dr. even puntured my eardrum to make sure I didn't have pressure build in... I wish someone would have an answer to the thumping.. It's annoying and it actually hurts my ear to where I would get a headache from the thumping.

[raphealgal]

I have this thumping noise as well. It happened every so often when I was on the phone but lately it has been every 3 min or so and I can not get anything done its so distracting. The thumping goes for about 15 fast thumps and then quits only to come right back.

[Einahteb]

I've had this all my life: thumping in right ear ... when I hear piano music. It's the only thing that sets it off. It starts thumping within about 5 seconds of piano music playing, and ends the instant the music stops. I just wondered if anyone else had it too, and it sounds like it's not uncommon, although different things set it off for different people. Interesting, though.

[bjvom]

I began researching several weeks ago when I suddenly began having a painless but annoying thumping in my left ear. It is similar to an ear problem I had once before, but differs in that I was flying while experiencing a tooth problem then. Thumping in the ear could be related to sinus infection, dental problems, TMJ or any number of neurological causes. A tumor on the 7th cranial nerve can cause thumping, but usually has pain associated. See your GP first to eliminate any chance of infection. The doctor should be able to refer you to either an audiologist, dentist or neurologist depending on the results of the exam. Unfortunately, the vast majority of cases are never solved satisfactorily.

[SilentKnight58]

I am experiencing a thumping noise in the right ear.  It started two nights ago.  It is a fast thumping not the same as the heart beat.  It starts in the evening and lasts all night.  Makes it very hard to get any sleep.  Last year I had a breathing noise in the same ear and it started when I laid down.  It was also hard to sleep with that noise going on all night.  Been to GP, EMT but they did not find a thing but said the blood vessel runs near the ear canal and can cause a rushing sound.   I've had fluid problems with that same ear and had tubes put in twice in the last 10 years.  I am 58 year old,  just getting old I suppose......  

[vemeez]

Well as nutty as people may think you are Enovious you have some validity but atleast tell people the truth ok....ummmm the word Spirit can be used very lightly and you know the word that they will all understand ok. I have this and knew exactly what it was but talked myself out of it and was heading to medical help but my instinct tells me it's not medical....stop using soft wording and just tell people......world needs to wake up huh. Always seek medical advice and if testing helps you tick off the worrying things in your mind then do so. I don't have the guts to tell people what it is maybe Enovious has ?