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!

[BMXJames]

I have a similar problem to the OP. When on the mobile / cell phone and listening with my right ear only. When the other person talks on the phone I get a throb / noise in my left ear corresponding to each word that I hear in my right ear. It feels like its just inside my left ear, like a gland or a muscle is pulsating. I've had this for a few years and I'm now 34 years old. I have good hearing normally, but I really can't use my right ear to listen to phone calls as the noise it creates in my left ear is too distracting. After reading all your posts I am going to see a doctor. I would like to give a syringe a go, or maybe pop some pills. Or maybe its just my spirit being harmed by the evil cell phone?!?!?

[pchi]

A few months ago, whenever I lay down to sleep... there's a constant thumping beat in my left ear.  It doesn't hurt, but it's hard to fall asleep to.  I'm healthy 30 year old female, maybe there's some fluids in my ear that needs to be flushed out by a doctor.  

[Sulldog]

I have been feeling a pulsating sensation in my left ear for about a month now.  I really only happens at my desk at work which is weird.  It happens only about once or twice a day, each time for about 10 seconds.  It feels like a blockage (where I really can't hear out of the left ear) and I hear the thumping.  I am on anti anxiety medication (Celexa).  I was wondering maybe if this was a side effect?  I've been on it for about 5 months now.  I've recently had a ton of bloodwork & everything is normal (no high blood pressure, etc).  I feel really bad for those of you on here that experience it constantly.  The ENT department as Mass General Hospital in Boston is phenomenal if you can get there to see someone.  Good luck to all & if you have a similar experience to mine and have a suggestion, please share.  Thanks so much!

[MCRETIRED]

I too for the past couple of months have been expierencing a pulsating throb with each heart beat behind my left ear.  Finally went to my family doctor and he seen what appeared to be fluid behind my ear drum.  He perscribed an antibiotic and rescheduled a follow-up appointment.  I returned for my follow-up and nothing had improved.  Lucky for me an ENT was in the office.  He looked in my ear and seen the same thing but thinks its a vascular issue.  I have a CAT scan scheduled then follow-up with the ENT Dr the following day.  I hope the throbbing is identified.  He did say what he saw was rare but nothing to lose sleep over.  Easier said than done!  Mentioned the Carotid Artery could be pressing against the underside of the ear drum which can be corrected by surgery.  He didn't think it was tumorous or malignancy.  I'll be glad to get the CAT scan results and go back to this ENT who hopefully will identify this throbbing!

[MrsSpendALot]

I have to join in on this because I have been having a similar issue that just started a few days ago but I'm not sure I would describe mine as "thumping" as much as, well...the best way I can describe it is when you swallow how you can feel like a pressure, that doesn't hurt, in your ears or when you yawn to clear your ears?  Like that...it's very random, nothing brings it on, it's almost like a muscle spasm in my ear and like it's trying to clear my ears from pressure.  It's annoying because there is nothing I can do to make it stop and nothing to bring it on!!!  

[Xtine606]

I have had this thumping for over a year now, and my TMJ specialist said it could be very well related to jaw/neck/joint disorders.  I've been on meds to try and cure my TMJ, but the beating persists and IT'S SOOOO ANNOYING!!! Sometimes taking a muscle relaxer, sleep aid, and/or wine helps me fall asleep if it's still there before going to bed.  Otherwise, it sometimes lasts up to 15 hours at a time with short interludes of a few mins in between.  Trust me, I relate to you all!!!