Vibrating eardrum, pulsating sensation, on and off.

[Jon82]

Hi there,
about 5 or 6 weeks ago I started getting a vibrating feeling in my right ear. I thought it would pass but it soon got to the point of real annoyance, flaring up at night and lasting til the morning where I would get up and it would go away.
I got sick of it so I went to the doctor who checked my ears and said that it did look sore in there and perhaps I had an infection so they prescribed a low dose of amoxicillin.

I took about 1/3 of the dose and stopped because the symptoms went away. I didnt like the side effects (bad stomach) so I stopped taking it since the vibrating had stopped.

The vibrating came back though after a few days, and it became a constant sense of vibrating. I was back to the doctor and he prescribed a greater dose of amoxicillin and advised me to finish it, which I did this time. Great, no symptoms for the last week.

A couple of days ago however, the symptoms started again, and yet again, only at night. I went to bed with the annoying banging and awoke to it, only for it to go away during the day.

The doctor did tell me that it would take maybe 6 weeks to clear up, and since that time period has not yet passed, should I still be experiencing those vibrations? I think it has been about 4 weeks since I last went to the doctor. Things were going ok until it flared up again; is this to be expected?
Could this issue be an anxiety issue, since everytime I think 'hey, my eardrum hasnt bothered me at all recently',
it starts flaring up again?

[rose007]

Oh my gosh, I recently started having the same thing. But it starts up in the day too for me.  I know I am going through some real anxiety right now because of a court case with my ex .  It really seems to act up when my mind runs on the situation.  So this possibly could be an anxiety issue.  I am going to have my blood pressure checked thou, you should probably too.  I will check my pulse too when its not happening and check when it starts.

[rose007]

I recently found the source of my problem.  It was a new med I was taking that had caffeine like stimulants.  You have to avoid everything food, drink, meds with caffeine like stimulants.  Try also sticking your best fitting finger in your ear and holding it there as long as possible.

HERE'S SOME ADDED INFO I CAME ACROSS:
When the tiny hairs and nerve endings become damaged as a result of exposure to noise, tinnitus often results.

Tinnitus that is caused from sinus problems

Sinusitis and allergy sufferers also frequently suffer from tinnitus. This  "type" is caused from blocked Eustachian tubes, which results in a pressure buildup in the inner ear.

This condition is normally caused by prolonged taking of anti-histamines and antibiotics which can cause a thickening of the mucous in the inner ear.

Excess inner ear mucous would normally simply drain out through the Eustachian tubes but is prevented from doing so because it has become too thick to drain out of the very narrow Eustachian tubes.

Tinnitus from stress or traumatic life events

Another major cause of tinnitus is a long continued exposure to stress or traumatic events such as the death of a loved one.

Thyroid dysfunction is definitely associated with tinnitus. When the thyroid produces too much thyroid hormone, this is a condition known as Hyperthyroidism. These additional hormones have a direct effect on most bodily organs, including the heart which beats faster and harder under the influence of thyroid hormones.

Hyperthyroidism, by increasing cardiac output, can cause a pulsatile or rushing noise.

Vitamin A and/or B12 deficiency has been described as causing tinnitus.

Other tinnitus causes :

Another cause of tinnitus is presbycusis (hearing loss that occurs as people age).

Hearing loss is the single most consistent factor in people with tinnitus. As a rule the tinnitus will occur at the same frequencies as the hearing loss.

Tinnitus from prescription drugs and over the counter medications. Caffeine, stimulants that may cause the heart to beat faster.

Many prescription medications list tinnitus as a side effect. These include anti-malarials, anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, and antidepressants.

Even more possible tinnitus causes

Many types of head surgery, included dental surgery such as root canal treatments also play a major role in causing tinnitus. This is normally associated with cochlear damage as a result of the noises you are exposed to during the procedure.

Heavy metal poisoning from fillings in the teeth are also a very common cause of tinnitus. This generally occurs when one is replacing old fillings.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, myfacial, neck and back pain,headaches,jaw problems, bowels of course...

THE LIST can go on but either way a lot of conditions can cause bouts of tinnitus or you can end up with tinnitus 24/7.

[Wear/a/Jimmy]

You folks are way OFF.  

What the OP has is ideopathic stapedial muscle spasms.  I am sure you folks have experienced an eye brow twitch...?  It is the same thing, but the muschle conected to the stapedius is twitching...  nothing to go crazy over, and certainly nothing to take antibiotics for.

There is some theory that it can be an indication of MS, but just because you have the twitch does not mean you have MS..  It is much like saying if you have a caugh you have TB...   no that is not the case...  you have a cough, but we don't know for sure if you have TB.

Good luck, and stay away from quacks

AuD ccc-a

[MJL1046]

I have MS, and this happens to me quite frequently at night, and only at night, right after I close my eyes to go to sleep. The vibrations vary in intensity but always in both ears simultaneously. For the longest time, I thought it was brain itself having a spasm because it makes my whole head shake pretty violently. While it's happening, I am basically paralyzed and unable to will myself out of it. Paralysis lasts for only a few seconds but it seems like an eternity. It's a scary thing to have to go through almost every night, making me afraid to even fall asleep sometimes, but it is not life-threatening or too much of a cause for concern so that helps the anxiety. Some say it is a symptom of anxiety, but I think it's due to my MS and is a cause for anxiety, not a symptom thereof. Just my personal opinion.

[onrystormy]

well I was only diagnosed a few months ago but I also have begining stages of barrets hihertle hernia severe acid reflux and had l-4 and l-5 shaved off becuase of pressure on the syatic nerve which now the scare tissue has attacched the same nerve with more dynamic results than before the back surgery any way I am only 43 yrs old and I'm falling apartI went off all nacotics and have been tylenoling it and extra sleepy time tea which seems to help some what to sleep. Well I have one thing to say to the people out there is this eagle syndrome takes the cake on top of all of that nobody really understands it or knows what it is I have found more out tonight then since they diagnosed me I thought i only had a bad ear infection But I've been having trouble swallowing for several yrs small stuff even Well to get to the point Sat. the esqrutiating pain started in my ear and throught I tryed talking to the doc after all to get the surgery scheduled but like so many of us now days my Job closed it's doors then to top it off My deductible went up 3 times fold .Tue. night I went to the Emergency after 2vicodine 10/325 to no relief at the emergency rm the gave me ashot of dilanta ? it didn't work then another of something else which only worked from 8PM to 115am to end this today which is thu. the sharp pain has subsided for now any way but still in pain The Doc asked me if I had psycological problems because I had stated If I would have been able to remove whatever this is even if it took putting a hole in my throught was very tempting Not That I would Or could but nobody seems to understand how much pain I was in the last few days and all looked at me like I was nuts so What do I do Now

[Scud422]

I might have the same problem in my left ear. After reading over the characteristics of tinnitus, I doubt that's what it is. The sound is as if someone is drumming on my ear drum. The noise is low and deep, the bouts of thumpings happen with several seconds or minutes between them and they have as much rhythm as someone tapping out morse code. Muscle spasms seems like it fits the best, the weird thing is that it happens so frequently with me, about 40% of the days in a year and those days are usually grouped together. 90% of the time it happens it's while I'm laying down (and thus, trying to go to sleep) and when it does happen I can stand or sit straight up to make the thumping go away, but once I lay down again it comes back.
This has been going on for probably more than 7 years.
Is this cause by muscle spasms? Is this curable? Is there a way to at least make the thumping stop temporarily?
Please help Jon and me, it's costing me sleep! I'm almost willing to puncture my ear drum to make this stop.

[justgathealed]

hei scud422,
i went thru the same problem that you have...thanx to God that it was only for one night.what you have is muscle spam for real,i visited an emergenc doc. and he did some series of physical test like checking my eardrum,closing my right ear with his hand and saying some word,just to make sure that my left ear is ok,and at last pressing two spots between my neck and shoulder and he asked me if i felt some pains which i acknowledged and that is the main cause of this motorised noise that denied my sleep for one night.the doc. prescribed ibuprofane and asked me to soft massage between my shoulder and the my ear,also i used warm water and a piece of cloth to keep my neck warm.i went home did all of that and the hum..hum noise was totally gone.i hope this would help

[jewels234]

I literally just had the thumping noise in my ear. Me being a google freak for everything because I hate doctors offices, I stumbled along this page luckily. It calmed me down a lot. I have a history of muscle spasms in my back, don't know if that has anything to deal with it. But, on the other hand... my shoulders are real tense dealing with a previous move and finding jobs in the area. The thumping only lasted about 20 seconds but it did shake me up a bit. Everyones stories have helped! If the condition worsens though should I visit a doctor?

[janieann]

Gads, nice to know I'm not losing my mind.  I have this too.   It happens mostly in my left ear, but occasionally in my right too, and it happens on and off throughout the day.   I'm going to try to make mental notes of how often starts up, but it seems to be it's dozens of times a day...at least in my left ear.  

[snadge]

I too have this...

for about 2 years it was just a very low hum in RIGHT EAR and just random (but at nights when lying down trying to sleep) - i put up with it as wasnt too bad but now its got much worse (louder and every night) and there is also a ringing (like pressure build up when blood rushes to your head - that sort of noise you hear when you pass out) but that ringing is VERY low but possibly because the hum is overpowering it, I can hear the ring when I put my head under water in the bath, i noticed once when i took ibuprofen the humming went away, so i took more but after few days it stopped working - anyway, I went to one Dr and he said "tinnitus , nothing can be done" , i went to another who said "its not tinnitus cos its in one ear" but was still at a loss and he referred me to ENT (which is 6 weeks time) - recently i got a cold, I never get colds and this one lasted over 10 days - during the outset of this cold the humming started to go over to left ear!! and louder!! - oh I was driven mad with it trying to sleep , anyway ive just been to ANOTHER Dr few days back, he had a look and said there was a little fluid on the left ear and that's probably from the 'cold' and so wont prescribe antibiotics ... he gave me 7 x 20mg Temazepam to help me sleep for a few nights - I took the tablets and guess what... the humming went away... before sleep and after sleep... ive ran out of Temazepam and guess what? the humming is back... strange?

Along with that I also have sinus problem where i can hear my breathing in my ears if i breath through my nose - more in the right one (mostly affected one)

Iam also on Methadone which could possibly be cause but never had it for 4 of the 6 years ive been on it so probs not!

thanks to the OP for posting those possible causes etc as I now think it may be allergy, Iam taking a LOT of herbal supplements for my Liver Disease and I think it may be related and the ringing is like a 'pressure build up' sort of noise - the humming must also be part of it, so Im gunna stop all my supplements which include Milk Thistle, Multi-Vitamins, Cod-Liver Oil, Dandelion , Artichoke and Herbal Teas (although most of those have just started recently) if any I think it be Milk Thistle as thats the ONLY one ive been constantly taking, Milk Thistle is more likely the culprit if it were to be any of those...

I will let you know how I get on

[janieann]

I think I'm going to try a daily regimen of decongestants just to see if that helps.   I've developed some sinus issues in my "old age," and coincidentally or not, that's when this vibrating started.

[Jennabenna81]

I have the same problem that occurs maybe twice every two months , and it I only notice it wen I'm making a phone call and the phone is ringing . Why is that?!

[snadge]

good idea... i think i might add that too, I also have 4 different types of anti-histamines from when i had itching on treatment (which also treat allergies) im wondering if its worth trying one of those... i think one step at a time... i will give a week to 10 days without supplements/herbal tea's and see if it stops or gets better... if not I may add decongestant like you say cos i can hear my breathing in ears when breathing through nose...so definite sinus issue

roll on 6 weeks time when i go to ENT

[godfunk]

Have a similar problem in my right ear. A near constant vibration of the--inner ear? eardrum?

Strangely, it only comes to me when it's relatively silent. It's almost as if the smallest external stimuli--like the refrigerator coming on--gives that area something to do, and the spasms stop. This has been going on for quite a few months, and it has been a particularly stressful time.

I'll let you know if I find anything that works...

[snadge]

go to GP asap as it will get worse.. i left it for 2 years as now its in both and much louder - DR is baffled and sending me to ENT to get scanned..

for my Ibuprofen worked, I would take a few about 45 mins before bed but that only lasted 3 or 4 nights then it stopped working - i then got sleeping tablets to help me sleep, wierdly they also stopped the noise... I took em and noise went away while i could feel sleepy in bed off the tablets the noise went?? and still gone next day.?? as soon as I ran out of tablets a week later it came back???

[atrayu]

I don't think that what is being described is Tinnitus. I have the same thing and the problem is less the sound and more the feeling of thumping pressure in the ear. The sound is very low because it is just the sound of the ear drum movement. I notice it if I stay up late usually after sleeping as soon as I notice it, it continues until I fall to sleep, by morning I forget about it usually. Tonight I was sitting here and realized that the feeling is not normal so I doubt that I will forget about it tommorrow since I took the time to read and comment on it. Does any one else here smoke? Maybe there is some correlation, also I am going through the break up of a 5 year relationship which has caused some stress.

[jensgrumpy]

I have been experiencing pressure and fullness in my right ear for a few months now excessively and whenever there are vibrating noises I get lightheaded - for example the refrigerator sends me over the edge - and when I use the hot running water in my apartment - I tend to then lean to the right causing my lower back and knees to hurt - it has become so stressful that I became anxiety ridden and am now on anxiety meds to at least calm my nerves while I try to figure out what is going on - It always seems to stem from my ear though and at times moving my head or lying down causes me to feel the loopiness as well or sense of off balance - I just want to feel normal again and cant seem to find help out there...I had constant construction going on next door for the past 7 months and that was horrible - and then I went shooting and with all that I think my symptoms have gotten worse and often wonder if that may be the culprit but again what can we do about this - it is altering life as I use to know it...

[bablen5]

Well, I have heart throbbing in my right ear almost all the time.  I went to the ENT and he said it was tinnitus.  Had an MRI to check head for tumors and had hearing test.  I have humming in my left ear and loud heartbeat in right ear.  They were more concerned about the humming and the heart throb is worse.  I can push on the vein in my neck and it will stop.  I am sitting here typing and it is loud.  Ugh, no one seems to know what to do.  I have checked blood pressure and it is mostly fine.  Seems worse in certain sitting positions and of course I hear it at night but it bothers me all the time especially exercising

[zen12345]

Hi all,
I just developed an occasional over vibration of ear drum syndrome in my left ear.
It happened so strangely. The doctor did a myringotomy on my right ear which was blocked for 3 weeks and immediately after, my left ear has this funny syndrome.

I had bad anxiety the last couple of weekss and I think this triggered my blocked right ear. But I couldnt understand why my left ear has such syndrome after my right ear surgery.

zen12345

[MJR615]

I, too, have the odd extra vibrations after a myringology of the opposite ear.
My ENT says it may stop on its own (Hope so!), but isn't sure of the cause.
I don't hear extra noises until a car or airplane or some other real noise happens. It's as if the car or plane were right next to me. My other ear hears the sound in the proper "distance". The vibration stops as soon as whatever makes the noise passes.
Certain radio and TV shows cause the vibrations too. All I have to do is turn my head slightly to quiet the sensation. When all is quiet on the outside, I hear "normally".
Hope all get relief some way or another!

[ask_tara818]

You are connecting with being clairaudience.  Try asking a yes and no questions.  Feel how the vibrations change and then you'll understand that you connected spiritual to your guide, angel...whatever you want to call it.  

You are receiving messages...it's clear...that's it and that's all.  

[Kimmiegirl0111]

I also have a "vibration" in my right ear.  It is mostly in the am hours and I'll notice it at odd times, such as, the shower running, toilet flushing, when the coffee pot is finishing brewing.  It bugs me so much.  I also sometimes feel like this year is plugged up but never seem to be able to "unplug".  I've tried antihistimines, nose sprays, ibuprofen, etc and nothing seems to help.  My next step of course is going to the Dr. but I love to hear what other people have to say as well.  

Thanks so much.

[postit992]

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Causes of ringing in the ears
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of 2  Write now Article Tools by Nicole Evans M.D.

Ringing in the ears is also known as tinnitus. Individuals suffering from tinnitus may hear ringing, buzzing, hissing, chirping, or whistling sounds in one or both ears.  The sounds heard by people with tinnitus can be intermittent, continuous, or even pulsating. Unfortunately, this condition affects over 35 million people in the United States alone.

There are many causes of ringing in the ears.  Common causes of tinnitus include trauma to the external or internal ear from chronic loud noises, physical injury or toxic exposure. Prescription medicines and over-the-counter medications are also a very common cause of ear ringing. In addition, there are many different medical disease and disorders that can cause or worsen tinnitus symptoms.

Often the cause of tinnitus is multi-factorial. This can make the treatment of tinnitus extremely difficult. For example, an older person may begin taking Lipitor for high cholesterol and Prilosec for acid reflux. These two medications can cause tinnitus as an adverse effect. This individual also is has seasonal allergies causing frequent nasal congestion, another cause of tinnitus. In addition, the natural aging process can cause deterioration of the cochlea in the inner ear which can cause or contribute to the development of ringing ears. In order to successfully treat tinnitus, a physician will attempt to identify those causes of tinnitus in an individual that are reversible or treatable.

Some of the most common medications that cause ringing in the ears include: salicylates (especially aspirin), SSRIs (especially Zoloft and Celexa), Lipitor (also called Atorvastatin), Zyrtec (also called Cetirizine), Nexium (also called Esomeprazole), Prilosec (Omeprazole), Gentamycin (an aminoglycoside antibiotic), any of the antimalarial drugs that contain quinine, caffeine (common in otc headache medicines), and barbituates (anxiolytics).

Some of the common medical diseases and disorders than can cause ringing ears include: hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, fibromyalgia, hypertension, arteriosclerosis, diabetes, nasal congestion, ear infection, upper respiratory viral infection, anemia, Meniere’s disease, traumatic head and/or neck injury, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, otosclerosis, tumors of the brain, nerves or glands, exposure to loud sounds, perforated ear drum, deterioration of the cochlea or other parts of the ear due to the natural aging process

There are many potential causes of ringing in the ears.  Many individuals will unnecessarily tolerate ear ringing for years before discussing their symptoms with their physician. However, there are many treatable cause of tinnitus, so any person who is experiencing persistent ringing or buzzing sounds in the ears should contact their health care provider.  Some cases of tinnitus will resolve with time, whereas cases of tinnitus that are more chronic may respond well to adjusting medications, adding a therapeutic medication for tinnitus, manipulating the sound environment, or specific neurological procedures that can be done for tinnitus.

[MPa1182]

Wow, this is more common than I thought.  I am 28 years old and this has been happening to me for probably the past 6 - 8 years.  When I am trying to sleep and I lay down on my right side, my left ear begins to vibrate like crazy...as someone else said, it's like someone literally starts playing the drums on my ear drum.  The strangest thing about it is that it alleviates when I adjust the position of my head, which involves not "covering" my ear (i.e. sleeping with my head only partially on the pillow.).  If I lay on my left side which is my "comfort" side (the easiest side for me to sleep on) I do not experience the drumming in my left or right ear.

I've started noticing it a bit more recently, and it is now becoming an annoyance and distraction when I try to sleep.  It makes me worry, which keeps me up longer, and sometimes I even worry that the drumming will drive me insane.  Just to compare with everyone else, here are some general facts about my health:

- I drink caffeine frequently
- I am on bystolic for hypertension
- I have severe acid reflux and am on prescription meds for it
- I am far too heavy for my age and height (240 lbs, 5'10 at 28 yrs)
- I suffered from ear infections frequently as a child

This seems to be an undiagnosed condition, since every person here seems to have stories about their doctors either dismissing this drumming sensation or being completely unable to help.  Obviously the amount of people suffering from this suggests otherwise...it must be either an as yet undiagnosed condition or a strange form of tinnitus.  The following things have helped me:

- Laying with partial head inclination
- Laying with head only partially on pillow, with ear "hanging off" or rather not being covered by pillow
- switching the side I sleep on (my left side or comfort side does not produce the drumming in the right ear)
- having a "distraction" noise in the room (my wife is the biggest obstacle as it tends to keep her up)
- laying on my back

I notice the drumming the most frequently when I am very nervous or stressed, or when I have a lot on my mind and thoughts just come jumbling in.  I am concerned about this condition and I feel like doctors are not hearing us out about it.

[OzoneHole]

Try putting a finger in your ear when the drumming starts.  That stops my ear from vibrating.  However, this is not a practical solution.  Other objects do not stop my vibration.  I tried a form-fitting earplug and that didn't work.

This is not necessarily something that will go away with time.  I have had this vibration since I was 21 and I am now almost 42.  Physicians are clueless and don't seem concerned.  When they start talking about 'tinnitus' I can tell that they don't know what the heck they are talking about.

I both hear and feel the vibration dep inside my ears.  The vibration is very arythmincal.  That is, it is not a regular 'drumbeat', but rather like a monkey going crazy on a drum.  As such, the effect is very much like a muscle spasm.  However, anti-spasm medications have had no efect.
This happens most often when I am laying down.  However, it has happened when I am standing up.
My right ear is usually affected, but the left is sometimes affected and rarely both ears vibrate at the same time.
At night, usually turning my head so that the effected ear is down will stop the vibration.  When this vibration happens during the day, no reorientation will stop it.
For the first fifteen or so years, at night any sound, such as the refrigerator turning on, would stop the vibration.  However, external sounds no longer stop it.
Humming stops the vibration as does talking.  The vibration returns within 10-20 seconds after I stop talking or humming.
I asked my wife to put her ear to mine while this was happening and she said that she could hear the vibration.

Maybe if a few of us got together we could interest a physician enough that he or she might publish a paper.

[Lomchevak]

Very good contributions, Ozone and MP. I, too, have been experiencing this ear drum muscle spasm for quite some time; a few years now, increasing in frequency. Yesterday I went to NASA to do training in the altitude chamber and had an opportunity to have the NASA doc there take a look, because I always have ear pain on rapid decent, and did in the chamber as well. While the doc saw no blood or fluid, I took the opportunity to ask him about this pounding in my left ear. He said it was a muscle spasm and suggested I see an ENT.

For me, it is mostly noticable at night. Lying with my left ear (the one that pounds) down on the pillow helps reduce it significantly. But something different for me is that noise will cause it to spasm more; so instead of the unrhythmic rhythm it flares up to spasm during the time the noise happens (such as my husband talking, or me talking), and will settle back down to its non-rhythmic frequency when the noise stops.

I ingest caffeine regularly.
I had frequent ear infections and tonsillitis and croup as a young child
My ears seem to produce a lot of wax and itch very frequently.
I have had occasional sinus flare-ups the past few years.
I have no other health problems and am not on any drugs.
I do take vitamin supplements.
I am presently overweight but my weight fluctuates.
I do not smoke and very rarely drink
I do fly and I am exposed to the engine vibrations, which even ANR headsets do not eliminate.
I am 48