Thumping Sound in Ear

[anklesbroken]

I've just started having this weird thumping sound in my ear.  Just to describe it...

(1) It is a muted sound, much like when you pop your ear to try to equalize the pressure, but not as loud.  

(2) It is irregular, as in it doesn't follow my hearbeat in any way... but it is happening 14-15 times every minute.

(3) It does have a feeling to it... as in, when you hear a noise, it doesn't feel like something physical is happening to you... this feels something like pressure being relieved from the ear...

Anyone have a clue?

[mal2222]

I should add that like most of the postings here, I have been to see doctors and ENT specialists but none of them had heard of the problem and kept referring to it as tinnitus, but its definitely not that. I also have high blood pressure but that is medicinally controlled and I can't make a connection between my blood pressure and the thumping. To me the most logical explanation is the one about the spasm of the muscles in the middle ear, a bit like an eye twitch.

[Doodle2004]

I have had this problem for well over 20 years, it started with telephones.
If I use the hands free and dial, the ringing tones make my right ear thump like a change in altitude. I went to the ENT and had my hearing tested and they found nothing.
This week I purchased an electronic keyboard piano and when I play certain notes it causes the thumping. The odd thing is if I hold the phone to my ear or use headphones for the piano it does not happen. To me it seems to be if the multiplexed sound comes from about 2 to 3 feet away it causes the thumping, almost like a knee jerk reaction. As an analogy you can hit your knee all over until you hit that certain point then your leg jerks.
My ear thumping seems to be that way. I can hear all kinds of sound but certain harmonized notes from just the right distance seems to create that echo in my ear that causes it to jerk /thump. So I suggest you try this. Play a bunch of notes until you get the right combination. Repeat the experiment to make sure you have it right. Then let your ENT in on this tidbit of info, maybe it will help him diagnose the problem.
Ylfmathotmaildotcom - Marcel

[reb_enfilade]

It seems to only occur in my right ear when there is a low pressure system or weather moving into the area.  I only realized this after moving to Arizona from Illinois.  In Illinois is constantly rains and there is storm system after storm system.  In Arizona this only happens on occasion.  And I noticed on the occasion when low pressure weather systems are coming through the area my right ear goes thumping, thudding, etc..  its annoying

Now, that doesnt explain why its only my right ear and why its been happening for only the past 5 years.  I think it might have been from some ear damage i received while playing in a band.  but who knows.  i live with it.  thankfully the skies are usually sunny and clear in Arizona!!  

[bassman2010]

This happened to me for the first time this morning. Very annoying, as previous posters said. After I ate some almonds I had for a snack, I noticed that the sound is gone. Maybe the jaw crunching had some effect? Good luck.

[jaycue2u]

I have had this for about 9 months now and its bloody annoying. Its predomentially in my right ear but if im really lucky i get it in both ears at the same time!!! I went to the ENT doc last week and she just asked me if i were on drugs?! She then told me that it was probably tinnitus and to monitor it! I can spark it off by yawning hard or if i drink beer so im assuming its raised blood pressure that causes a muscle spasm in the ear. I can feel it like most others on here like a pressure and it seems to be getting louder. The thumping can last from anywhere from a couple of minutes to about 12 hours. I am keeping a diary of it now and have another appointment with the ENT in 6 months, hopefully i will get something sorted, fingers crossed.

[dylanjames]

I have had the thumping in my left ear since i can remember. i remember that the passing trains would set it off and over time i realized that most low pitch sounds would cause the thumping. It does not really bother me because i have always had it but i am more then curious why it happens. every doctor that i have asked all say its allergies but that is not the case.

the only thing i could find out is that the ear canal could be too narrow and the low frequency noise causes the canal to slap open and close causing the thumping sound.

Good luck to all