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?

[julesp56]

I've been suffering from this pulsing noise in my right ear for about 4 years now.  The first time was about 2 or 3 beats and I was lying down.  I was a bit freaked out but it didn't happen again for another year.  Again it happened last year - every time seems to coincide with a stressful event.  This time, about 2 weeks ago it started when I went to bed and it didn't stop.  All night I was awake with the thumping noise in my ear.  I saw two specialists last year.  One gave me an MRI and couldn't find anything.  The other gave me a Cat Scan and found that I have a 'high riding jugular bulb'.  Basically my jugular vein is a bit wider nearer my right ear.  However, he said I was 'probably' born with this, so not explaining why I would be hearing the heartbeat.  He let me go without really ever explaining anything, but told me it could get worse or it could get better.  I wasn't happy but as long as it wasn't ruining my life, I thought I'd be fine.  Now I'm not sleeping, I've had to get sleeping tablets from my GP and I'm seeing yet another ENT specialist tomorrow.  The most depressing thing is that everything I read says this is not treatable.  My blood pressure is fine, but I do feel my head is 'full'.  It happens mostly when I come home from work and lasts til morning.  At work I'm fine.  I tried over the counter water retention pills and for two blissful nights my ear was quiet.  However they don't work any more.  I may try Sudafed as someone has suggested here, but I'm hoping the specialist tomorrow will not fob me off like the last two.

Juliet

[susie197702]

I also have a high riding jugular vein,Dr.did not think it was a big deal, it is very close behind  my ear on the right side,I am very award of it and hear very beat of my heart. I have skip beats also and can hear very one of those also and fast beats at time,Dr. said he could orperate, but it is very close to the brain and not worth the danger it could cause.

[poulianna]

I just posted... new to this site... anyway... I just had an episode of thumpping sound in my ear, left one to be exact.  It didn't hurt.... short lived, and no longer there... gone :-)   It just caught me off guard because it had been a while since I had felt and heard that sound in my ear....

thanks

[poulianna]

I just had an episode.  Sounds like someone beatng a drum.  doesn't hurt.  just caught me off guard couse I have had these sounds in my ears before... but it had been a while.  

lasted for a short time ... been gone since I started this post

Anna

[BozUK]

Going right back to one of the earliest posts, this condition may be myoclonus, not monoclonus.

I found a useful (but slightly technical) article  at http://www.tinnitusjournal.com/detalhe_artigo.asp?id=71 which suggested applying firm pressure to lower cheekbones (zygomatic bone) using heel of hands for about 30 seconds.

It has just worked for me, though you might want to check with medical staff before trying it.  Better than sticking my finger etc. in my ear. Just looks weird to my co-workers.

Hope this helps some of you suffering out there.

[lfo555]

I am 22 and I have had this problem for short periods of time (one hour to a few days) on and off as long as I can remember.  It's never been a huge issue because it eventually goes away but it is an annoyance.  
For me it is an extremely irregular thumping sound much like others have described...kind of like a pulse sound but not at all related to my actual heartbeat. Sometimes it is one or two noises and sometimes it sounds like a drumroll they are so fast.  
I also feel a weird sensation in my eye when it happens (like my right eye if my right ear is making the noise) like it's going to start watering.  It's more uncomfortable than my ear!!
I think the twitch idea sounds the most probable, and as someone mentioned above, when I put my finger in my ear as far as it can go it stops, so I am going to try the ear plug trick and see if it works.

[snowyowl23]

Hallelujah ! I'm not alone. My right ear has had this same thumping for about three years off and on. Yesterday it was very annoying and yet today my ear just feels "stuffed up" and no noise. Another symptom seems to be a "crackling" when I swallow.  I am also a sufferer of "reflux" and notice that when that is acting up, so are my thumping sounds. Last night I took Zantac for my reflux and have had no thumping yet today... is this related???? I also have TMJ and wear a night guard for that like many others who have posted. I am a bit relieved to see that most people who have been scanned for  blood vessel blockages showed no sign of that.  I lay awake anxiously at night thinking that a blood vessel is blocked, causing a build up of some sort and that each time I hear the "thump" the vessel is letting loose. I just say my prayers that I don't have a stoke!!!  
There sure seems to be enough of us with this complaint to warrant a study at least.... Hey all you med students out there... do you need a study for your thesis????