Vibrations in One Ear

[flyingOlive]

Yesterday afternoon I started feeling a vibration, like a fast flutter, in my right ear.  It sounds like a heartbeat but VERY fast. It's not constant, but it's still here after a shower, after putting some water in my ear and knocking it out again, etc.  What is this? How long should I wait before going to a doctor?

[tomsant]

From your description, it appears to be due to the repeated contractions of the small muscles attached to the ear drum. Called 'myoclonic' contractions. Usually ignored.

You may visit the ENT to make sure there is nothing else.

Best rgds,

Thomas Antony

[maxine716]

I have had the annoying ear fluttering for many years, and my regular doctors have  been clueless. Finally I may go to an ENT, but I did some research on line and found this:

http://www.emedicine.com/ent/TOPIC235.HTM

My fluttering seems to be a type of muscular tinnitus, perhaps caused by deterioration of some nerves in the area after some type of injury and/or muscle spasm.  

What to do? I'm going to try taking Niacin which is a known blood vessel dialator, and Ginko which has similar effects. There is also accupuncture, which can relieve some types of spasms, but it can also create spasms.  In addition to the Niacin and Ginko, I think I'm going to try some yoga poses standing on my head, which engage and strengthen the neck muscles near the ear. (I know it sounds strange, but many people are realizing the health benefits of yoga poses, especially those where the heart is positioned higher than the head.)

One site I read said that surgery to cut a certain tendon near the ear was the way to relieve the fluttering, but this sounds pretty extreme. I'm going to try the natural route.
Good luck to you!