1. < Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT)

Thumping in right ear, only triggered by sound

Posted by mdrake2020 @mdrake2020, Jan 11, 2020

This is a strange problem and difficult to explain so please bear with me here. This has been happening for almost 2 years now.

If both of my ears are completely exposed, 90% of the time I have no issues. Hearing is even on both ears. The other 10% of the time, certain midrange frequencies cause my right ear to thump along with the sound and usually only when they're pretty loud.

Now the main issue is that 100% of the time, if my right ear is partially covered for whatever reason (let's say I'm laying down on my side and part of it is covered, if I wear a hooded shirt over my head, or even if I put my hand over my right ear slightly), the thumping happens along with the sound. So let's say someone speaks a 4 syllable word, I'll get a thump with each syllable. Or if I'm hearing footsteps, each footstep causes a thump. This seems to happen along all frequencies (except maybe the very high ones). The weird thing is the thumping doesn't happen if I completely seal my LEFT ear. It'll only happen if my left ear is completely exposed and my right ear partially covered. It doesn't even have to be covered all the way. I can put my hand about 5 inches away from my ear and it'll trigger this problem.

I unfortunately can't afford to go to a ENT right now so I'm hoping someone has an idea about what's going on here. One thing probably worth mentioning is I've had acid reflux for 4 years. I actually went to an ENT because of pain all on my right side....my ear, throat, neck and head. He did an endoscopy but said he didn't see anything there to worry about, and thought acid reflux is causing my pain so he prescribed me some Ranitidine which I've been taking since then (just stopped a few months ago though). It did definitely help the ear pain when I began taking it but I did still have reflux episodes probably once a month throughout the 4 years. I'm thinking maybe this has caused some ear damage but I'm really not sure.

I appreciate any help I can get.

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myalatta1922 | @myalatta1922 | Dec 20, 2022
In reply to @myalatta1922 "I don’t know if you’ll see this reply since you posted this a while ago. but..." + (show)
@myalatta1922

I don’t know if you’ll see this reply since you posted this a while ago. but I’m experiencing this. Have for over a year.

thudding in my right ear to the best of words. maybe syllables I try to block it out when it happens but it is so hard to have conversations with men, with deep voices. my sister has a deeper voice and it does act up with her.

I’ve been to two ENT and they have no answer for me. One told me to lose weight and drink water. it’s only in my right ear. and it’s the hardest thing to describe but you described it better than I would have.

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@mdrake2020 have you found out what’s wrong?

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2 replies
mdrake2020 | @mdrake2020 | Dec 20, 2022
In reply to @myalatta1922 "@mdrake2020 have you found out what’s wrong?" + (show)
@myalatta1922

@mdrake2020 have you found out what’s wrong?

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Unfortunately I have not. Last time I went to an ear nose and throat doctor the charges for a 10 minute visit was ridiculous even with insurance.

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1 reply
myalatta1922 | @myalatta1922 | Dec 21, 2022
In reply to @mdrake2020 "Unfortunately I have not. Last time I went to an ear nose and throat doctor the..." + (show)
@mdrake2020

Unfortunately I have not. Last time I went to an ear nose and throat doctor the charges for a 10 minute visit was ridiculous even with insurance.

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That’s terrible. I’m so sorry. On top of having to deal with this mystery health issue. Health care is so inexcusable
Inaccessible to so many. Even me. I can’t find a bc ENT who will help me. I was told I need to lose weight and drink more water and my ear will stop. That makes no sense. My weight has fine. Has nothing to do with my ear. I haven’t gained any weight since this started. Who knows

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loremipsumism | @loremipsumism | Mar 20, 2023
In reply to @myalatta1922 "@mdrake2020 have you found out what’s wrong?" + (show)
@myalatta1922

@mdrake2020 have you found out what’s wrong?

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How's your ear doing? Your symptoms sound exactly like mine

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roseheadley | @roseheadley | Apr 18, 2023

I'm on google looking for the solution or reason myself!! This issue has been occurring for at least 6-7 years now. For instance if i have an ear bud in my right ear, the left ear will thump to the sound of every syllable, if i put my finger over the left ear hole, or take a piece of cotton and roll it really tight and then place it in the canal of the left ear it seems to go away, it does not happen to the right ear at all, always the left. It also happens if I'm in a car and there's a commercial that comes on or even a song, the thumping will happen and its unbearable, to the point that i have to turn the radio/music off. I am a 30 year old female and was a machinist for 14 years, until I recently acquired a herniated disc in my spine, a product of time and being hit by a car as a pedestrian when I was 16, but I digress, videlicet the thumping in my ear is driving me crazy, has anyone been to a doctor or discovered the reason for it?? I only have my right ear bud with me and I still have 1.5 hours of work left and I really want to listen to my podcast 🙁 Also, the thumping sometimes leads to a weird feeling headache.

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nnick | @nnick | Apr 19, 2023

I have a similar thumping or vibration to external sound in my bad ear but I am 8 months out from an attack of sudden sensorineural hearing loss. I think it is a nerve trying to heal. Have you had a hearing test to see if your hearing in that ear is ok? The only other thing I’ve done is to see a neurologist. I’ve found that more helpful than my ENT when it comes to anything with nerves. I hope that helps.

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gretchenbear | @gretchenbear | May 22, 2023

I have this same thing in my right ear only when my husband is sitting on my left side talking. It is so weird. I just change seats and it stops. It taps exactly to his words. It seems to be a lower tone for me because sometimes it happens with my adult son but never with my daughter. Always when sitting on my left side only.

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smagee21 | @smagee21 | Jun 22, 2023

Hi @mdrake2020
I found this while researching my symptoms as I have been experiencing the same exact thing in my left ear for about 2 years and have had trouble explaining the sensation (you explained it perfectly.) I recently visited a ENT and had several tests done to find the problem. However, they found I don't have any allergies, hearing problems, or noticeable ear issues. So, the doctor doesn't really have an answer.
Have you ever had issues with TMJ or jaw clicking? My ENT suggested the symptoms in my ear could be a result of TMJ.
If not, have you gotten any other answers as to what the problem could be?

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smagee21 | @smagee21 | Jun 22, 2023
In reply to @marsh26 "Hello, I have dealt with this exact issue for the past 8 or so years -..." + (show)
@marsh26

Hello,
I have dealt with this exact issue for the past 8 or so years - a painful “thump” in my right ear when sound is presented to left ear while right ear is covered. Like you stated, when both ears remain uncovered it is rare to experience this thump, but it will occasionally occur with certain frequencies. The “thump” is unique, not a “flutter”, and differs from any sort of tinnitus I’ve experienced. The onset was random; one night I just noticed it happen as I was watching TV. As the years have progressed, this thump has become more painful and easily triggered to the point where I have had to change certain behaviors (for example, positions I sleep in as even the smallest sounds from other areas of the house now trigger this “thump”).

I am currently seeing an ENT for this. My hearing test and audiogram are within normal ranges. We have ruled out MEM (abnormal middle ear muscle movement of tensor tympani and/or stapedius) as no middle ear muscle movement was detected when recreating the “thump” with an audiologist. My brain MRI was normal and showed no evidence of any sort of mass lesion or other abnormality. Our next step is a brain CT to look at the temporal bone to rule out SSCD. My ENT has consulted with numerous other ENTs and surgeons and no one can come to a general consensus on what the issue might be. If a clear diagnosis is able to be made upon further testing I’ll reply with an update. I hope this helps.

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Did you ever figure out the issue?
I'm having the same thing, my ENT also ran tests that all came out normal. They weren't able to find a likely problem and suggested it could be a result of jaw issues/TMJ.

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dreaminasecond | @dreaminasecond | Jul 16, 2023

Just wanted to update because this never was diagnosed but now I know and no dr. argues with me; they know that I am right. The fullness in my left ear is swelling in my left eustachian tube when I am experiencing a MCAS reaction which started with my 1st Covid vaccine or possibly developed after my 1st covid infection. Bummer, huh? It’s like I am allergic to Covid. And getting vaccinated just stirs it up terribly. Although now, I have a full blown autoimmune disease. I told doctors for a long time, that I feel like I am allergic to covid vaccines but nobody would listen. Well, I don’t want to go into all my grievances, but no one would listen to me, including my own family. I’m so tired of being a minority. This is ridiculous. I told them what was wrong and why and was treated like I have mental illness.

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