It sounds like I have the same thing going on. Feels as if there’s water in my ears and someone is constantly (fast and sporadic) tapping my head. Like a small popping constantly in my right ear. It does not match my heart at all and is not rhythmic. I can’t find any relief. Any suggestions for at home relief anyone??
I have periodic thumping in my right ear for a month or so. It does not match my pulse. I have had ringing in both ears for couple years. Today I am trying a decongestant. Any other ideas?
Did you get a diagnosis / solve this? I have the same thing only when in bed. Like the percussion section in my ear -- thumps 7 - 12 times in a row and then pauses for about 30 sec. only to resume. No change in head or body position - even trying to sleep sitting up -- will stop it. So no sleep. Bad. Going to make ENT appt tmw.
Jones911--im happy to report my thumping has completely gone away. I still have some ringing, but it doesn't really bother me nearly as bad as the thumping. The thumping was driving me crazy!!
Hi Gary, I have read a lot of your post because your situation sounds similar to mine. I saw one post mentioning that you think your thumping had to do with loud music . Can you explain more what happened and how long the whole ordeal lastest?
With me- the morning after I had been listening to very loud music with earbuds ( using them on a walk near loud traffic so I didn't notice just how loud it was )..I went to bed that night and woke up a few hrs later with the thumping/fluttering in the left ear. Intermittent -on and off all day. I went to the closest urgent care - and also like your story they assumed I had a sinus issue. I took sudafed for a few days and nothing. May I ask what was your music situation and how long did the thumping last ? I am trying to get an appointment with an ENT but the GP suggested first to go to audiology but I was told they will just test for hearing- but my hearing is fine its just the thumping which is making me anxious at best- and if it keeps going probably will make me go insane its so annoying. The GP did recommend Flonase Which Ithink you said you think it worked for you -but how did it work if your issue was noise related and not sinus ? I am going to take it since they suggested it but doubtful its the issue.
Hi @gerardcame, Welcome to Connect, an online community where you can share your experiences and find support from other patients. I moved this discussion to the Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat group to connect you with other members.
Hello. I'm researching this as I'm having a drumming feeling in my left ear. However, specific sounds cause it. I've isolated these sounds to a running water faucet that has a higher frequency of sound. I went to an ENT and I wasn't very impressed with the doctor. He prescribed carbamezapine. I took it for a couple of days but I just didn't trust this doctor so I'm going for a second opinion at a Naval Hospital as I think I'll get better care there. I honestly think civilian doctors don't like military patients because they don't collect much on their bills. I don't know for sure.
Hello I just started this symptom yesterday. Mayo connect is so amazing in that all of these wonderfully strange symptoms exist - it’s comforting somewhat to know I am in good company. Mine is also rapid like a drum / thumping. No swooshing or heartbeat and Not is synch with heart. Left ear only - I have an appt with the ENT in 3 weeks. I have had tinnitus for about 20 years but not the tapping. It’s in the background but constant. If I put pressure on my ear and rub it - it stops momentarily. I am fit with normal BP.
Hello I just started this symptom yesterday. Mayo connect is so amazing in that all of these wonderfully strange symptoms exist - it’s comforting somewhat to know I am in good company. Mine is also rapid like a drum / thumping. No swooshing or heartbeat and Not is synch with heart. Left ear only - I have an appt with the ENT in 3 weeks. I have had tinnitus for about 20 years but not the tapping. It’s in the background but constant. If I put pressure on my ear and rub it - it stops momentarily. I am fit with normal BP.
I started with the same symptoms in one ear in August. It has come and gone frequently since then. I discovered through this site and others’ comments that this is MEM (middle ear myoclonus) and is evidently quite rare but not normally dangerous just aggravating. The best suggestion I’ve seen here is to join the MEM Facebook group. There’s so much info from others who have this condition. I’ve found that many doctors have never heard of it. 🤷♀️ But there’s info out there you just have to search for it.
Thanks ! Interesting to note that in the pub med studies I just read stress can bring this condition on. I have been stressed lately with a lot of life situations at once - wondering if that has been a casual factor. It seems to just be isolated to the tapping rhythm in the left ear. It doesn’t change due to exercise etc. so it doesn’t seem to be connected to blood flow or the heart. It seems to be a little better today.
well, I've had this thumping going on in my right ear for over 3 weeks I've been to the E NT doctor 3 times I've also had to EKG and am now going to do a stress test and an echocardiogram. ENT doctor said it was tinnitus. but the noise seems louder after I've been working hard so I'm wanting to rule everything out. it's not my heartbeat in my ear its more rapid, the only relieve are quality ear plugs, not sure if they will cause damage after extensive use. not sure what started it but right now the earplug's do work.
I have had a rapid thumping in my right ear for a few years. For the first 2 years, it would only bother me in spurts of a week or two, and mostly at night. However, for the last 6 months or so, it has bothered me almost every night and I lose a lot of sleep over it. It seems to be highly stress-related, though I am continuing to look into a contributing physical cause such as a narrowed blood vessel. So far, I've had a CTA scan on my head, and basic cardiovascular tests including heart tests, and everything has come back normal. I also have regular Tinnitus, which I've had for 15 years, though that doesn't' bother me much.
I also notice this same rapid rhythm can move around, such as to my left hear, or last night, even into my neck. However, 95% of the time, it's in my right ear and that is where it's most bothersome. I am getting desperate due to the lack of sleep, so I'm trying to figure out my next move.
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I just got this this morning did you ever find out what it was?
I just started these same symptoms, did you ever find out what it was?
Hi did they ever diagnose you? I have similar rapid fast thumping almost like a drum playing that last a few seconds and sporadic
Hi Gary, I have read a lot of your post because your situation sounds similar to mine. I saw one post mentioning that you think your thumping had to do with loud music . Can you explain more what happened and how long the whole ordeal lastest?
With me- the morning after I had been listening to very loud music with earbuds ( using them on a walk near loud traffic so I didn't notice just how loud it was )..I went to bed that night and woke up a few hrs later with the thumping/fluttering in the left ear. Intermittent -on and off all day. I went to the closest urgent care - and also like your story they assumed I had a sinus issue. I took sudafed for a few days and nothing. May I ask what was your music situation and how long did the thumping last ? I am trying to get an appointment with an ENT but the GP suggested first to go to audiology but I was told they will just test for hearing- but my hearing is fine its just the thumping which is making me anxious at best- and if it keeps going probably will make me go insane its so annoying. The GP did recommend Flonase Which Ithink you said you think it worked for you -but how did it work if your issue was noise related and not sinus ? I am going to take it since they suggested it but doubtful its the issue.
Hello. I'm researching this as I'm having a drumming feeling in my left ear. However, specific sounds cause it. I've isolated these sounds to a running water faucet that has a higher frequency of sound. I went to an ENT and I wasn't very impressed with the doctor. He prescribed carbamezapine. I took it for a couple of days but I just didn't trust this doctor so I'm going for a second opinion at a Naval Hospital as I think I'll get better care there. I honestly think civilian doctors don't like military patients because they don't collect much on their bills. I don't know for sure.
Hello I just started this symptom yesterday. Mayo connect is so amazing in that all of these wonderfully strange symptoms exist - it’s comforting somewhat to know I am in good company. Mine is also rapid like a drum / thumping. No swooshing or heartbeat and Not is synch with heart. Left ear only - I have an appt with the ENT in 3 weeks. I have had tinnitus for about 20 years but not the tapping. It’s in the background but constant. If I put pressure on my ear and rub it - it stops momentarily. I am fit with normal BP.
I started with the same symptoms in one ear in August. It has come and gone frequently since then. I discovered through this site and others’ comments that this is MEM (middle ear myoclonus) and is evidently quite rare but not normally dangerous just aggravating. The best suggestion I’ve seen here is to join the MEM Facebook group. There’s so much info from others who have this condition. I’ve found that many doctors have never heard of it. 🤷♀️ But there’s info out there you just have to search for it.
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1 ReactionThanks ! Interesting to note that in the pub med studies I just read stress can bring this condition on. I have been stressed lately with a lot of life situations at once - wondering if that has been a casual factor. It seems to just be isolated to the tapping rhythm in the left ear. It doesn’t change due to exercise etc. so it doesn’t seem to be connected to blood flow or the heart. It seems to be a little better today.
well, I've had this thumping going on in my right ear for over 3 weeks I've been to the E NT doctor 3 times I've also had to EKG and am now going to do a stress test and an echocardiogram. ENT doctor said it was tinnitus. but the noise seems louder after I've been working hard so I'm wanting to rule everything out. it's not my heartbeat in my ear its more rapid, the only relieve are quality ear plugs, not sure if they will cause damage after extensive use. not sure what started it but right now the earplug's do work.
I have had a rapid thumping in my right ear for a few years. For the first 2 years, it would only bother me in spurts of a week or two, and mostly at night. However, for the last 6 months or so, it has bothered me almost every night and I lose a lot of sleep over it. It seems to be highly stress-related, though I am continuing to look into a contributing physical cause such as a narrowed blood vessel. So far, I've had a CTA scan on my head, and basic cardiovascular tests including heart tests, and everything has come back normal. I also have regular Tinnitus, which I've had for 15 years, though that doesn't' bother me much.
I also notice this same rapid rhythm can move around, such as to my left hear, or last night, even into my neck. However, 95% of the time, it's in my right ear and that is where it's most bothersome. I am getting desperate due to the lack of sleep, so I'm trying to figure out my next move.