i have a pounding in one ear.. like a heartbeat.. what could...

<< Back to: Tinnitus Frequently Answered Questions v2.7

Answer by Kheads
Submitted on 4/8/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Vascular or Pulsatile Tinnitus: It is common to occasionally hear one's own heartbeat in the ears. This is a result of blood flow through large blood vessels, the carotid artery and jugular vein, carrying blood to and from the heart and brain. In addition, there is a network of microscopic vessels traversing the middle ear. In times of stress, such as strenuous exercise, illness, and middle ear infections, the flow of blood is temporarily increased and may be more audible. An evaluation by a physician is important when pulsatile tinnitus is progressively louder, constant, or is associated with hearing loss, hoarseness, or swallowing problems. This may be due to thickening of the carotid artery, common with aging, or tortuosity in the course of the vessels. Other considerations are vascular tumors or aneurysms. Further evaluation including MRI and/or CT scans will be necessary. Source: http://www.umm.edu/otolaryngology/tinnitus2.html (Maryland Hearing and Balance Center)

FAQS.ORG makes no guarantees as to the accuracy of the posts. Each post is the personal opinion of the poster. These posts are not intended to substitute for medical, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. FAQS.ORG does not endorse any opinion or any product or service mentioned mentioned in these posts.

<< Back to: Tinnitus Frequently Answered Questions v2.7

[ Home | FAQ-Related Q&As | General Q&As | Answered Questions ]

Question by ju
Submitted on 3/9/2004
Related FAQ: Tinnitus Frequently Answered Questions v2.7
Rating:	Rate this question:
i have a pounding in one ear.. like a heartbeat.. what could it be.. its not sore its just anoying pounding all the time.

Answer by Paul
Submitted on 4/3/2004
Rating:	Rate this answer:
Internal heat produces this kind of blood sound in the ears, usually the right ear. The causes are many, but a daily coffee habit is probably at the top of the list.

Answer by chittychat
Submitted on 7/1/2004
Rating:	Rate this answer:
it's pulsatile tinnitus

Answer by prinj
Submitted on 11/5/2004
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Or just a clogged up ear...have your Doctor rinse it out and you'll be rid of it in a heartbeat! (just came back from the doc)

Answer by jan
Submitted on 2/17/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I have had a pulse in my ear for years now. It happpens when I am active, Mostly. Now I am having inner ear problems. Hearing loss, full feeling in the eye, drainage of glue like substance, a warm feeling in the ear, like infection. My doctor says she knows "not" what it could be to cause a heartbeat noise in the ear. It must be fairly rare. I am going to go to a specialist. I hope my doctor will not get offended, but my health is more important than her sensitive feelings. If she can't help me, maybe a specialist can. A ear, nose, throat specialist.

Answer by funnyface
Submitted on 7/19/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I also have this wierd symptom which came on suddenly after a game of tennis on a humid night.

Answer by friend
Submitted on 7/20/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
my friend has relentless right ear pounding too, initially diagnosed as pulsatile tinnitus, but after a CT scan was determined to be mastoiditis (though she cannot remember having an ear infection and has no pain with the pounding). Hopefully the antibiotic will take care of it and that you are better too!

Answer by rnmom
Submitted on 9/26/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I wish I had an answer to your question because I have the same problem also in my right ear. My doctor put me on HCTZ to decrease pressure, but no positive results yet. Boy is it annoying.

Answer by chris vork
Submitted on 9/28/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
i don't believe it is coffee. the heart beat just started 6 days ago. i only have one cup of coffee a day. this is very annoying and seems more like a virus. thank-you,chris

Answer by snookie
Submitted on 10/3/2005
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
i have the same sound in my left ear my heart beats in time with it , it is very annoying and keeps me awake at night. it is made worse due to alcohol , smoking and caffeine

Answer by Nutritionist1
Submitted on 4/24/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Ear Wax High Blood Pressure Carotid Narowwing AVM Tinnitus And many others, if continues, check w/ your MD Good Luck.

Answer by Carl
Submitted on 5/22/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
The first part of April I took an airplane from Salt Lake City to Atlanta & back. When I got back I was able to "hear/feel" my heartbeat in my right ear. In Mid-May I took airplane from Salt Lake to St. Louis and back. Problem went away.

Answer by sum163
Submitted on 6/7/2006
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I have the same problem. It's been off-and-on for over 2 years now. I've been reading a lot about it and it could be a number of things. Inner ear infection (possible to have without pain), blood vessels near ear not flowing blood properly, tumors, tinnitus. I don't think what I have is tinnitus. Tinnitus is described as clicking, whistling or cracking sounds. That is not what I hear. I hear heartbeat and when I press on my artery in my neck, I can't hear it in my ear. Probably not good. I'm making an appt w/ Ear Nose and Throat specialist soon. I will let you know what the dr. finds.

Answer by SamanthaP
Submitted on 1/9/2007
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I have this same problem!!!! I think it is due to fluid in the space behind the eardrum (middle ear). This condition occurs when a blockage of the tube that connects the throat and middle ear (eustachian tube) prevents fluid from draining normally out of the middle ear space and prevents air from entering the middle ear. It is called Otitis media with effusion. Usuall the body will absorb the fluid withing weeks.

Answer by glwst@yahoo.com
Submitted on 1/12/2007
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I get the heartbeat usually when I awake at 3 a.m. but it goes away when I fall asleep.

Your name or nickname:
If you'd like to create a new account or access your existing account, put in your password here:
Your answer:

Answer by Wendy
Submitted on 1/16/2007
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Hi there. I have this too. It is in my right ear. I don't drink coffee. Do you know what causes it? It has come on very suddenly. Please help! It is driving me insane.

Answer by Holly
Submitted on 2/21/2007
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
Wisdom teeth?

Answer by aphillip1
Submitted on 5/16/2007
Rating: Not yet rated	Rate this answer:
I just found out that anemia causes pounding in the ear. Ask to have your hemoglobin checked.