Vibrating eardrum, pulsating sensation, on and off.

[Jon82]

Hi there,
about 5 or 6 weeks ago I started getting a vibrating feeling in my right ear. I thought it would pass but it soon got to the point of real annoyance, flaring up at night and lasting til the morning where I would get up and it would go away.
I got sick of it so I went to the doctor who checked my ears and said that it did look sore in there and perhaps I had an infection so they prescribed a low dose of amoxicillin.

I took about 1/3 of the dose and stopped because the symptoms went away. I didnt like the side effects (bad stomach) so I stopped taking it since the vibrating had stopped.

The vibrating came back though after a few days, and it became a constant sense of vibrating. I was back to the doctor and he prescribed a greater dose of amoxicillin and advised me to finish it, which I did this time. Great, no symptoms for the last week.

A couple of days ago however, the symptoms started again, and yet again, only at night. I went to bed with the annoying banging and awoke to it, only for it to go away during the day.

The doctor did tell me that it would take maybe 6 weeks to clear up, and since that time period has not yet passed, should I still be experiencing those vibrations? I think it has been about 4 weeks since I last went to the doctor. Things were going ok until it flared up again; is this to be expected?
Could this issue be an anxiety issue, since everytime I think 'hey, my eardrum hasnt bothered me at all recently',
it starts flaring up again?

[KS29]

I too am dealing with rhythmic pulsating in my ear.  It is hugely annoying.  I'm wondering if it's related to allergies or anxiety, or both. It does tend to happen at night when I'm tired, but also doesn't always go away in the morning- maybe due to stress and anxiety?  

[AndreiaBau]

I think you just diagnosed me. You described it perfectly. I'm getting out of sinusitis and I have had more coffee recently, too. As my symptons are recent, it figures.Thank you!

[Calbert1]

Your answer is very helpful to me, as I have been on the NSAID (anti-inflammatory) drug Meloxicam and for the past week, I have been taking cough syrup with phenylalanine (antihistamine).  I believe  you hit the nail right on the head!  I can't thank you enough!  You're awesome!

[Angelica510]

First of all, I'm sorry your suffering so much.
My mother had chronic ear ringing and after years of suffering with it a surgeon operated on her ear and she got well. I hope that can be an option for you and all with this terrible disease. Will pray for you and allsuffering readers.

[maximus_1st]

I get the sensation there is a psycho monkey drumming in my left ear for seconds, multiple times a day, everyday, yet sometimes I notice it less. It would be best described as a muscle spasm behind or around my ear. Never the right ear.
At first I thought it could be fatigue, cause it seemed like the feeling I get when I yawn real hard (lol), but after the two month, figured something's wrong.

I have this kind of probleme as I type, and for a couple of months from now. I started a new job, where there are alot of loud noises, and stress related to it's dangerous environement. I also take cafeine in coffes or energy drinks like 3 or 4 a week, never more.

As I surf the web for a solution, I came accros this page -
http://www.dizziness-and-balance.com/disorders/hearing/tinnitus/tensor%20tympani%20and%20stapedius%20myoclonus%20tinnitus.html -
I tought I'd share it with yous.
This syndrome is said to be a defensive mechanism of the body to prevent hearing loss by muscles contraction,reducing the vibrations of the eardrum, sorta like when you close your eyes to prevent eye damage.
Best soft-healing method I've found on the web yet are: massage shoulder and neck by a professional, physio, any anti-stress treatement. Get ALOT of good sleep, relaxation, hot towels on the neck muscles, massage, relax even more, reduce cafeine intake, meditate, tell yourself you are already healing, as your body is always trying to heal itself. Comforting your mind that it will cure because the source that triggered the defensive mechanism is gone now.
Hope this helps, and that we all get better soon!

[dennytate]

TY for the tinnitus info, but we're not talking about ringing or buzzing sounds in the ear. I do have tinnitus too, but the other issue we are all having is taking place in either the ear-drum or some type of muscle - if there are any at all, that is causing the ear drum to physically beat like a drum, it's not just a sound, you feel it moving, physically vibrating. It would be the same sensation if you put a miniature vibrator down your ear canal and turned it on.