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What Causes Pulsating Sounds In Ear?

Posted on Fri, 31 Oct 2014

Question: I've had sinus pressure and headaches and a pulsing sound in my left ear for over a year. I don't have an ear infection or sinus infection. I don't have a brain aneurysm per a brain MRI and there is nothing wrong with my carotid artery on the left side per ultrasound. What do I do next to find the cause and get some relief?

Answered by Dr. Abubakar Siddiqh (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Interventions.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Welcome to HCM,

I had gone through your question and understand your concerns.

I see similar cases amongst veteran people who visit my clinic. There are several causes for tinnitus, some times cause will not be known.

Missing things in your case is

1. Audiometry tests to know associated hearing losss.

2. x ray temparo mandibular joint - to know joint disorders.

3. Brain stem evoked response- meniers disease, acoustic neuroma.

4. Medications.

I suggest you to to consult ent surgeon and get detailed ent examination, evaluate all these possibilities.

Hope this answers your question, if you have additional questions or follow up questions then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your questions.

Wishing you good health.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju

Follow up: Dr. Abubakar Siddiqh (15 minutes later)

Thank you, yes I had a hearing test when I saw the ENT. I could barely hear the beeps for the pounding in my ears. At the time of my test, I only heard the pulsing (Bom pa pom) in my left ear and my right ear seemed to be stopped up. The results showed normal in left and a decreased hearing in the right.

I have had jaw joint pain in the past. I had a side effect from taking buspar. My jaw protruded forward and I was unable to relax it. This went on for months. A neurologist at a medical university diagnosed it as diskenesia and dystonia. After I stopped taking buspar my jaw joint fell back in place.

I have an appt. Oct. 21 with an ear specialist at Wake Forest.My medications include Synthroid, Paxil, Lisinopril, Claritin

Answered by Dr. Abubakar Siddiqh (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Need complete evaluation by an ENT doctor.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for follow up.

Might be these two causing your tinnitus.

It is good that you have appointment with ent surgeon and get appropriate treatment.
And take x ray of tempero mandibular joint and evaluate other possibilities those i had mentioned in earlier answer like meniers disease.

If you have additional questions or follow up questions then please do not hesitate in writing to us.

Wishing you good health.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju

Follow up: Dr. Abubakar Siddiqh (20 minutes later)

Ok thank you. I hope the specialist I'm seeing at Wake Forest will be thorough. Will he take x-ray and evaluate me for meniers disease? Or will I need to see someone else?

Answered by Dr. Abubakar Siddiqh (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Interventions

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for your follow up.

Yes. Go ahead with ENT consultation and interventions. They should treat you well.

Hope I have answered your question.

Wishing you good health. Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari

Follow up: Dr. Abubakar Siddiqh (2 hours later)

Ok I hope so. I have headaches everyday and the noises in my left ear wake me up at night. I'm looking forward to getting some help with this. Thank you

Answered by Dr. Abubakar Siddiqh (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Ent consultation

Detailed Answer:
HI,

Thanks for follow up.

Go ahead for the consultation and interventions.

Give me feedback of your reports of the investigations and examination findings by your doctor for me to give you advise in future.

All the best. take care.

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj