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Wind In My Ear???
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SopE7 posted:
Hi Dr. Moser,

I have been having this wind sound blowing in my ear for 2wks. now going on 3 wks. I thought nothing of it at first in hopes that it will go away, but it hasn't. It only goes away and comes back. Describing the sound in my ear to be like wind is the best way I can put it... but if you really want to know... the weird thing is that its really like the sound of your baby's heart beat when your pregnant and they let you hear it for the first time when getting your ultra sound. Like a wind noise but with a pulse to it. Tonight it came back again (the wind noise) and it gets loud and softens up, but the point is that its back again. I became aggravated and started searching on-line for some answers... when I saw that it could potentially be a problem I became worried and came hear for some answers.

Now I recently got over some bad headaches that would come and go like a week or two ago, but I changed my diet took some Excedrin Migrane medicine (I havn't been diagnosed with migranes but my headaches were so bad I took them) and I havn't had any headache since, but I don't know if that has anything to do with it. My boyfriend is a producer so sometimes when he calls, there is loud music in the back ground that amplifies when he is on the phone seems like, but I just deal even though it bothers my ears at times...and never take the phone away from my ear, I just tell him to turn it down, & sometimes he doesn't think that its loud. My mother tends to be dramatic sometimes and suddenly screams to where it scares you if something wierds her out so that bothers my ears as well ... but nothing major has happened to my ear lately.

I need to know if this is something that I need to see a docter for, or should I just wait it out to see if it will go away? What could this be that I am experiencing? & What can be done about it professionally if I were to seek medical help? If you could shed some light on this for me... I would really appreciate it, Thank you!
10 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Wind In My Ear???Hi Dr. Moser, <br><br> I have been having this wind sound blowing in my ear for 2wks. now going on 3 wks. I thought nothing of it at first in hopes that it will go away, but it hasn't. It only goes away and comes back. Describing the sound in my ear to be like wind is the best way I can put it... but if you really want to know... the weird thing is that its really like the sound of your baby's heart beat when your pregnant and they let you hear it for the first time when getting your ultra sound. Like a wind noise but with a pulse to it. Tonight it came back again (the wind noise) and it gets loud and softens up, but the point is that its back again. I became aggravated and started searching on-line for some answers... when I saw that it could potentially be a problem I became worried and came hear for some answers. <br><br>Now I recently got over some bad headaches that would come and go like a week or two ago, but I changed my diet took some Excedrin Migrane medicine (I havn't been diagnosed with migranes but my headaches were so bad I took them) and I havn't had any headache since, but I don't know if that has anything to do with it. My boyfriend is a producer so sometimes when he calls, there is loud music in the back ground that amplifies when he is on the phone seems like, but I just deal even though it bothers my ears at times...and never take the phone away from my ear, I just tell him to turn it down, &amp; sometimes he doesn't think that its loud. My mother tends to be dramatic sometimes and suddenly screams to where it scares you if something wierds her out so that bothers my ears as well <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/grin.gif" align="top" border="0"> ... but nothing major has happened to my ear lately. <br><br>I need to know if this is something that I need to see a docter for, or should I just wait it out to see if it will go away? What could this be that I am experiencing? &amp; What can be done about it professionally if I were to seek medical help? If you could shed some light on this for me... I would really appreciate it, Thank you!
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Rod_Moser_PA_PhD responded:
Yes, you really do need to see a good ENT specialist, since there can be many causes to account for your symptoms. Since an appointment can take several weeks in some areas, you can always cancel it if your symptoms miraculously resolve. However, after three weeks, that seems a bit less likely.

If your sounds are indeed, pulsatile, at the same rate and rhythm of your own heart, this can be PULSATILE TINNITUS.

Pulsatile tinnitus can be caused by many medical conditions:

Vascular abnormalities -- a problem with an adjacent artery or vein (the jugular vein has a pulsation is high on the list of causes). Glomus tumors (a non-cancerous growth in or near the blood vessels) are occasionally found. Carotid stenosis (closing or narrowing of this neck artery) can cause pulsatile symptoms. There are other causes, including hypertension (high blood pressure), patulous eustachian tubes (open tubes leading from throat to ear), palatomyoclonus (spasms of muscles in the soft palate) and stapedial muscle spasm (the tiny muscle attached to the stapes bone in the middle ear).

If the sound does not match your hearbeat and is more random, wind-like, it could mean that you have PATULOUS EUSTACHIAN TUBES - e-tubes that are more or less locked in the "open" position, when they should be closed. Your hearing sensitivity is non-specific and could be related to many things.

As you can see, this is not an easy issue to solve, and it certainly cannot be solved over the Internet. This is concerning you, so I would suggest that you make the arrangements to get it medically-addressed.

Let me know how things turn out...
Report This| Share this:Wind In My Ear???Yes, you really do need to see a good ENT specialist, since there can be many causes to account for your symptoms. Since an appointment can take several weeks in some areas, you can always cancel it if your symptoms miraculously resolve. However, after three weeks, that seems a bit less likely. <br><br>If your sounds are indeed, pulsatile, at the same rate and rhythm of your own heart, this can be PULSATILE TINNITUS. <br><br>Pulsatile tinnitus can be caused by many medical conditions: <br><br>Vascular abnormalities -- a problem with an adjacent artery or vein (the jugular vein has a pulsation is high on the list of causes). Glomus tumors (a non-cancerous growth in or near the blood vessels) are occasionally found. Carotid stenosis (closing or narrowing of this neck artery) can cause pulsatile symptoms. There are other causes, including hypertension (high blood pressure), patulous eustachian tubes (open tubes leading from throat to ear), palatomyoclonus (spasms of muscles in the soft palate) and stapedial muscle spasm (the tiny muscle attached to the stapes bone in the middle ear). <br><br>If the sound does not match your hearbeat and is more random, wind-like, it could mean that you have PATULOUS EUSTACHIAN TUBES - e-tubes that are more or less locked in the "open" position, when they should be closed. Your hearing sensitivity is non-specific and could be related to many things. <br><br>As you can see, this is not an easy issue to solve, and it certainly cannot be solved over the Internet. This is concerning you, so I would suggest that you make the arrangements to get it medically-addressed. <br><br>Let me know how things turn out...
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SopE7 responded:
Thankyou so much Dr. Moser for your insight on this. I will be contacting my doctor immediately to be recommended to an ENT, and I will let you know how things turn out for sure!
Report This| Share this:Wind In My Ear???Thankyou so much Dr. Moser for your insight on this. I will be contacting my doctor immediately to be recommended to an ENT, and I will let you know how things turn out for sure!
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SopE7 responded:
Hi Dr. Moser,

It seems like it took forever for me to finally get to my appointment at the ENT specialist, you all are pretty busy. So my doctor examined me, I had an hear test to rule out any hearing problems, and in conclusion I indeed have Pulsatile Tinnitus. From here I am scheduled for a coratid ultrasound Monday of next week to begin the process of finding out what is causing my pulsatile tinnitus.

I will admit I'm nervous because I've been having these horrible headaches lately, but don't know if that has anything to do with it.

I am surprised that I wasn't scheduled sooner for this ultrasound, because from what I was told by my doctor and research on the web about this condition it could be a sign of something more serious going on. So I am a little worried in the mean time because I havn't been feeling well in general. He did mentioned that I was young so he would be surprised if it was something more serious, but in my head I'm worried because to me from the headaches I've been having lately I want things to be looked at quickly.

After next week I will be letting you know what was found on the ultrasound. My ultrasound was scheduled for next week so, should I be getting a quicker response or a more immediate appointment for this carotid ultrasound? Or is this a normal response because I am young and serious conditions are not expected at my age from pulsatile tinnitus?
Report This| Share this:Wind In My Ear???Hi Dr. Moser, <br><br>It seems like it took forever for me to finally get to my appointment at the ENT specialist, you all are pretty busy. So my doctor examined me, I had an hear test to rule out any hearing problems, and in conclusion I indeed have Pulsatile Tinnitus. From here I am scheduled for a coratid ultrasound Monday of next week to begin the process of finding out what is causing my pulsatile tinnitus. <br><br>I will admit I'm nervous because I've been having these horrible headaches lately, but don't know if that has anything to do with it. <br><br>I am surprised that I wasn't scheduled sooner for this ultrasound, because from what I was told by my doctor and research on the web about this condition it could be a sign of something more serious going on. So I am a little worried in the mean time because I havn't been feeling well in general. He did mentioned that I was young so he would be surprised if it was something more serious, but in my head I'm worried because to me from the headaches I've been having lately I want things to be looked at quickly. <br><br>After next week I will be letting you know what was found on the ultrasound. My ultrasound was scheduled for next week so, should I be getting a quicker response or a more immediate appointment for this carotid ultrasound? Or is this a normal response because I am young and serious conditions are not expected at my age from pulsatile tinnitus?
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Rod_Moser_PA_PhD responded:
Diagnostic tests are done in steps....so you are undergoing the first round of tests to narrow down the possible causes. As far as how fast they should be done, is really up to your doctor. If he was highly suspicious of you having a serious cause, I am sure he would have arranged for those tests to be done sooner. Right now, all causes are on the table. What will be even more frustrating to you (and your doctor) is when all of the tests are "normal". Be prepared, and please keep in mind that normal tests are really good news.
Report This| Share this:Wind In My Ear???Diagnostic tests are done in steps....so you are undergoing the first round of tests to narrow down the possible causes. As far as how fast they should be done, is really up to your doctor. If he was highly suspicious of you having a serious cause, I am sure he would have arranged for those tests to be done sooner. Right now, all causes are on the table. What will be even more frustrating to you (and your doctor) is when all of the tests are "normal". Be prepared, and please keep in mind that normal tests are really good news.
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SopE7 responded:
Dr. Moser,

I took the ultrasound, although I don't know the full results yet... I got to conversating with the tech who did my ultrasound and she mentioned to me that my arteries did look clear and that she hopes they find out the causing of this! I was so happy that my arteries were clear, the rest of the results I'm not sure of yet. But your right about the frustration. When I got home... the next day I became frustrated because I thought to myself ... "It will be very annoying if I have to live with this wind sound forever"! Its now constant everyday all day, so its getting pretty loud and bad to where I can hardly hear out my right ear.

I am due to go back to my ENT physician on Monday of next week. I am anxious to know the extent of the information from the ultrasound. If that is clear, then I know he will be sending me to a neuro physician next, or even an heart surgeon he mentioned to do more test to try to find out where the problem is coming from. I just hope it goes away one day, or can be treated. But one question, the tech said that my arteries looked clear, so does that mean I probably won't have to go to the heart doctor for test on my heart? Does it rule that out as well?
Report This| Share this:Wind In My Ear???Dr. Moser, <br><br> I took the ultrasound, although I don't know the full results yet... I got to conversating with the tech who did my ultrasound and she mentioned to me that my arteries did look clear and that she hopes they find out the causing of this! I was so happy that my arteries were clear, the rest of the results I'm not sure of yet. But your right about the frustration. When I got home... the next day I became frustrated because I thought to myself ... "It will be very annoying if I have to live with this wind sound forever"! Its now constant everyday all day, so its getting pretty loud and bad to where I can hardly hear out my right ear. <br><br> I am due to go back to my ENT physician on Monday of next week. I am anxious to know the extent of the information from the ultrasound. If that is clear, then I know he will be sending me to a neuro physician next, or even an heart surgeon he mentioned to do more test to try to find out where the problem is coming from. I just hope it goes away one day, or can be treated. But one question, the tech said that my arteries looked clear, so does that mean I probably won't have to go to the heart doctor for test on my heart? Does it rule that out as well?
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Rod_Moser_PA_PhD responded:
Don't go by what the tech says in the matter....let the ENT interpret those results since he has the ability to correlate your examination findings. There are so many things that need to be ruled out, so this is just the first steps. I don't know if this rules out a vascular cause, but any good news.....is GOOD NEWS.
Report This| Share this:Wind In My Ear???Don't go by what the tech says in the matter....let the ENT interpret those results since he has the ability to correlate your examination findings. There are so many things that need to be ruled out, so this is just the first steps. I don't know if this rules out a vascular cause, but any good news.....is GOOD NEWS.
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SopE7 responded:
Hi Dr. Moser,

Its me again, and unfortunately I am having the same problem, pulsatile tinnitus, wind in my right ear. It has only grown to be worse, and louder to where I can't even sleep at night. I was sent to the Neurologist because I was told by the ENT that he could do an MRI and see if he could see anything such as a small tumor that could be causing this, because I did explain earlier this year that I was having head aches with the wind in my ear. I went to the Neurologist and he told me he didn't have anything to do with "wind in my ear" or "pulsatile tinnitus", all he could do was see about my headaches. My MRI was normal, and I'm glad of that, but I also know that some small non risk tumors sometimes go unnoticed, but I'm glad of those results. The neurologist sent me to the eye doctor to check to see if the vessels in my eye could be causing the tinnitus, everything was fine there. I was never called back to the ENT for a follow up visit, and I was left confused. I feel like they just didn't help me, didn't even give me tools to help cope with this wind sound. I was told by my ENT that he would referr me to the heart doctor to check my heart as well, but the ENT never called me back or gave me a follow up visit. I noticed that when I bend my head down to pick something up off the floor, or get down low, I feel tremendous pressure in my head and the wind sound gets louder. I think something is wrong and I'm getting very concerned. What should I do? Should I go back to the same ENT and express my concern once more?
Report This| Share this:Wind In My Ear???Hi Dr. Moser, <br><br> Its me again, and unfortunately I am having the same problem, pulsatile tinnitus, wind in my right ear. It has only grown to be worse, and louder to where I can't even sleep at night. I was sent to the Neurologist because I was told by the ENT that he could do an MRI and see if he could see anything such as a small tumor that could be causing this, because I did explain earlier this year that I was having head aches with the wind in my ear. I went to the Neurologist and he told me he didn't have anything to do with "wind in my ear" or "pulsatile tinnitus", all he could do was see about my headaches. My MRI was normal, and I'm glad of that, but I also know that some small non risk tumors sometimes go unnoticed, but I'm glad of those results. The neurologist sent me to the eye doctor to check to see if the vessels in my eye could be causing the tinnitus, everything was fine there. I was never called back to the ENT for a follow up visit, and I was left confused. I feel like they just didn't help me, didn't even give me tools to help cope with this wind sound. I was told by my ENT that he would referr me to the heart doctor to check my heart as well, but the ENT never called me back or gave me a follow up visit. I noticed that when I bend my head down to pick something up off the floor, or get down low, I feel tremendous pressure in my head and the wind sound gets louder. I think something is wrong and I'm getting very concerned. What should I do? Should I go back to the same ENT and express my concern once more?
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Rod_Moser_PA_PhD responded:
Going back to the ENT is appropriate, but some ENTs will refer you to a subspecialist - an neurotologist. Finding the cause of the pulsatile tinnitus can be a long and frustrating journey...you may need some additional vascular studies, including the jugular veins in the neck (like an artery, the jugular has a pulsation that can often be heard in the ears - a branch of the internal jugular vein).

My heart goes out to you...I know how bothersome these symptoms can be.
Report This| Share this:Wind In My Ear???Going back to the ENT is appropriate, but some ENTs will refer you to a subspecialist - an neurotologist. Finding the cause of the pulsatile tinnitus can be a long and frustrating journey...you may need some additional vascular studies, including the jugular veins in the neck (like an artery, the jugular has a pulsation that can often be heard in the ears - a branch of the internal jugular vein). <br><br>My heart goes out to you...I know how bothersome these symptoms can be.
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Kananiokalani replied to Rod_Moser_PA_PhD's response:
I am experiencing this wind blowing whooshing sound in my left ear since mid December of last year and was, hoping it would soon go away. However, I feel kind of worried and will be going to the doctors soon.
Report This| Share this:Wind In My Ear???I am experiencing this wind blowing whooshing sound in my left ear since mid December of last year and was, hoping it would soon go away. However, I feel kind of worried and will be going to the doctors soon.
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Rod Moser, PA, PhD replied to Kananiokalani's response:
Go to an ENT...this really the best chance you will have to be properly diagnosed and treated.
Report This| Share this:Wind In My Ear???Go to an ENT...this really the best chance you will have to be properly diagnosed and treated.
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