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Hi I Have Now Some Time Since I Started To
Question: Hi
I have now some time since I started to have an issue with my left ear.
I sometimes have a pulse in my left ear when I hear certain noises. I must stress that this doesn’t always happen, but sometimes.
Most of the time when is a sharp noise (for example if talking on the phone and the phone is connected at the car’s speakers, or if someone is talking on my left side). The noise makes my ear to pulse, but this is not always.
What do you think it can be?
Thank you in advance
Mirabela
I have now some time since I started to have an issue with my left ear.
I sometimes have a pulse in my left ear when I hear certain noises. I must stress that this doesn’t always happen, but sometimes.
Most of the time when is a sharp noise (for example if talking on the phone and the phone is connected at the car’s speakers, or if someone is talking on my left side). The noise makes my ear to pulse, but this is not always.
What do you think it can be?
Thank you in advance
Mirabela
Brief Answer:
Details as discussed below:
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. From the above description, check if the sounds match your pulse. Pulsatile tinnitus can be linked to the levothyroxine you are taking for hypothyroidism. Erratic absorption can be a cause. Take the tablet on an empty stomach before food. If it is indeed pulsatile tinnitus, a Carotid Doppler Study should be done. Any medical condition (many are common, easily treatable) which changes blood viscosity and blood flow characteristics can cause pulsatile tinnitus.
2. If you are overweight get your eyes examined (fundoscopy examination) done to rule out Benign Intracranial Hypertension.
3. Get your ears examined to rule out any ear wax. Get a PTA (Pure Tone Audiogram) and (Impedance Audiometry or Tympanometry) done. The phenomenon of 'recruitment' in particular frequencies in hearing loss can explain this intermittent noise.
4. I must emphasize that in the vast majority of patients of tinnitus, the cause is never found. However, there are further treatment options depending on the type of tinnitus. You can upload these test results to discuss further management.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.
Regards
Details as discussed below:
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. From the above description, check if the sounds match your pulse. Pulsatile tinnitus can be linked to the levothyroxine you are taking for hypothyroidism. Erratic absorption can be a cause. Take the tablet on an empty stomach before food. If it is indeed pulsatile tinnitus, a Carotid Doppler Study should be done. Any medical condition (many are common, easily treatable) which changes blood viscosity and blood flow characteristics can cause pulsatile tinnitus.
2. If you are overweight get your eyes examined (fundoscopy examination) done to rule out Benign Intracranial Hypertension.
3. Get your ears examined to rule out any ear wax. Get a PTA (Pure Tone Audiogram) and (Impedance Audiometry or Tympanometry) done. The phenomenon of 'recruitment' in particular frequencies in hearing loss can explain this intermittent noise.
4. I must emphasize that in the vast majority of patients of tinnitus, the cause is never found. However, there are further treatment options depending on the type of tinnitus. You can upload these test results to discuss further management.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Hi
Thank you for your response.
I do take the levothyroxine on an empty stomach.
I am within normal weight and have a healthy eating lifestyle.
I actually feel like my ear is blocked, and at the same time in the past year I had one of my nostrils blocked as well(I thought that it was because I was pregnant, but I gave birth and still have the nose blocked). I am not sure if it is relevant.
The pulse in the ear doesn’t match my heart’s pulse.
Thank you
Thank you for your response.
I do take the levothyroxine on an empty stomach.
I am within normal weight and have a healthy eating lifestyle.
I actually feel like my ear is blocked, and at the same time in the past year I had one of my nostrils blocked as well(I thought that it was because I was pregnant, but I gave birth and still have the nose blocked). I am not sure if it is relevant.
The pulse in the ear doesn’t match my heart’s pulse.
Thank you
Brief Answer:
Details as discussed below:
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the query.
1. A thyroid function test will help determine if the levothyroxine dose is fine or needs to be adjusted. Any hyperthyroidism can cause such intermittent sounds.
2. If your weight is normal, Benign Intracranial Hypertension is less likely.
3. Since the ear is blocked, get your ears examined to rule out any ear wax. Get a PTA (Pure Tone Audiogram) and (Impedance Audiometry or Tympanometry) done.
4. Nasal blockage and ear stuffiness are usually related to allergic rhinitis, inferior nasal turbinate hypertrophy. or sinusitis. You should get your allergy tests done.
5. It is very common for patients to approach me for allergy issues after pregnancy and delivery. During pregnancy, your body undergoes many changes including hormonal, weight, diet, stress, and newer baby products never used in the past.
6. These audiometry tests and allergy tests are the way forward. Based on these we can discuss further medication and management.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.
Regards
Details as discussed below:
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the query.
1. A thyroid function test will help determine if the levothyroxine dose is fine or needs to be adjusted. Any hyperthyroidism can cause such intermittent sounds.
2. If your weight is normal, Benign Intracranial Hypertension is less likely.
3. Since the ear is blocked, get your ears examined to rule out any ear wax. Get a PTA (Pure Tone Audiogram) and (Impedance Audiometry or Tympanometry) done.
4. Nasal blockage and ear stuffiness are usually related to allergic rhinitis, inferior nasal turbinate hypertrophy. or sinusitis. You should get your allergy tests done.
5. It is very common for patients to approach me for allergy issues after pregnancy and delivery. During pregnancy, your body undergoes many changes including hormonal, weight, diet, stress, and newer baby products never used in the past.
6. These audiometry tests and allergy tests are the way forward. Based on these we can discuss further medication and management.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.
Regards
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. Arnab Banerjee
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