What Causes Fullness And Fluttering Sensation In Ears?

Posted on Fri, 14 Nov 2014

Question: i just went to an ENT appointment
where I have some fluttering in my ear when people speak to me aswell as constant fluttering in right
tinnitus and ear fullness

The specialist looked into my ears with microscope and found no fluttering
listened to a vien in my neck to see if he heard anything: Found Nothing
no fluids or anything found in ear, NO hearing loss from test

he said he thinks its muscle spasms and prescribed muscle relaxant

looking for a second opinion as to what could cause ear fullness and fluttering when people speak or I am on the phone

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (38 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Myoclonus leading to tinnitus.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query,

1. It seems that your ENT Specialist agrees with my diagnosis of a muscle spasms (myoclonus) either in the ear or in the eustachian tube and soft palate.

2. Muscle relaxants may not help in subduing the smallest muscles in the body (the muscles in the middle ear), however, they may work on the palate muscles.

3. It is better to follow each and every instruction and to get each of the investigations mentioned in my previous answer. For example, it is better to do a neck doppler study in addition to auscultating the neck. It should also be noted that the ear drum not visibly fluttering under a microscope does not rule out the myoclonus of the middle ear muscles..

4. These are rare, difficult conditions to treat and hence you must meticulous and patient. Kindly follow up directly at bit.ly/Dr-Sumit-Bhatti with the results in detail.

Hope I have answered your query. If you have any follow up queries, I will be available to answer them.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (4 hours later)

Also when I stick my fingers in my ears it sounds like I'm standing right by a train, rumbling by

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
This is normal.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. You may have noticed it now but most people would have the similar sensations after closing the ear canal with their fingers.

2. The reasons for hearing the rumbling noise are many:
a. Closing the ear canal lowers the background noise, enabling you to concentrate on the internal sounds.
b. The slight leak of air produces an effect similar to listening to a sea-shell.
c. The resonance of your own breathing and voice can be heard.
d. Sound travels faster and without attenuation (loss) through solid medium such as the skull bones. This is an alternate normal pathway for hearing which is why you can never shut down hearing completely by blocking the external ear canal.
e. Turbulent blood flow may be heard as a rumble.
f. Everyone normally has fine tremors in the fingers, which may be the source. Try blocking the ears with swimming ear plugs instead to rule this out.

Hope I have answered your query. If you have any follow up queries, I will be available to answer them.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (8 hours later)

1 more question,
I have been researching and found that Sleep Apnea can cause a ton of ear problems
now, my ent yesterday looked and seen that my tonsils were kissing tonsils and that he had no doubt that I have sleep apnea {which I do not know if i have sleep apnea}

I just wanted to reach out to you with that question to see if my tonsils and sleep apnea could be the culprit or cause of my ear condition

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Tinnitus may affect your sleep.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. Sleep Apnea is defined as more than 30 episodes of Apnea (cessation of breathing) for 30 seconds or more during 8 hours of sleep.

2. A Sleep Study (Polysomnography) helps document this accurately.

3. One of the commonest symptoms of OSAS (Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome) is EDS (Excessive Daytime Sleepiness).

4. Sleep Apnea alone is unlikely to be the sole culprit in causing your ear condition. It may add to your difficulty in sleeping.

Hope I have answered your query. If you have any follow up queries, I will be available to answer them.

Regards.

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

Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (42 hours later)

I have went to another ENT he found nothing, but did no give MRA or MRI to search for any problems

I have this full feeling right below my ears
Helicopter sound when I plug my ears with my fingers could be rhythmic i cant tell yet, but I can feel my heartbeat in my head which I dont know if its from congestion or so

I have a whooosing sound in both ears like wind being blown into my ears also with ringing tinnitus

When I pop my ears, If I keep my head in that popping position i can feeling the helicopter sound coming from middle of my head

Please I really need insight, it is messing with me pschycologically

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
MRI / MRA is not a priority.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. MRI Scans are normal in almost 99% of tinnitus patients. Hence scanning is not a priority unless additional symptoms are present.

2. A normal MRI/ MRA helps rule out many conditions that may cause tinnitus.

3. A brain SOL (Space Occupying Lesion) is very rare.

4. You need to upload all the test and examination results suggested earlier.

Hope I have answered your query. If you have any follow up queries, I will be available to answer them.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (32 minutes later)

I have to constantly pop my ears and they feel full which I think Is ETD

this helicopter and whooshing sound is driving me crazy

When I get to my next ent appointment which is Wednesday should I request all, of those test?

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Mild ETD. Tests are essential.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. The fact that your ears pop constantly means that the ETD is mild.

2. Yes, all the tests are essential. Upload the results here.

Hope I have answered your query. If you have any follow up queries, I will be available to answer them.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (1 hour later)

Mr Bhatti I forgot to add one last thing
Depending on how my head is laying, say if I lay on my back with head turned to right, then my right ear would have the whooshing sounds and also flutter a little. Almost like when you start a car and it putts or backfires

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (27 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Investigations as advised.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query.

1. Atherosclerosis causing turbulent blood flow in the arteries is only one of many causes of tinnitus.

2. Cervical spondylosis usually affects the basilar arteries which travel through the cervical spine. Get a Neck Vessel Colour Doppler Study done.

3. Kindly let me know the results of your investigations. This will help in suggesting further treatment.

Hope, I have answered your query. Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (2 days later)

I have another appointment with an ENT tomorrow would you please resend link to upload results?

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
bit.ly/Dr-Sumit-Bhatti

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

You may upload the results directly at bit.ly/Dr-Sumit-Bhatti

Awaiting your reply,

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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar