I'm trying to figure out what's wrong. For several years on and off, I've had that inner ear itch that just about drives me crazy. A few years ago, I applied so much pressure to the outside of my ear that I felt I had caused the vertigo I started experiencing a few days later (my ear was sore too). The vertigo was annoying but not too bad. Just stressful not knowing what it was from. Went to the doctor and he prescribed medication but it went away after a few weeks.

Back to the problem. I still get the inner ear itch, usually in my left ear. I chalked it up to TMJ just from doing research on the internet. From time to time, I would have this drumming or echoing in my ear. Not sure how else to describe it. But it happens mostly with the TV and certain tones. Usually low voices. Middle to high voices don't affect me. I turn the volume down very low and then it gets better. But the best way to rid this sound is to lay on my left side or turn my ear away from the television and then it goes away! Putting cotton in my ear has no effect, the drumming continues with cotton. Adjusting my head works. Now why would that be?

This didn't happen very often before but now it happens all the time with no let up in sight. Other sounds do not trigger this. My hearing does not seem to be affected - however, it almost seems supersensitive when it comes to these tones from the television (any TV will cause this). I am reluctant to go to the doctor as I've not had good experience in the past but might have to because the past few days I've been feeling a small pain in my ear - very small and fleeting. This could be all in my head - it wouldn't surprise me but I'm just wondering if this sounds familiar to anyone? I did read a post here that said something like the sound of wings in the ear and that does come close to what I hear but I would equate mine with my ear drum going off in an drum or echo type sound triggered by certain tones from the television.

I have a vision problem called Fuchs' Dystrophy, and I'll eventually need to have cornea transplants. Evidence of this is foggy vision and halos, etc. Foggy vision can come and go. Supposedly it is not affecting my vision according to the eye doctor. I am in my mid 40s and shouldn't be affected for many years yet. The reason I bring it up is because I've read about the vision problems on this board and had no idea it could be something else (like an ear problem) causing a similar symptom! I experience the brain fog also. My eyes will often feel puffy (not my eyelids but the eyes themselves) and a feeling of just not feeling good until I take a hot shower and try to "wake up" out of the fog. For some reason, letting very warm (almost hot) water run on my face helps a bit. Unfortunately, it does nothing for my ear.

One other thing about my vision, when tracking something that is moving horizontally - like a horse or my dog walking in front of me while I am following with my eyes, my vision tracking starts this jerky motion. It's very quick and goes away fast. Only happens when tracking something. Of course, mentioning it to an eye doctor or regular doctor gets me nowhere. They say my eye muscles are just fine and I feel like an idiot. This started happening about 3+ years ago. Now when I'm extra tired (I work on the computer) I notice it happening when reading on the computer. Just a quick jerk and then it's gone. Like a hitch somehow - both eyes. This couldn't be related to an ear problem, could it?

As far as balance - about a month ago, I felt like I was going to fall down after turning to look at my husband very quickly. It was so strange and my stomach was a bit queasy after that and the feeling went away fairly quickly. I felt like I was falling into myself. I can't describe it, it was so weird and scary. This was before the ear drumming started to get worse.

At this point, the ear thing is mostly an annoyance. I just want the drumming to cease so I don't have to lay on my left side or turn away from the television. Has anyone heard of these symptoms? Any advice would be appreciated so that I can know what to ask the doctor when I do get the nerve to go in. I think I'm going through perimenopause as well and last time I was there I started to cry and the doctor just looked at me like I was nuts. I don't want that to happen again!

Anyway, thanks for your time. You're a real trooper if you've made it this far!

Cuidiu

Hello,

The drumming you describe is almost certainly muscular, and can be related to myofascial pain dysfunction (tmj without jaw joint involvement) or tmj. The things to look into are tensor tympani or tensor velor palatini syndrome, another thing to look up is myoclonus, or palatal myoclonus. It can also have a neurological basis and is often treated by neurologist. Generally it is a benign condition, which responds to treatment with benzos, or muscle relaxants. Basically it is a muscle spasming. If it stems from a myofacsial problem, this could also account for your brainfog, itching ear and ear pain. In fact they all sound very consistent with an MPD or tmj problem.

It is possible you have more than one thing going on. I developed MPD problems after acquiring a vestibular disorder. IMO the two conditions can feed off each other. The jumping eyes and vertigo sound inner ear related. It might be worth seeing a neurotologist - specialists in the inner ear, dizziness etc to get some inner ear tests done. Another possibility is that your vertigo attacks/dizziness is migraine related. One of the triggers for migraine - and a type of migraine called MAV (migraine associated vertigo) is thought to be tmj or mpd. In my case it seems I may have MAV which is exacerbated by muscular problems in my jaw/neck.

I experience the thumping in my ears, and at one time had a hideous vibration sound and sensation in my ears. Wearing a nightguard to stop clenching my teeth calmed it down, and when it was at its worst I used valium - as a muscle relaxant, not an anxiety drug. Like you, my regular doc didn't know a thing about it, it was a neuro oto and the dental hospital that recognised the symptom. Books that might be helpful are 'The Trigger Point Therapy workbook' which describes trigger point massage you can do, stretching of your neck and jaw muscles can also be very helpful.

Hope this helps,

best,

hbep

Thank you hbep, for the reply and the good information! I feel much more informed. I have noticed my tmj seems to be getting worse. It never really caused problems other than a popping sound but now there is more than one sound to jaw movements and when yawning a few weeks ago, it felt like I'd slipped my jaw out of place and back in again very quickly. It was frigtening and painful, I thought for a moment I'd really injured myself but nothing came of it other than a slightly sore jaw for a day.

Anyway, thank you again for your helpful post. I suppose it's off to the doctor for me.

C

Books that might be helpful are 'The Trigger Point Therapy workbook' which describes trigger point massage you can do, stretching of your neck and jaw muscles can also be very helpful.

Hi

I don't have much advice, the inner ear is a tough thing to figure out, All sorts of symtoms come with this because when the inner ear is affected a lot of sysmtoms can come and go. So perseve. But is sounds based on the visual symptoms could definately be inner ear. Make sure you see a neurotologist, not just an ENT.

Good Luck Let us know how it goes.
Jade :angel: