Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsIs It Serious?Causes and TreatmentDuring PregnancySeeking Medical Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Is It Serious?
Causes and Treatment
During Pregnancy
Seeking Medical Care
Fluttering in the ear can be an unsettling sensation. Whether it’s sporadic or persistent, understanding its causes and seeking appropriate treatment is essential for maintaining ear health. This article explores the various factors behind ear fluttering, potential symptoms, and when to consult a healthcare provider.
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Is Fluttering in the Ear Serious?
The sensation of fluttering in the ear can vary from person to person. Some describe it as a gentle, rhythmic movement, while others perceive it as a rapid, irregular flutter.Although it may not always indicate a serious condition, paying attention to any changes in your ear sensations is crucial.
Possible Causes and Treatment Options for Fluttering in the Ear
Causes and symptoms of ear fluttering can vary from person to person. Here are some of the more common reasons why ear fluttering may occur.
Earwax Buildup
Another approach is to flush out the wax buildup using a gentle water rinse:
High Blood Pressure
Elevated blood pressure, or hypertension, can affect blood flow to the inner ear. The small blood vessels in the inner ear are sensitive to hypertension. High blood pressure can cause these vessels to become damaged, leading to changes in the inner ear’s fluid dynamics and potentially causing tinnitus (ringing or buzzing sensation).
Managing blood pressure through lifestyle changes or medication is essential. If you have hypertension, it is essential that you work with your healthcare provider to manage your blood pressure levels. Some treatments include:
Tinnitus
Tinnitus causes may include:
Identifying underlying causes and managing them accordingly is crucial to help with tinnitus. Ways to treat tinnitus at home include:
Middle Ear Myoclonus
Treatment options for MEM include medications such as:
Consulting with an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist, or ENT) is essential for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.
Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) occurs when the eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the back of the throat, fails to open and close properly. This dysfunction can lead to problems with pressure regulation in the ear, resulting in symptoms such as ear pain, a feeling of fullness, hearing difficulties, and fluttering or popping sounds in the ear.
Inflammation or blockage of the tube due to these conditions prevents it from functioning correctly.
ETD symptoms are relatively common and resolve within a few days.
Treatment options for ETD include:
Patulous Eustachian Tube
Eustachian tube dysfunction and patulous eustachian tube (PET) are both conditions involving the eustachian tube, but they differ in how the tube’s function is impaired and their resulting symptoms. ETD involves a eustachian tube that fails to open properly, while PET involves a tube that remains abnormally open, disrupting normal pressure regulation and sound transmission.
Symptoms of PET include autophony (hearing one’s own voice loudly), a feeling of fullness, and a fluttering or echoing.
Treatments may include:
Meniere’s Disease
While the exact cause is unclear, potential contributing factors include:
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone, slowing down the body’s metabolic processes. This can cause a range of symptoms, including fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, dry skin, hair loss, and depression.
Some studies have shown a higher incidence of thyroid dysfunction, such as hypothyroidism, in people with Meniere’s disease.
It is unknown exactly why this occurs. However, hypothyroidism can lead to fluid retention in the body, including the inner ear, which may cause a sensation of fullness or fluttering. Thyroid hormone imbalance can also affect blood circulation, potentially impacting blood flow to the inner ear.
Treatment for hypothyroidism typically involves thyroid hormone replacement therapy with synthetic hormones like levothyroxine.
When Fluttering in the Ear Occurs in Pregnancy
During pregnancy, ear fluttering or ringing sensations can occur due to various factors related to hormonal changes and physiological adjustments in the body. These changes can impact the auditory system, leading to ear-related issues, including:
These issues will typically go away after giving birth.
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
Reach out to your healthcare provider if:
Summary
Fluttering in the ear can stem from various conditions, from earwax accumulation to underlying health issues like high blood pressure, tinnitus, and eustachian tube dysfunction. Identifying the cause is crucial for appropriate treatment.
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.ENT Associates of Worcester.What does fluttering in the ear mean?Medline Plus.Ear wax.Figueiredo RR, Azevedo AA, Penido NDO.Positive association between tinnitus and arterial hypertension.Frontiers Neurology.2016;7. doi:10.3389/fneur.2016.00171.Medline Plus.High blood pressure in adults – hypertension.Medline Plus.Tinnitus.Top Doctors UK.Part one: Silencing middle ear myoclonus.Llewellyn A, Norman G, Harden M, et al.Interventions for adult Eustachian tube dysfunction: A systematic review. Southampton (UK): NIHR Journals Library; 2014 July.Bance M, Tysome JR, Smith ME.Patulous Eustachian tube (Pet), a practical overview.World Journal of Otorhinolaryngoly-Head and neck surgery.2019;5(3):137-142. doi:10.1016/j.wjorl.2019.08.003.National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.Meniere’s disease.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).Kim, S.Y., Song, Y.S., Wee, J.H. et al.Association between Ménière’s disease and thyroid diseases: A nested case–control study. Scientific Reports. 2020. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-75404-ySwain SK, Pati BK, Mohanty JN.Otological manifestations in pregnant women - A study at a tertiary care hospital of eastern India.J Otol. 2020;15(3):103-106. doi:10.1016/j.joto.2019.11.003Medline Plus.Tinnitus.
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.ENT Associates of Worcester.What does fluttering in the ear mean?Medline Plus.Ear wax.Figueiredo RR, Azevedo AA, Penido NDO.Positive association between tinnitus and arterial hypertension.Frontiers Neurology.2016;7. doi:10.3389/fneur.2016.00171.Medline Plus.High blood pressure in adults – hypertension.Medline Plus.Tinnitus.Top Doctors UK.Part one: Silencing middle ear myoclonus.Llewellyn A, Norman G, Harden M, et al.Interventions for adult Eustachian tube dysfunction: A systematic review. Southampton (UK): NIHR Journals Library; 2014 July.Bance M, Tysome JR, Smith ME.Patulous Eustachian tube (Pet), a practical overview.World Journal of Otorhinolaryngoly-Head and neck surgery.2019;5(3):137-142. doi:10.1016/j.wjorl.2019.08.003.National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.Meniere’s disease.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).Kim, S.Y., Song, Y.S., Wee, J.H. et al.Association between Ménière’s disease and thyroid diseases: A nested case–control study. Scientific Reports. 2020. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-75404-ySwain SK, Pati BK, Mohanty JN.Otological manifestations in pregnant women - A study at a tertiary care hospital of eastern India.J Otol. 2020;15(3):103-106. doi:10.1016/j.joto.2019.11.003Medline Plus.Tinnitus.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
ENT Associates of Worcester.What does fluttering in the ear mean?Medline Plus.Ear wax.Figueiredo RR, Azevedo AA, Penido NDO.Positive association between tinnitus and arterial hypertension.Frontiers Neurology.2016;7. doi:10.3389/fneur.2016.00171.Medline Plus.High blood pressure in adults – hypertension.Medline Plus.Tinnitus.Top Doctors UK.Part one: Silencing middle ear myoclonus.Llewellyn A, Norman G, Harden M, et al.Interventions for adult Eustachian tube dysfunction: A systematic review. Southampton (UK): NIHR Journals Library; 2014 July.Bance M, Tysome JR, Smith ME.Patulous Eustachian tube (Pet), a practical overview.World Journal of Otorhinolaryngoly-Head and neck surgery.2019;5(3):137-142. doi:10.1016/j.wjorl.2019.08.003.National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.Meniere’s disease.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).Kim, S.Y., Song, Y.S., Wee, J.H. et al.Association between Ménière’s disease and thyroid diseases: A nested case–control study. Scientific Reports. 2020. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-75404-ySwain SK, Pati BK, Mohanty JN.Otological manifestations in pregnant women - A study at a tertiary care hospital of eastern India.J Otol. 2020;15(3):103-106. doi:10.1016/j.joto.2019.11.003Medline Plus.Tinnitus.
ENT Associates of Worcester.What does fluttering in the ear mean?
Medline Plus.Ear wax.
Figueiredo RR, Azevedo AA, Penido NDO.Positive association between tinnitus and arterial hypertension.Frontiers Neurology.2016;7. doi:10.3389/fneur.2016.00171.
Medline Plus.High blood pressure in adults – hypertension.
Medline Plus.Tinnitus.
Top Doctors UK.Part one: Silencing middle ear myoclonus.
Llewellyn A, Norman G, Harden M, et al.Interventions for adult Eustachian tube dysfunction: A systematic review. Southampton (UK): NIHR Journals Library; 2014 July.
Bance M, Tysome JR, Smith ME.Patulous Eustachian tube (Pet), a practical overview.World Journal of Otorhinolaryngoly-Head and neck surgery.2019;5(3):137-142. doi:10.1016/j.wjorl.2019.08.003.
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.Meniere’s disease.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).
Kim, S.Y., Song, Y.S., Wee, J.H. et al.Association between Ménière’s disease and thyroid diseases: A nested case–control study. Scientific Reports. 2020. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-75404-y
Swain SK, Pati BK, Mohanty JN.Otological manifestations in pregnant women - A study at a tertiary care hospital of eastern India.J Otol. 2020;15(3):103-106. doi:10.1016/j.joto.2019.11.003
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