The Sound of My Heartbeat in My Ear is Driving Me Insane
I’m a 14-year-old girl, standing at 5 feet 5 inches and weighing around 110 pounds. For the past three days, I’ve been experiencing an incessant sound of my heartbeat in my right ear. It never seems to fade away. Last night, I was unable to sleep; all I could hear was this relentless whooshing sound. I’m trying to ignore it, but it’s relentless, and I can feel it pulsing, too. Lately, it’s even causing me some dizziness. At times it’s like I’m on a boat, with lightheadedness accompanying even slight movements, particularly when I stand up from a seated position. This situation is genuinely starting to drive me mad. I spoke to my mom about it, and she reassured me that since there’s no pain involved, it’s likely nothing serious. She took a look at my ears and said they appeared normal and not infected. I understand her perspective, and I’m aware that antibiotics wouldn’t be effective, but I’m desperate for solutions. Is there any way this could resolve on its own? I feel utterly drained and my emotions are all over the place. I don’t have any medication aside from an inhaler for my asthma, which I seldom use. I’m not running a fever or displaying any signs of a cold, just this frustrating heartbeat echoing in my ear. I would greatly appreciate any advice, as I feel lost regarding what steps to take next.
Answers (1)
12/15/2025, 2:40:54 AM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable that experiencing a constant heartbeat sound (known as pulsatile tinnitus) in your ear can be incredibly frustrating and distressing. Your symptoms, including dizziness and lightheadedness, warrant attention, but there are steps you can take while waiting for your body to potentially resolve this issue.
Explanation:
Pulsatile tinnitus often occurs when blood flow changes around the ear or due to muscle contractions or changes in ear pressure. Given your age and the absence of pain, it's likely that the sound may be related to something benign, but the combination of sounds and dizziness indicates that monitoring your symptoms is crucial.
Next Steps:
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Monitor Your Symptoms: Keep a journal of when the pulsatile tinnitus and dizziness occur, along with any activities or situations that might trigger or worsen them. Note any other symptoms, like headaches or changes in your ears.
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Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water, which can help manage your overall well-being and keep your body functioning optimally.
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Avoid Irritants: Steer clear of loud sounds or environments that could exacerbate the noise in your ears. If you're around loud music or machinery, consider protecting your ears with earplugs.
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Limit Caffeine and Sugar Intake: These substances can sometimes exacerbate tinnitus, so try cutting back on them to see if it helps alleviate your symptoms.
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Practice Relaxation Techniques: Stress and anxiety can intensify the perception of sounds in your ear. Techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or gentle yoga may help.
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Rest and Sleep: Try to create a calming bedtime routine to improve your sleep quality. If the sound makes it hard to sleep, consider using white noise machines or soft music to mask the sound.
If your symptoms persist or worsen over the coming days, particularly if you experience additional dizziness, difficulty hearing, or any new concerning symptoms, it's important to seek medical advice. Even if it seems like a slow progression, your well-being matters, and you have the right to feel comfortable and clear-headed. Let me know if there's anything more you need!
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