Hearing my heartbeat in my ear

[Cantstopeatingchocolate]

I have been hearing what I think is my heartbeat in my left ear. Sometimes it's really loud, other times not so Much and sometimes it's almost like I can 'feel' the pulse too. I've basically realised I only hear it when I'm sitting relaxing and not concentrating on anything in particular, I.e. At night or when I wake up.
I was thinking about going to doc after googling it but now it's stopped.
Has anyone else had this?
Should I go to doc anyway and explain what was happening?
Googling, BTW, was not helpful. Got a few forums that could explain it but said docs don't do much for you.

[Cherryminx]

Why would you waste the doctors time about this?

[MummaGiles]

Sounds like a form of tinnitus - very much how mine manifests

[BlossomCat]

It's very normal. Your carotid artery runs quite close to your ear, so hearing your pulse there is a common occurrence.
Do not worry about it, I would imagine that a lot of the population can hear their pulse at some point.

[Corneliussnitch]

I had this for a while it was tinnitus after an ear infection and perforated ear drum, it was very loud for a while but did settle

[CuppaTeaAndAJammieDodger]

It could be pulsatile tinnitus - if so there is a possibility that it could be indicative of an underlying condition (my father had this and ended up having 2 embolisations under anaesthetic to deal with a arterial junction malformation).

In the nicest possible way - please ignore cherryminx and speak to your GP.

[Cantstopeatingchocolate]

Thanks all
Even if it's nothing, it would be better to put my mind at rest.
I have had a perforated eardrum and another infection about a year later so it could be something nice and simple.

[FlossiesFurCoat]

It could be related to anaemia. I had this.

[dottyaboutstripes]

Yes to anaemia. I think it's worth seeing the GP

[NanaNina]

OP listen to blossomcat she's spot on! It's a VERY common occurrence but I didn't know why till I read blossom's informative post. She's obviously a HCP. So NO don't bother going to the GP. It's nothing to do with tinnitus or anaemia that I do know!

[SpunBodgeSquarepants]

OP I've had this exact problem for over two months now, but in my right ear. I DID see my GP who had a look and said my eardrum looked 'cloudy' and my ear canal was slightly red and swollen, so she diagnosed an ear infection even though I told her it didn't hurt at all. I completed a course of amoxicillin anyway, but of course it hasn't helped.

It's got worse over the last couple of days. My GP did say to go back if the antibiotics didn't help. I've been googling too and there are lots of possible causes besides it being pulsatile tinnitus. I really hope it's not tinnitus as I don't think I can live with this.

[CuppaTeaAndAJammieDodger]

NanaNina

Internet diagnoses - so very reliable! You have no idea if this is the cause, a possibility yes. What do they say about assumption again?

[Corneliussnitch]

Nananina, it can be a form of tinnitus, so that you do not know, I was told this by an ENT consultant at the time

[Musicaltheatremum]

Yes it can be associated with anaemia.

[MiniMum97]

It can be tinnitus and anaemia. If it is tinnitus and it's only in one ear it is very important to get it checked out as one ear tinnitus can be caused by a tumour on the ear. Very unlikely of course and could well be just normal artery noise as previously suggested but definitely get it checked out.

[Cantstopeatingchocolate]

spunbob
I'm with you, I really hope it's not tinnitus. It's mildly annoying just now but I could see it becoming really distracting.
I don't go to the doctor for much , I normally see if ithings clear on there own, which is why I ended up with a perforated ear drum.
But I think I will check this out for peace of mind.

[QuestionableMouse]

Did you get checked out? I've been having this on and off all week and it's driving me mad. Got an appointment for tomorrow but wondering what your GP said.

[cjt110]

Wondering if there's an update on this. U've been directed here from another thread. I landed from flying on Friday AM and ever since get a throb/pulsating sensation in my right ear which was painful during descent.