How to treat a "thumping" sound inside the ear
If there is a "thumping" sound inside the ear, treatment is generally unnecessary when caused by physiological factors. However, if it results from pathological conditions such as middle ear effusion, sudden sensorineural hearing loss, or temporomandibular arthritis, appropriate treatment should be selected based on the specific underlying cause.
1. Physiological Factors
If excessive cerumen in the external auditory canal leads to cerumen impaction and causes a thumping sensation in the ear, treatment is usually not required—simply removing the cerumen from the external auditory canal is sufficient.
2. Pathological Factors
1) Middle Ear Effusion: If the thumping sound is due to fluid accumulation in the middle ear, treatment options may include Eustachian tube inflation or tympanocentesis (fluid aspiration through the eardrum), as recommended by a physician.
2) Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: When the thumping sound results from sudden deafness, patients may be treated under medical guidance with medications such as mecobalamin tablets or ginkgo leaf extracts.
3) Temporomandibular Arthritis: If the thumping sound is caused by temporomandibular joint arthritis, treatment may involve medications such as diclofenac sodium sustained-release tablets or ibuprofen sustained-release capsules, following a doctor's advice. In some cases, surgical interventions like arthroscopy or joint cavity irrigation may be considered.
In addition, other conditions such as fungal external otitis or Ménière’s disease can also cause a thumping sensation in the ear. It is recommended to follow medical advice for proper diagnosis and treatment.