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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Is ear fluttering a symptom of anxiety?

    Related Topics
    Anxiety Colds & Flu Ear, Nose & Throat Disorders
    I have been experiencing ear fluttering in the left ear for years now! GP says sinus or wax by I doubt that if its been years and only the one ear. It happens when I lay on my right side but if I lay on the ear it stops. Is it an anxiety symptom or something more?
    • 2 answers
    • Joe Gubbay
    • A/Prof Larry Kalish
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    Joe Gubbay

    Clinical Psychologist, Counsellor, Psychologist, Psychotherapist

    I have worked in public hospitals as well as private practice over the past 25 years. As a clinical psychologist I treat depression, social anxiety, … View Profile

    I wouldn't expect that sort of symptom to be anxiety.  Maybe a referral to an ENT (Ear Nose Throat) specialist would be a good idea?

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    A/Prof Larry Kalish

    Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) Surgeon

    There is a little muscle in the ear called the stapedius muscle responsible for stiffening the ear drum in case of loud noise - like all muscles some people get bursts of spasms - when it happens in the eye it's called a blepharospasm and when it occurs in the ear it is called stapedial myoclonus 
    Do NOT worry about it but it never hurts to have your ear looked at at least once - occassionally we will remove a hair or small ear cast which is the culprit

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