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Mental Health > Sleep Disorders Forum > Ear Sensations - pressure in my inner ears before sleep
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Q: Ear Sensations - pressure in my inner ears before sleep
asked by: Diterriter on September 1st, 2007
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Hi there

Sometimes I seem to have a strange sensation during a period that I'm "battling" to fall to sleep (it's a period of sleep where I am still conscious that I'm in bed and falling to sleep, but can't really draw a line between reality and thoughs (dreams) ). It's a sort of a half sleep.

Anyway, to get to the point.
Sometimes all of a sudden I seem to be feeling some kind of pressure in my inner ears, or ears, or head in general if you will.
It's like something is drilling inside my head, or some kind of fluid is in there, I don't know how to describe it. But it lasts for a short time and seems to increase for a second and two, then I kind of fight it and snap out of it, then it goes back for a second or two, then I fight it again and span out of it.
It feels like pressure building up and having a buzzing sensation inside my head, and for some reason (even though it's not really painful) I seem to
be determined to fight it every time, and I try to stay awake.
As soon as I start drifting away into sleep the pressure and buzzing is back, as if it is connected to loosing grasp of the reality of the room and bed (falling to real sleep).
The reason I fight it is because I get the feeling if the pressure and buzz increases my head is about to explode.

Now comes the interesting part.

I often have problems with ear grease building up which sometimes clogs up my ears so I have to go periodically to the doctor (maybe ever 3-4 months) to get my ears cleaned.
In recent time (past month) I've had this experience described above quite often, and it always feels like my ear drums are "drumming" , as if someone puts a finger in my ear and vibrates.

A few days ago I had my ears cleaned, and I could hear much better.
(a large amount of grease was removed)

This morning the experience happened again, and was quite different.
There was no drumming. It was "smooth", the buzz and the pressure feeling were increasing but there was no vibration.
And this time I seemed to "lose the battle" with the sensation and it went sort of "all the way", until I could feel an intense buzz in my head
and the whole thing sort of exploded and I could hear myself gasp for air
and wake up in an instant.
After that I was fully wake.

And I though. Since the experience of ear drumming changed with the physical properties of my ear (now its clean), what if this whole experience
has a physical component. And there is actually something going on in my hearing system, some kind of pressure buildup or whatever.

A few noteworthy things to add is that during these attacks, I tend to
shake (my whole body) as if having a seizure, and I feel physically trapped and paralyzed, and as the buzzing and pressure sensation progresses (within seconds) I seem to lose control of my body proportionally, and feel like my brain is collapsing into a black hole.

I'm pretty sure this is all standard sleep paralysis, but the reason I started
this thread is to see why is there a connection between by actual physical hearing system condition and the seizure sensation.
Is there something going on in the middle ear during these seizures
that actually makes air fluctuate in the hearing system (thus the change in sensation when my ears were unclogged)

thanks
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Replies(6)
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JR2439
replied on March 13th, 2008
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Pressure in ears during sleep
Hi,

Did anyone answe your question. The same thing happens to me a lot. I'm interested in finding out why this is so.
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anamnesis
replied on March 21st, 2008
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Re: Pressure in ears during sleep
Hi Diterriter & JR2439,

Just thought I would respond to your queries in case you haven't had an answer by now and seeing as last night I felt the same thing for the first time. Basically it sounds as though you have experienced the initial stages of an OBE (out of body experience), which is an extremely common natural thing (apparently 80% of the worlds popluation have experienced this!). Sleep paralysis is a common feeling, as your 'conscious mind' is seperated from your physical body and is often the main reason for feeling scared during nightmares, not being able to control your snapping out of it. Sorry if this worries you - it shouldn't as I think people who have had OBE's are quite privileged! The world and our view of reality is a hell of a lot more complex and incredible than most people know! My advice would be to read up on OBE's and just reember that if it happens again, YOU have ultimate control of your body and if you feel uncomfortable about it, then you can stop it. I've a feeling it's gonna happen for me again so, your not the only one! : )
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JR2439
replied on March 22nd, 2008
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Re: Pressure in ears during sleep
Hi,

Thank you for your response. Mind sharing with us why you think this is so? I looked at several websites on OBEs but didn't find "symptoms" similar to what we described. Any links you might sharing? What was your experience like? Like i said, it happens a lot to me. It happened a lot a couple of years ago and then it stopped, but now I seem to be experiencing the same thing again, so I'm intrigued by the whole thing. Thanks again.
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Kai159
replied on May 1st, 2009
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Hi

I have had similer experiences.

Its a bit different though for me. Ive only had the weird ear pressure thing a few times. But sometimes if i wake up in the middle of the night, and then try to fall asleep again, as i fall asleep i suddenly lose like my grip of reality and im completly paralyzed... but i can move slightly, like my arm slowly and i try so hard to wake up, try and push my eyes open.. i start to panic and get really anxious and then suddenly i can break out of it.

But then i start to drift off again and suddenly ill get it again..

Its really horrible and i really dont like it. I keep worrying that one day it will happen and ill never be able to get out of it
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jen_girl
replied on June 17th, 2009
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Hi,
I would have to definately agree with anamnesis. I've been having OBEs for a some time now, so I'm quite familiar with them, but recently I too have been experiencing increasing pressure and other slightly uncomfortable sensations in my ears during the first stages of an OBE, I wouldn't think much of it exept I seem to have increased fluid(grease build up) in my ears aswell and I've been feeling similar sensations(pressure) more freqently when I'm awake. I don't really know what to make of it, just thought I'd share.
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Nawal
replied on August 12th, 2009
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pressure on the head and ears
Hi all;
Please read my Post it maybe will help you all,
i have had these symptoms 3 years ago after i had my youngest child, mine started with the head and nose pressure, feeling dizzy most the time that goes for nearly 1 year. i have had lots of ear inffection for a several time in that year, then the dizziness got worse, the pressure on my head was awfull it was like a heavy balloon will explode at any time, fullness in my ears, cheeks and tongue, nums and tighting in my gum and teeth, my night and days were really awfull feeling down everyday, doctors told me you are well nothing wrong,now for one year i have been going every week to see my GP, he said its a depression and maybe sinus infection. he started giving me an anti depressant tablate, and sent me to CT sinus Scan, there were no infection or blockage, my ENT doctor eximined my ears he said your ears are fine but i was getting mad how could this be the case while i feel like someone is pulling my ears and nose and the fullness, tightness pressure on my head and ears everyday getting worse?????!!!!!!
the surprise was from my dintest when she noticed that my front two teeth are chipped!! she asked me?!
DO YOU GRIND OR CLENCH YOUR TEETH????
I said, YES i do since i was very young and still do that, well, my sister used to tell me that and huby noticed it (its shamefull) lol but what can i do? i have never know that long time stress and depression could drive us to many trubbles while we think its ok mates.. all the world living in depression.
the dintest gave me a guard night that i have to wear it on my upper teeth so will Stop me grinding.
i was not sure its really the case i took it as a joke, i through it on the drawer and said omg why shall i wear this plastic .... on my teeth while am just 34 years , what would i do then when iam 60?!
the pressure on my head got worse day by day and doctors answers nothing serious. its all about depression, i have looking on the internet for grinding the teeth causes, i was really shocked when i realised that all the symptoms i have read are the same as mine because in the last three months the pressure worsen and my head 2 side start to be painfull, then i start to feel the pain on my cheeks the area on front of my ears, the pain got worse when i open my mouth very wide and the jaw on front my ear feels painful and clicking i really have a nick ache that i never took it seariously, and the pain, tighting on my teeth and gum were from the grinding.
my main problim is the stress leads to grind the teeth then two crowns that affecting my bite these things caused me a problem in my jaw muscles.
now if you have any of these symptoms don't hisetate to visit your dintest and watch your self if you grind your teeth while sleeping or even when you a wake you might grind them specialy if you are nervous or even thinking,
try to relax your jaw as much as you can.
sometimes you wouldn't feel the pain on your teeth, becarefull sometimes the symptoms are very similer to sinus disorder that is why its very hard for doctors to discover if you have JMT disorder if you don't notice that your self.
i wanted to share my expereince with you guys maybe some of you having something semiler as mine, if any of you have any question please feel free to ask.
i am now after relaxing my jaw feeling better, my main concern was my head pressure and my ear pressure fullness, just exmine your self, you can feel it if you watched it, if your problem related to your jaw muscles you would not discover it without watching it, this is my expereince, i am now getting well day by day, i know i need time by relaxing my jaw, having hot water with massage on my jew and muscles, eating soft food. talking carefuly, and sleeping as much as i can.
hope all of you get well very soon...

Nawal
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