ears...

Hi, I noticed that when I do intense cardio, my ears start to hurt really badly.  Like today for example, I did a 2 mile run, and by the end my ears were killing me.  And not like the outside part, but like inside my head.  It was really weird and it's not the first time.  Anyone have any ideas what this is all about?

Is it cold out where you are? I have a coworker whose ears are really sensitive - he wears ear muffs from the 1980's even when it is 40 or 50 degrees out, and we've also seen him wear cotton balls in his ear. We've tried to ask him what it's all about, but he never really answers, just says something about his ears hurting.

No it's not cold.  I'm in North Carolina, and I was running on an indoor track... that's why I'm so confused haha it has me a little worried.

Is it like a throbbing sensation?  Could be your getting heart rate too high and its causing a rush of blood to the head.

I would make sure you are checking your heart rate regularly...  When I get close to going over my target range sometimes I will get an intense pounding in my ears... it is an awful feeling... once I bring my heart rate down it lessens... Also people with high blood pressure sometimes experience pounding or pain in their ears due to elevated blood pressure... another maybe.. you didn't mention if you were earbuds while running... I used to wear ear buds and had to switch to regular head phones because I would sweat so much in my ear canals with the earbuds that it actually caused rubbing, sores, and pain! ouch!

It's strange that you mention blood pressure, because I actually tend to have really low blood pressure, and I black out a lot when i stand up too fast because of it.  But yeah I guess i could describe it as pounding, or even just like pressure inside my ears.  I do use the regular ipod head phones, but even when i take them out i get the pain.  it goes away after a few minutes, so maybe it is my heartrate.  thanks for the help everyone!

mjustine- i get this occasionally too-- i live in hampton roads, va-- so it's not the cold for me either--

i don't know what it is-- i've tried everything too-- i think sometimes it's because of how I tense my jaw/neck when i am breathing and trying to keep at a steady pace so i won't exhaust- i tend to want to just hit it hard & fast & have really upped my endurance by pacing & counting & breathing a certain OCD way--

i get the pounding tho when i push it on my last coupla miles to lower my times-- and it can ache for a while after-- all the way into my teeth!

wish i had a better answer but you're not alone

i get the same thing but i do live in the cold. however, it does happen at the gym sometimes. have you considered allergies? sounds crazy but i get crazy sore throats and ear aches from it.

It may be blood pressure...when i am over my heart rate i feel the pulsing sensation in my ears that has the same rythm as my pulse...on top of that i hear a ringing sensation also. if you think about it your ears are right next to the main arteries in your neck so an intense blood pressure can probably be amplified by the ears. Best thing to do is monitor when it happens, and check your heart rate to see if there is any connection. Might want to talk to a Dr. if it gets to a point you begin to feel uncomfortable.