Odd Medical Question

I sometimes find my fingers twitching, like I'm fretting, while listening to/thinking of music; I see no reason why what you describe couldn't happen. The mind can do weird and wonderful things.

 

Is it a good rumble or a bad rumble? I like to use my mind to really put myself inside the music that I hear in my head.

 

Nope, that doesn't happen to me. It would probably drive me crazy if it did.

 

Something psychosomatic? Tinnitus? Ear infection? Eustachian tube problem?

See a physician. He might refer you to a ENT (ear nose and throat) doctor also called a otolaryngologist.

 

While I am a graduate of a prestigious community college, I don’t feel qualified to respond.

 

Does it happen if you either clench your jaw, or if you perform the "pressure change" maneuver, like you're trying to equalize the pressure in your ears?

Maybe you're unconsciously doing one of these things when you think about playing.

Both of these actions will SLIGHTLY shift the position of your eardrum.
It's possible you have some wax in the "deep end" of your ear canal. If the eardrum shifts a bit, it could cause the wax (or maybe a bit of water trapped in there by the wax) to actually touch the eardrum, causing a fluttery sensation.

Have a doc or nurse take a look in your ear...

KenB (MD)

 

I think you need an exorcist, not a doctor.

 

As long as you always wear ear plugs you will be fine.

 

Never heard of that, but I do salivate profusely when I see pictures of Alembics and Foderas.

 

HPF

 

So your ears actually do produce sound in response to stimuli.

It’s crazy, but then again so is the body.

You could also be experiencing the auditory version of an optical illusion or mirage.

 

Ditto... usually happens when the hummingbirds visit the red geraniums, on our deck.

 

I realize your're probably joking, but .... in case not, if it's a real sound originating in the inner ear then ear plugs will make it even more audible.

 

Not so bizarre as there is a dynamic pressure relationship among the components of the upper airway and adjacent structures. Case in point: when pressurizing the upper airway via CPAP / sleep apnea therapy, I sometimes run across air leaks via a duct at the corner of the eye. More common: when attempting to equalize pressure (airplanes / elevators / tunnels), people will frequently manipulate the mouth and lower jaw.

Riis

 

Google "valsalva maneuver"