Benign Tinnitus or Eustachian Tube Dysfunction: This is often the most common cause of intermittent whooshing sounds in the ear, related to the movement of the Eustachian tube or changes in middle ear pressure. It can be triggered by swallowing, yawning, or changes in atmospheric pressure.

Middle Ear Effusion: Fluid in the middle ear can cause a sensation of fullness and intermittent sounds, including whooshing, due to the movement of the fluid.
Patulous Eustachian Tube (PET): A condition where the Eustachian tube remains open, allowing sounds from the throat to be heard in the ear, including breathing sounds that might be perceived as whooshing.
Palatal Myoclonus: A rare movement disorder affecting the muscles of the palate, which can cause clicking or whooshing sounds in the ear due to the abnormal movement of these muscles.

Carotid Artery Stenosis or Dissection: Although less common, a whooshing sound in the ear (bruit) can be a sign of turbulent blood flow due to stenosis or dissection of the carotid artery, which is a medical emergency.
Glomus Jugulare Tumor: A rare, benign tumor located in the jugular bulb that can cause pulsatile tinnitus, which might be described as a whooshing sound, due to its proximity to the ear and its effect on blood flow.
Vascular Malformations: Abnormal formations of blood vessels near the ear can cause unusual sounds due to altered blood flow patterns.

Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence: A rare condition where there is an abnormal opening in the bone overlying the superior semicircular canal of the inner ear, leading to a variety of auditory symptoms, including autophony (hearing internal sounds unusually loudly) and pulsatile tinnitus.
Labyrinthine Fistula: An abnormal connection between the inner and middle ear, which can cause a variety of symptoms including hearing loss, vertigo, and unusual sounds due to the abnormal communication between these spaces.