Hearing the heartbeat in the eardrum or a pulsating, pounding, throbbing, whooshing, or whistling sound in the ear... the list of sounds heard by people with pulsatile tinnitus is extensive. Tinnitus can be divided into two categories: subjective (audible only by the affected person) and objective (which can also be heard by a doctor).
Have you ever felt like your head and heart are pulsing in time? Pulsatile tinnitus is a specific type of tinnitus characterised by hearing rhythmic sounds in the ear that coincide with the heartbeat. According to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), this condition can be either subjective (heard only by the patient) or objective (also audible to an examiner) and often suggests a vascular origin. This means the noise you hear is actually produced by a physical sound source: the passage of blood through the blood vessels.
The intensity and frequency of the pulsations can vary from person to person and may be more noticeable in quiet environments or when lying down. Pulsatile tinnitus can affect one or both ears.
Pulsatile tinnitus is distinct from regular tinnitus in both the sound perceived and its causes. Regular tinnitus presents as constant ringing or buzzing, while pulsatile tinnitus involves rhythmic pulsations or whooshing noises synchronised with the heartbeat.
This type of tinnitus is often linked to vascular issues like atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, or arteriovenous malformations near the ear. Diagnosis involves specific imaging studies to assess vascular health. Treatment targets the underlying vascular or muscular issues, which may include managing hypertension or surgical interventions. Recognising these differences is key for accurate diagnosis and effective management tailored to the specific type of tinnitus.
Whilst today pulsatile tinnitus (literally pulse-related) is understood not to be a disease in itself, it is however a symptomatic disorder and its causes therefore require medical diagnosis. Although impossible to generalize, circulatory problems of vascular or venous origin, likewise high blood pressure or the presence of cholesterol plaques, are some of the most common causes of pulsatile tinnitus. Similarly, noise pollution (in particular listening to music with earphones), earwax arising from prolonged antibiotic or diuretic therapies and head and neck injuries may also favour its onset.
Anxiety, stress and psychological shock can also give rise to phenomena of hearing the pulse or heartbeat in the ear. Indeed, anxiety can lead to a reduction of the oxygen supply in the inner ear and create pulsing, buzzing and whooshing sounds. The resulting (parasitic) sound is then detected as an alarm signal by the brain. The close relationship between pulsatile tinnitus and anxiety is a vicious circle which, although not necessarily an immediate health risk in itself, when intense and continuous, can cause insomnia, irritability and concentration disorders.
Identifying pulsatile tinnitus involves recognising specific symptoms:
If you experience these symptoms, it's important to consult an ear specialist for evaluation. They can conduct tests to determine the underlying cause and recommend appropriate treatment.
Tinnitus, or ringing in your ear, is a common problem affecting about 15-20% of people. It is more commonly experienced by older adults and can be a source of discomfort.
Diagnosing pulsatile tinnitus involves a series of steps:
These steps help determine the underlying cause of pulsatile tinnitus, allowing for appropriate treatment recommendations.
Pulsatile tinnitus, a condition where individuals hear rhythmic sounds in sync with their heartbeat, can significantly impact one's quality of life. In Australia, Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) is a highly effective approach for managing this condition. TRT combines directive counselling with individualized sound therapy to help patients habituate to the sounds of pulsatile tinnitus. By addressing both the auditory and psychological aspects of the condition, TRT aims to reduce the distress and improve the overall well-being of those affected. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) emphasizes the importance of a thorough assessment to identify the underlying causes, which may include vascular anomalies, high blood pressure, or atherosclerosis. With the support of experienced audiologists and tailored treatment plans, individuals in Australia can find relief from the persistent and often disruptive symptoms of pulsatile tinnitus.
If your tinnitus is pulsating (you can hear your heartbeat in your ear) or you experience hearing loss, vertigo or dizziness, it is usually recommended you seek medical advice. You can also have a free consultation with a tinnitus specialist at Amplifon to evaluate whether you should see a doctor.
Anxiety issues, stress and psychological shock aside, the causes of pulsatile tinnitus are usually easily treatable. By treating hypertension, atherosclerosis, benign intracranial hypertension or hyperthyroidism, a significant decrease or, indeed, complete elimination of pulsing in the ear will be noted.
Sometimes, however, surgery will be required to effectively stop pulsing in the ear. This may be a de-clogging procedure to blood flow to re-circulate or, in the case of an abnormal blood vessel, an embolization to block it off. As with all conditions potentially requiring surgery, it is strongly advised you consult an ENT specialist to correctly identify the origin of your symptoms and the best approach to treat them.
During your consultation, the ENT specialist will indicate the most appropriate course of treatment to stop the pulsing in your ear, thereby improving both your hearing and quality of life. Sound enrichment therapy, which sees the use of specific acoustic devices to produce different masking and relaxation signals through melodies and sounds chosen by the user, may also prove an effective pulsatile tinnitus treatment.
Lastly, adopting a healthy lifestyle with a diet rich in fruit and vegetables and introducing foods containing high amounts of vitamins A, B, E, zinc and magnesium, coupled with a moderate consumption of coffee, tea and alcohol, are all excellent ways to improve overall health and reduce or stop pulsing in the ear with home remedies.
Don’t hesitate to contact your nearest Amplifon centre where our experts will be happy to provide you with free advice.
Living with pulsatile tinnitus can be challenging, but there are coping strategies and resources available to help manage the condition effectively.
Coping strategies:
It's essential to experiment with various coping strategies and seek professional guidance to find what works best for managing pulsatile tinnitus. If you're struggling to cope with pulsatile tinnitus, don't hesitate to reach out to healthcare providers or support networks for assistance and guidance tailored to your needs.
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