Health and Me

Tanya Dutt

That Thumping Pulsing In Your Ear Isn’t Just Annoying – Here’s What It Means

You also have certainly experienced what ear disturbances feel like when you leave a really loud concert: temporary and seemingly meaningless. But what if the noise isn't a maddening ringing, and more like steady thumping in synchronization with your heartbeat? This condition is called <span>Pulsatile Tinnitus</span> and is characterized by a rhythmic whooshing, thudding, or pulsing in one or both ears. Though at times frustrating, and even sometimes worrisome, it most often has a known cause, and is in fact, an early indicator of a significant disease process.

Depending on the presence of a vascular abnormality - such as an aneurysm or arteriovenous malformation-surgery or endovascular treatments may be necessary.

Pulsatile <span>tinnitus</span> can be temporary and harmless, but in some cases, it may be a warning sign of a serious condition. If the rhythmic pulsing in your ear persists, seek medical evaluation to rule out any underlying health issues. Identifying the root cause is the first step toward finding relief and protecting your long-term health.

Pulsatile tinnitus is a rare form of tinnitus that occurs due to blood flow irregularities in the vessels near the ears. Unlike traditional tinnitus, which is often described as a constant ringing, buzzing, or hissing, pulsatile tinnitus is rhythmic and synchronized with your heartbeat.

Most people experience it in just one ear, but it can occur in both. While it's usually harmless, persistent pulsatile tinnitus should not be ignored as it may signal an underlying cardiovascular or neurological issue that requires medical attention.

<h2>Why Do You Hear Your Heartbeat in Your Ear?</h2>

Hearing your heartbeat in your ear can be unsettling. While occasional pulsatile tinnitus is generally harmless, frequent or persistent cases warrant a closer look. The sound results from turbulent blood flow in the vessels around the ear, which can be caused by various conditions, including high blood pressure, anemia, or even pregnancy. Some individuals may experience it only when lying down or in specific positions.

<h2>Common Symptoms of Pulsatile Tinnitus</h2>

While symptoms differ from individual to individual, the most common symptom of pulsatile tinnitus is the presence of a rhythmic sound in one or both ears that occurs in synchronization with the heartbeat. These sounds can be described as follows:

<ul><li>Whooshing</li><li>Grinding</li><li>Hissing</li><li>Thudding</li><li>Whistling</li></ul>

The intensity of the sound may vary with physical activity, stress, or change in body position.

<h2>What Triggers Pulsatile Tinnitus?</h2>

Vigorous exercise increases blood flow and cardiac output, causing temporary pulsatile tinnitus. The extra blood circulating through your arteries near the ears can create a pounding sensation, which usually subsides after you cool down.

When you have low red blood cell levels, your heart must pump harder to supply oxygen to your body, creating turbulent blood flow near the ear. This increased circulation can lead to pulsatile tinnitus.

Thyroid conditions, particularly hyperthyroidism, can alter blood composition and pressure, leading to fluctuations in venous return to the heart and causing pulsatile tinnitus.

<h4>4. Fluid in the Ear or an Ear Infection</h4>

When fluid builds up in the middle ear, either due to an infection or other causes, blood vessels around the ear may pulsate the trapped fluid. This can result in hearing a heartbeat-like thumping sound.

High blood pressure (hypertension) forces blood to flow more aggressively through your arteries, increasing turbulence and leading to pulsatile tinnitus. If your systolic pressure is 120 or higher and/or your diastolic is above 80, your risk increases.

A buildup of plaque in the arteries (atherosclerosis) can narrow blood vessels, reducing blood flow and causing pulsations that may be heard in the ear. This is more common in older adults.

Pregnant individuals experience increased blood volume and pressure, which can affect major blood vessels near the inner ear, causing pulsatile tinnitus. Fluid retention during pregnancy may also amplify pulsations.

While vascular issues are common causes, other conditions can also trigger pulsatile tinnitus, including:

<ul><li>Head trauma</li><li>Paget’s disease (a chronic bone disorder)</li><li>Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)</li></ul>

While occasional pulsatile tinnitus isn’t necessarily a cause for alarm, persistent or worsening symptoms should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. It may indicate a serious vascular, neurological, or cardiovascular issue that requires treatment.

Signs You Need Immediate Medical Attention:

<ul><li>Prolonged tinnitus that lasts for more than a few weeks</li><li>Sudden increase in loudness or pitch</li><li>Associated symptoms such as headache, dizziness, or blurred vision</li><li>Pulsatile tinnitus after head trauma</li></ul>

<h2>How Is Pulsatile Tinnitus Diagnosed?</h2>

A medical professional—preferably a neurotologist or otolaryngologist (ENT specialist)—can assess pulsatile tinnitus through:

<ul><li>A physical exam to check for vascular abnormalities</li><li>Hearing tests (audiometry) to evaluate sound perception</li><li>Imaging scans (MRI, CT, or ultrasound) to detect blockages, tumors, or aneurysms</li><li>Blood tests to detect anemia, thyroid disease, or cholesterol level</li></ul>

Treatment depends on the underlying cause. Some of the common methods include:

<ul><li>Treatment of Hypertension</li><li>Lifestyle modifications like reducing salt intake, managing stress, and exercising regularly can be helpful if hypertension is the causative agent. </li><li>Medications are also given in some cases.</li></ul>

Treatment of Anemia or Thyroid Conditions

<ul><li>Iron supplements are prescribed for anemia, while thyroid conditions require medication or hormone therapy.</li><li>Treating Ear Infections or Fluid Buildup</li><li>Doctors may prescribe antibiotics, antihistamines, or decongestants to clear fluid accumulation.</li><li>Surgical or Interventional Procedures</li></ul>

Health Conditions A-Z

health

tinnitus

pulsatile tinnitus

ringing in ears

ear thumping

hearing heartbeat in ear

causes of tinnitus

tinnitus treatment

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You also have certainly experienced what ear disturbances feel like when you leave a really loud concert: temporary and seemingly meaningless. But what if the noise isn't a maddening ringing, and more like steady thumping in synchronization with your heartbeat? This condition is called Pulsatile Tinnitus and is characterized by a rhythmic whooshing, thudding, or pulsing in one or both ears. Though at times frustrating, and even sometimes worrisome, it most often has a known cause, and is in fact, an early indicator of a significant disease process.Depending on the presence of a vascular abnormality - such as an aneurysm or arteriovenous malformation-surgery or endovascular treatments may be necessary.Pulsatile tinnitus can be temporary and harmless, but in some cases, it may be a warning sign of a serious condition. If the rhythmic pulsing in your ear persists, seek medical evaluation to rule out any underlying health issues. Identifying the root cause is the first step toward finding relief and protecting your long-term health.What Is Pulsatile Tinnitus?Pulsatile tinnitus is a rare form of tinnitus that occurs due to blood flow irregularities in the vessels near the ears. Unlike traditional tinnitus, which is often described as a constant ringing, buzzing, or hissing, pulsatile tinnitus is rhythmic and synchronized with your heartbeat.Most people experience it in just one ear, but it can occur in both. While it's usually harmless, persistent pulsatile tinnitus should not be ignored as it may signal an underlying cardiovascular or neurological issue that requires medical attention.Why Do You Hear Your Heartbeat in Your Ear?Hearing your heartbeat in your ear can be unsettling. While occasional pulsatile tinnitus is generally harmless, frequent or persistent cases warrant a closer look. The sound results from turbulent blood flow in the vessels around the ear, which can be caused by various conditions, including high blood pressure, anemia, or even pregnancy. Some individuals may experience it only when lying down or in specific positions.Common Symptoms of Pulsatile TinnitusWhile symptoms differ from individual to individual, the most common symptom of pulsatile tinnitus is the presence of a rhythmic sound in one or both ears that occurs in synchronization with the heartbeat. These sounds can be described as follows:WhooshingGrindingHissingThuddingWhistlingThe intensity of the sound may vary with physical activity, stress, or change in body position.What Triggers Pulsatile Tinnitus?1. An Intense WorkoutVigorous exercise increases blood flow and cardiac output, causing temporary pulsatile tinnitus. The extra blood circulating through your arteries near the ears can create a pounding sensation, which usually subsides after you cool down.2. AnemiaWhen you have low red blood cell levels, your heart must pump harder to supply oxygen to your body, creating turbulent blood flow near the ear. This increased circulation can lead to pulsatile tinnitus.3. Thyroid DisordersThyroid conditions, particularly hyperthyroidism, can alter blood composition and pressure, leading to fluctuations in venous return to the heart and causing pulsatile tinnitus.4. Fluid in the Ear or an Ear InfectionWhen fluid builds up in the middle ear, either due to an infection or other causes, blood vessels around the ear may pulsate the trapped fluid. This can result in hearing a heartbeat-like thumping sound.5. High Blood PressureHigh blood pressure (hypertension) forces blood to flow more aggressively through your arteries, increasing turbulence and leading to pulsatile tinnitus. If your systolic pressure is 120 or higher and/or your diastolic is above 80, your risk increases.6. AtherosclerosisA buildup of plaque in the arteries (atherosclerosis) can narrow blood vessels, reducing blood flow and causing pulsations that may be heard in the ear. This is more common in older adults.7. PregnancyPregnant individuals experience increased blood volume and pressure, which can affect major blood vessels near the inner ear, causing pulsatile tinnitus. Fluid retention during pregnancy may also amplify pulsations.8. Other Underlying ConditionsWhile vascular issues are common causes, other conditions can also trigger pulsatile tinnitus, including:Head traumaPaget’s disease (a chronic bone disorder)Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)When Should You See a Doctor?While occasional pulsatile tinnitus isn’t necessarily a cause for alarm, persistent or worsening symptoms should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. It may indicate a serious vascular, neurological, or cardiovascular issue that requires treatment.Signs You Need Immediate Medical Attention:Prolonged tinnitus that lasts for more than a few weeksSudden increase in loudness or pitchAssociated symptoms such as headache, dizziness, or blurred visionPulsatile tinnitus after head traumaHow Is Pulsatile Tinnitus Diagnosed?A medical professional—preferably a neurotologist or otolaryngologist (ENT specialist)—can assess pulsatile tinnitus through:A physical exam to check for vascular abnormalitiesHearing tests (audiometry) to evaluate sound perceptionImaging scans (MRI, CT, or ultrasound) to detect blockages, tumors, or aneurysmsBlood tests to detect anemia, thyroid disease, or cholesterol levelTreatment of Pulsatile TinnitusTreatment depends on the underlying cause. Some of the common methods include:Treatment of HypertensionLifestyle modifications like reducing salt intake, managing stress, and exercising regularly can be helpful if hypertension is the causative agent. Medications are also given in some cases.Treatment of Anemia or Thyroid ConditionsIron supplements are prescribed for anemia, while thyroid conditions require medication or hormone therapy.Treating Ear Infections or Fluid BuildupDoctors may prescribe antibiotics, antihistamines, or decongestants to clear fluid accumulation.Surgical or Interventional Procedures