Pulsatile tinnitus is the medical name used to describe the rhythmic beating or swishing sound of the heart being heard in the ear. It usually is only heard in one ear, but on rare occasions, it may be heard in both. Pulsatile tinnitus is sometimes called vascular tinnitus. This is because many of the cases of this condition are caused by disturbances with the blood flow in the neck or head. This can occur from narrowing of the blood vessels or increases in blood flow causing the sounds to be heard in the ear. This occurrence is different from continuous ringing in the ears, also known as tinnitus that is caused from damage to the inner or middle ear. Some individuals do experience both types of tinnitus at the same time, with most finding the pulsatile type to be the more bothersome.

Pulsatile tinnitus is not a condition in itself, but is a sign of another medical problem. It can be caused by a number of reasons, some being rather serious. One such condition that can cause pulsatile tinnitus is Atherosclerotic Carotid Artery Disease. This disease is caused by the build-up of plaque on the artery wall reducing the flow of blood through the artery. This condition is usually seen in elderly individuals who have a history of high blood pressure, angina, diabetes or elevated cholesterol. With proper medication, the symptoms of pulsatile tinnitus usually subside.

Some cases reveal an AV malformation that is caused by abnormal communication between the blood vessels. This can cause the vessel to rupture and could lead to stroke. If a tumor grows inside the ear canal or within the skull, this can also cause pulsatile tinnitus. Usually these types of tumors are benign. It also can be caused by hypertension, but this is rare and is usually associated with the medication that is being used to treat the hypertension.

Although there are serious medical conditions associated with pulsatile tinnitus, some conditions that are responsible for this occurrence are less serious. These include certain ear disorders that can cause a person to hear their own heartbeat in their ear such as infections of the middle ear or allergies. In addition, if the Eustachian tubes stay open, known as patulous Eustachian tubes, this can cause the heart sounds to become amplified. This condition can affect individuals who have lost a large amount of weight over a short amount of time. Individuals with this condition can hear their heartbeat, but also when they speak, they hear their own voice as muffled. Sometimes this condition goes away as quickly as it comes, but it is recommended to seek medical attention if this condition is noticed. Many times a simple ear exam will reveal fluid in the ear or an ear infection that can be easily treated. Other times this condition is caused by a sinus infection. Individuals taking antibiotics may also experience hearing their own heartbeat in their ear. Antibiotics can cause the mucous membranes within the ear to thicken, which can result in pulsatile tinnitus due to improper drainage of the mucus. Hyperthyroidism is another cause of hearing one’s own heartbeat, particularity when the heart begins to beat at a faster rate. Other less serious causes include side effects from prescription medications, anemia and stress.

Pulsatile Tinnitus is a form of ringing in the ears

About a year ago, my husband began complaining. He said that when he laid down at night he could hear a faint thudding of his heartbeat in the ears. At first, the noise was nothing more than an annoyance, but it soon grew to be a problem. As the weeks and months passed, the dull thudding became a louder humming, an almost constant sound. Even worse, while this aggravating symptom first occurred only when he laid down, eventually the noise began to accompany him during the day as well. He once told me that the noise was like a discordant symphony ringing in his ears.

He and I both believed that it was nothing—just one of those things you learn to live with. Still, as time went on and the noise became more and more intrusive, I knew we had to do something. The first step, of course, was a visit to his doctor. One brief history and a perfunctory exam later we were told that the condition was….ringing in the ears. I felt like saying “we know that, but what is wrong with him.” The Doctor went on to explain that there was not much we could do. Hearing the heartbeat in the ears, also called Pulsatile Tinnitus, isn’t even a disease in and of itself – it is a symptom. The doctor decided my husband’s symptoms were most likely caused by allergies or sinus problems and prescribe an antihistamine. The problem was, while the drug made my husband very sleepy, it really did little to alleviate the problem, especially since he could only take the medication at night.

Natural Tinnitus Cures

We went back to the doctor. In fact we ended up going back five times. Each time we were told about another possible underlying cause and prescribe another drug. None of these methods worked well and many didn’t seem to make a difference at all. My husband had just about given up hope that he would ever have clear hearing again when we decided to get proactive and research the subject ourselves. Turns out that in theory the doctor was right – we had to find out what the underlying cause of the Tinnitus is and treat that. He may have been wrong about the many different medications he prescribed. Some of the possible underlying causes like whiplash, allergies and blocked Eustachian tubes just didn’t fit with my husband’s history. One underlying cause did: Stress. It turns out that stress is one of the leading causes of Tinnitus.

We also discovered that there are natural remedies that have been used to treat Pulsatile Tinnitus with a high degree of success. In my husband’s case, it was simply a matter of changing his eating and sleeping habits and finding a way to unwind. Once he learned to let go of the stresses of everyday life, he relaxed and gradually, the ringing went away. When my husband is overstressed at work, overtired or simply not taking care of himself the symptoms tend to reappear.

Tinnitus isn’t something you have to learn to live with,  it is something you have to learn to fight against. Visit with your doctor, of course, but be sure to discuss alternative or holistic method instead of strictly medical methods. You may just find the solution is something as easy as learning to relax, or to manage your allergies.

Hearing the Heartbeat in the Ear: What It Means

The official medical term for the rhythmic swishing of the heart beating in the ear is pulsatile tinnitus. Like garden variety tinnitus, or ringing in the ears of the continuous type, the causes of pulsatile tinnitus are varied. Unlike continuous tinnitus that’s usually not due to a serious medical condition, pulsatile tinnitus can more often be a sign of a health problem and needs evaluation.

What Are Some Causes of Pulsatile Tinnitus?

Pulsatile tinnitus can sometimes be due to problems with blood flow through one of the arteries or blood vessels that lie near the ear. In some cases, it can be a symptom of an AV malformation which is an abnormal communication between blood vessels. This is a serious condition since the vessel can rupture leading to a stroke. Tumors, usually benign, located somewhere in the ear canal or in the skull can also cause pulsatile tinnitus. In some cases, hearing the heartbeat in the ear can be the first sign of atherosclerotic disease – a condition caused by plaque formation in the carotid arteries. This, too, can lead to stroke. In rare cases, pulsatile hypertension can be caused by hypertension. There a variety of other potentially serious causes of pulsatile tinnitus that are less common, but these examples illustrate the potentially serious nature of this symptom.

Is Pulsatile Tinnitus Always Serious?

Not always. When fluid builds up in the middle ear for any reason such as infection or allergy, it can cause pulsatile tinnitus. Another condition called patulous eustachian tubes can amplify the sound of the heart beating in the ear. This condition occurs when the eustachian tubes, the tubes connecting the throat and the ears, which are normally closed remain open. A person with this condition not only hears their own heartbeat, but when they talk they may perceive the sounds to be muffled. This condition is often seen in people who lose a great deal of weight over a short period of time.

Heartbeat in the Ear: What to Do About It

Anyone who hears the sound of their own heartbeat in their ear needs evaluation by a doctor. In many cases, an MRI will be necessary to look for tumors or AV malformations. An ear exam can be done to look for fluid in the middle ear. In some cases, no cause for pulsatile tinnitus will be found and the symptom will disappear as quickly as it came.