Pulsatile Tinnitus: 7 Different Anatomic Causes of Hearing Pulsations in the Ear

Pulsatile Tinnitus is the sensation of hearing a rhythmic noise, such as a heartbeat, swooshing or whooshing from an internal source. It may be heard in one or both ears on an intermittent or continuous basis. For most, it is a mild irritation, but when it becomes continuous and loud, it may become debilitating.

Pulsatile tinnitus can have many different origins, some fairly benign, but others can be potentially life-threatening. Medical conditions that may cause pulsatile tinnitus include any condition that causes the heart to pump harder. Such medical conditions include high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism, and anemia. Ear conditions that may contribute to pulsatile tinnitus include any type of ear blockage whether earwax, fluid, or even a tumor. Such ear conditions block external sounds from entering the ear thereby amplifying internal body sounds like the beat of blood flow.

Beyond these medical issues, there are 7 main anatomic causes of pulsatile tinnitus which include dural arteriovenous fistula, carotid stenosis, intracranial hypertension, brain aneurysm, venous sinus stenosis, sigmoid diverticulum, and a high-riding jugular vein. Unfortunately, in about 30% of patients, no medical or anatomic cause can be identified.

• Medical Causes (0:27)
• Carotid Stenosis (1:02)
• Dural Arteriovenous Fistula (1:23)
• Intracranial Hypertension (1:40)
• Intracranial Vein Stenosis (1:59)
• Sigmoid Sinus Diverticulum (2:08)
• High-Riding Jugular Bulb (2:35)
• Brain Aneurysm (2:41)

For more info on pulsatile tinnitus:

#tinnitus #pulsatiletinnitus #hearingheartbeat

[nixzulachen]

I wish I had seen this years ago. Went through so many treatments and have seen so many doctors but no one knew what’s wrong. I felt so alone. Fortunately I have found a doctor who can help me now. It‘s not gone yet, but it will and I am still full of hope.

[moggyslifehacks]

Everyone here should get their B12, vitamin D, magnesium, folate, calcium and iron checked. Also get TSH, T4 AND T3 checked and lastly get checked for gluten intolerance/coeliac.

[chrisweber]

After 17 months dealing with double vision, squiggly veins covering the whites of my eyes and a pulsing in my head keeping time with my heart beat 24/7 I finally got a diagnosis and surgery. I had 3 CT scans, 2 MRIs, hearing tests, 3 ENT doctors, I was referred to a neuro ophthalmologist who said the only procedure left was an angiogram. I had it done and they found a cranial cavernous fistula. I had one failed surgery and was sent to San Francisco to a neurologist who does this kind of surgery and has the tools and experience to get through a narrowing in the vein that the radiologist couldn't get through in the first surgery. So if you have pulsatile tinnitus, I would find a good radiologist and have the angiogram done. They don't always find the issue, but pulsatile tinnitus is the one tinnitus that can have an issue you find.

[osmansoubra]

Thats tooo hard to handle .. i cnt sleep from 3 years ....all what i want is silence and sleeeep ... jist sleeep 😭

[stevemore]

I hear it only when i lay on my back, but not always.

[huseyin.kaan]

I have been suffering from this disease for 15 years. In 2020, I had a brain angiography due to the complaint of ear ringing. But it didn't go away. The humming sound decreases in winter and gets louder in summer.

[kgrfirdjy]

i used to have that as a kid and it drove me crazy, especially when i was in super quiet areas. sometimes, i wonder what caused it and suspect asthma meds i took (albuterol, theophylline, terbutaline) may have been culprits.

[fanofvetted]

thumbs up if you thought that sound effect was your own Tinnitus acting up

[Tef]

After a mild ear infektion/ cold and antibiotica in 2018 my pulsatile tinitus started and is still on.😢

[nvvlle]

I keep hearing swooshing and ringing in my ears on and off. Im scared I might have this

[monakhan]

It started one n half year back after i had a c section for my first baby, buzzing in my right ear, changes with posture, sometimes so terrible, i dun know when this would vanish, i want my life back 😢

[soniabaidya]

I hear heartbeat sounds sometimes while i just lie down or in a particular posture....is it dangerous for my health? Pls reply.

[Sauron]

I’m getting a bit worried as I get irregular whooshing sounds in my head that is coupled with a pulsing sensation with each whoosh if that makes sense?? There isn’t any rhythmic flow to it as such like say following a heart beat pattern. A slight dizziness comes with every whoosh & pulse but only lasts as long as the 2 … It is a very weird feeling sensation … I think I feel it in the top & front halves of my head … It comes and goes and isn’t always there. Woken up this morning and it’s pulsing away like mad right now, not painful but it’s and extremely weird sensation. Could it be this??

[Pyrrhic]

Got this after ears got blocked after washing them so I doubt it's heart related.

[Noraora]

I started having this and now my legs feel super weak and can shake when I put pressure on them

[ILEEGAL]

What I hear is like a heart beat but it skips it’s kinda like: bump bump bump…………………..bump bump and then it just stops but it’s not loud at all it just feels kinda ticklish when it happens so it doesn’t really bother me

[emilylouiseparker]

I have the swooshing and pulsating sounds in my ear (and i can feel it). I also get pain when there is any kind of pressure in my head e.g. when you laugh sometimes there is pressure in your head. this has been happening for months now and i’m not someone who typically gets headaches..

[MontanaKat]

I'm seeing a ent doctor this week. I notices a pusling sound in my ear. My doctor just wants to make sure it's nothing serious.

[vexper]

I have this if i use noise cancelling earphone, bow my head and focus on the sound.. i love the crickets in my head.. i wish i could play any music i want though

[ahmadbidmeshki]

Please is here any body that can help me out with this