You’ve probably heard of tinnitus: a constant ringing, buzzing or whooshing sound in the ear with no physical source. It’s a common condition; it’s estimated that over 50 million Americans suffer from or have suffered from tinnitus. Pulsatile tinnitus is also characterized by sounds in the ear, but it is much rarer, and it isn’t technically tinnitus, because unlike tinnitus, the sound in the ear does have a physical source.
What Is Pulsatile Tinnitus?
Pulsatile tinnitus (sometimes called objective tinnitus) is a noise inside your ear, commonly a swooshing or whooshing sound, that happens constantly and rhythmically, usually in time with your heartbeat. (That’s where the “pulse” in “pulsatile” comes from.) This is the sound of blood pulsing through the network of veins and arteries near your ear. This is why pulsatile tinnitus is not technically tinnitus. The sound you hear is caused by something else: your heartbeat and blood flow. Sounds that originate from within your body are called somatosounds.
Additionally, pulsatile tinnitus is not a condition in and of itself; instead, it’s usually a symptom or indicator of some other medical condition.
What Causes Pulsatile Tinnitus?
There are many conditions that can cause pulsatile tinnitus, but generally, it comes from the vascular system, or your system of blood vessels. The sound is of blood pulsing through the veins near your ears, and this could happen for several reasons, including:
- High blood pressure
- Blood pulsing faster than usual through the veins
- Malformations in vascular structures
Is Pulsatile Tinnitus a Cause for Concern?
It can be. The sound itself can be a nuisance for some, interrupting the ability to concentrate, sleep, work or socialize. Beyond the sound, the source must be interrogated. Finding out what is happening within your vascular system that allows you to hear pulsatile tinnitus is important. Some possibilities include:
- Vascular disease
- Head trauma
- Anemia
- Hyperthyroidism
- A tumor
- Brain aneurysm
Note that these are possibilities; if you have pulsatile tinnitus, it does not necessarily mean you have these conditions.
How Can I Treat Pulsatile Tinnitus?
The best course of action is to treat the cause of pulsatile tinnitus, not the sound itself. The good news is that up to 70% of patients have an identifiable cause of their pulsatile tinnitus, which will direct treatment and management options.
Management strategies for tinnitus can also be effective for pulsatile tinnitus, such as sound enrichment therapy. Call Elevate Audiology for more information or to schedule an appointment.