Understanding pulsatile tinnitus
Key points:
- Pulsatile tinnitus is a rare form of tinnitus where you can hear sounds that sound like a heartbeat
- Pulsatile tinnitus is not dangerous on its own, but it can be a sign of a dangerous medical condition
- Request a call back to speak to a hearing care professional if you suspect you have pulsatile tinnitus
Pulsatile tinnitus is a rare form of tinnitus where you (and sometimes your doctor) can hear sounds that are in sync with your heartbeat. These sounds are normal within the body, but you hear them more intensely.
This type of tinnitus is usually unilateral.
Is pulsatile tinnitus dangerous?
Pulsatile tinnitus itself is not dangerous. However, it can be an early warning sign of a serious medical condition. Anyone experiencing it should consult a healthcare professional.
A hearing care professional can conduct a thorough hearing evaluation and recommend a referral to an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist (ENT) if needed.
Request a call to find a hearing care professional near you.
Causes
Pulsatile tinnitus is commonly caused by Increased blood flow or changes in blood flow around the ear and auditory system.
Pulsatile tinnitus can have many causes that fit into three main groups, depending on the source of the sound:
Arterial:
increased blood flow or narrowed blood vessels in the brain, head, neck, or chest
Venous:
increased pressure in the brain, and variations in the brain’s veins and sinuses
Arteriovenous:
abnormal connections between blood vessels and skull base tumors with many blood vessels
However, in up to 30% of patients1, healthcare providers are unable to identify a cause.
Can pulsatile tinnitus go away?
Because tinnitus is a symptom, treatment for pulsatile tinnitus is linked to treating the underlying condition that is causing it.
If you have pulsatile tinnitus, you may benefit from treatment options that help provide relief from the impact it can have on your wellbeing.
How is pulsatile tinnitus diagnosed?
Pulsatile tinnitus is diagnosed by:
- A physical examination from a healthcare professional and
- Imaging techniques like CT and MRI/MR scans
Your healthcare professional may perform gentle head and neck movements and listen to your heart in a quiet environment to help determine the origin of the sound. You may have your blood pressure taken and your body mass index (BMI) assessed. Your healthcare professional may wish to test for anemia and hyperthyroidism.
Your drug history is also an important consideration for diagnosis. For example, some medications used to treat high blood pressure or heart related conditions may trigger pulsatile tinnitus.
An official diagnosis is often only possible after assessments from clinicians in multiple areas of practice.
If you suspect you have pulsatile tinnitus, you can request a call for a consultation a hearing care professional.
Sources
1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3719451/
2. https://jnis.bmj.com/content/14/11/1151.abstract
Katie earned her Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) Degree, with Distinction and Master’s Degree in Audiology from the University of Western Ontario. Since 2008, she has been helping clients improve their hearing at HearingLife clinics across the Waterloo Region, and has spent over 13 years at the Cambridge location. In addition to her role as Senior Manager, Audiology at HearingLife, Katie has taught Clinical Principles 1 and 2 in Conestoga College’s Hearing Instrument Specialist program since 2019.
Our Ear Health Hub has guidance and useful information on the following: Burst Eardrum, Ear Cleaning, Ear Infection, Earwax Removal, Eustachian Tube Dysfunction, Fluid in the Ear, Glue Ear, Itchy Ears, Labyrinthitis, Meniere's Disease, Otosclerosis, Presbycusis and Pulsatile Tinnitus.
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