Pulsatile tinnitus is not a disease but rather a sign of certain medical conditions. Its severity depends solely on the condition causing it. If the cause is treatable, pulsatile tinnitus is likely to get cured. For example, if the cause is anemia, the resulting pulsatile tinnitus can be cured with medications or blood transfusion. Additionally, a condition such as a glue ear can be treated with grommets, while ear perforations can be managed with grafts. Other causes, such as hyperthyroidism and elevated intracranial hypertension, can also be treated with medications.
Pulsatile tinnitus that is caused by the abnormal formations in the large blood vessel (carotid artery) of the neck may not be treatable. Surgery is the only treatment in such cases, and the location of the blood vessel makes it more dangerous than the structural problem itself.
For cases of pulsatile tinnitus in whom the cause has not been identified, one or more of the following therapies may be used:
- Sound therapy
- Relaxation therapy
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Counseling
- Mindfulness meditation
- Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT)
What is the most common cause of pulsatile tinnitus?
Pulsatile tinnitus is a rhythmic thumping, pulsing, throbbing or whooshing sound that can be heard only by you in sync with your heartbeat. You may suffer from the condition in one or both of your ears. The sound results from the turbulent blood flow in the arteries situated near your ear (such as the carotid artery).
The most common causes of pulsatile tinnitus include:
- Conductive hearing loss. This may make the sounds of breathing, chewing and blood flowing through the ear more audible and result in pulsatile tinnitus. You may also be able to hear the blood flowing through two large vessels that travel through each ear.
- Conductive hearing loss can itself be caused by any of the following:
- An infection or inflammation of the middle ear
- The accumulation of fluid in the middle ear
- Problems with the ossicles (small bones involved in hearing)
- Conductive hearing loss can itself be caused by any of the following:
- Carotid artery disease. The accumulation of plaques inside the carotid artery can increase the blood flow in the artery giving rise to pulsatile tinnitus.
- Hypertension (high blood pressure). Having hypertension may also mean that the pressure in the carotid artery has increased enough to cause pulsatile tinnitus.
- Blood vessel disorders. Structural defects or malformations in the blood vessel may also result in pulsatile tinnitus, which can include:
- Aneurysm (a weakened, bulging patch)
- Arteriovenous malformation (an abnormal connection between an artery and vein)
- Twisted arteries
- Tumor in the blood vessel
How is pulsatile tinnitus diagnosed?
Your doctor will take your complete medical history. Next, they will examine the blood vessels in your head and neck. They will also conduct hearing tests and a few blood tests.
If physical examination and blood tests fail to identify the cause, your doctor will order imaging tests. These tests will help confirm the condition that is causing the tinnitus, and may include:
- Ultrasound of the neck
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain
- Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)
- Magnetic resonance venography (MRV)
- Computed tomographic angiography (CTA)
- Computed tomographic venography (CTV)
- Computed tomography (CT) scan of the brain
- Conventional angiography
QUESTION
Ear infection or acute otitis media is an infection of the middle ear. See AnswerHealth Solutions From Our Sponsors
British Tinnitus Association. Pulsatile Tinnitus. https://www.tinnitus.org.uk/pulsatile-tinnitus
Harvard Health Publishing. Ask the Doctor: Is It Worrisome to Hear a Pulse in My Ear? https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/is-it-worrisome-to-hear-a-pulse-in-my-ear
Top How Serious Is Pulsatile Tinnitus Related Articles
Does Tinnitus Ever Go Away?
Tinnitus is when you hear ringing or other noises — like roaring or humming — in one or both ears. Many times tinnitus lasts for a few seconds to minutes, but other times it may be permanent.
Middle Ear Infection (Otitis Media)
A middle ear infection (otitis media) can cause earache, temporary hearing loss, and pus drainage from the ear. It is most common in babies, toddlers, and young children. Learn about causes and treatment.How Can I Stop Tinnitus Immediately?
Tinnitus — sometimes called ringing in the ears — is when you perceive sound even though there's no actual external source making that sound. You can stop tinnitus by treating the underlying cause, but there is no quick guaranteed method of curing tinnitus.How Do I Make My Ears Stop Ringing?
Tinnitus is when you hear unexplained sounds in your ears even though there's no actual noise externally. You make your ears stop ringing by addressing the underlying cause.
Who Is Most Affected by Tinnitus?
Learn what medical treatments can help ease your tinnitus symptoms and help you manage this condition. What is tinnitus and what are the main causes of tinnitus? Learn more about this tinnitus and what you can do about tinnitus.
Tinnitus
Tinnitus is described as a throbbing, ringing, clicking, or buzzing in one or both ears. Tinnitus is caused by trauma to the ear, over exposure to loud noises, medication, and diseases or infections of the ear such as multiple sclerosis, TMJ, autistic neruoma, Meniere's disease, hearing loss, and aging. Treatments include medication, tinnitus masking, retraining therapy, and relief therapy.
Tinnitus Quiz
Is tinnitus just a nuisance or a symptom of a serious medical condition? Take the Tinnitus Quiz to find out!
How Do You Get Rid of Ringing in the Ears (Tinnitus)?
Tinnitus is not a condition in itself, but a symptom of some other condition that causes a high-pitched whine, a ringing, buzzing or clicking in the ears. It can come from any number of problems starting with the eardrum and cochlea – the organs that turn sound waves into electrical signals for the brain to interpret as sound.
What Is the Most Effective Treatment For Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the perception of abnormal sounds in the ears. Tinnitus may sound like ringing, bussing, roaring, clicking, hissing, or humming in one or both ears. Tinnitus is not a disease itself. Tinnitus is usually a manifestation of an underlying condition, such as age-related hearing loss, ear injury, or circulatory system disorder. However, in many cases, there is no identifiable cause.
What Vitamin Deficiency Causes Ringing in the Ears?
Ringing in the ears has been linked to vitamin B12 and vitamin D deficiencies. Treating an underlying cause of tinnitus such as a vitamin deficiency may help relieve symptoms.
Why Does Tinnitus Get Louder sometimes?
Reasons why tinnitus or ringing in the ears may get louder sometimes are still unknown. However, researchers say that the worsening of tinnitus sometimes may be attributed to various triggers.