Common Symptoms Of Pulsatile Tinnitus

Pulsatile tinnitus is a rare type of tinnitus. Tinnitus, ringing in the ears, can occur with a wide range of hearing conditions and ear injuries. With pulsatile tinnitus, though, patients will experience a whooshing or thumping sound that appears to move to a steady drumbeat. Pulsatile tinnitus is related to regular tinnitus in that it involves the perception of a sound that other individuals do not hear. However, unlike normal tinnitus, patients are hearing sounds from inside their own body. Doctors can sometimes hear the sounds if they use a stethoscope to listen. Other names for the condition include pulse-synchronous, vascular, or rhythmic tinnitus. Most cases of pulsatile tinnitus are caused by a specific health issue like irregular blood vessels.

Thankfully, there are many options for pulsatile tinnitus treatment. There is no dedicated pulsatile tinnitus medication, though patients have been successful with high blood pressure medication where it applies. Natural remedies for pulsatile tinnitus often include white noise machines and stress management. Wearable sound devices and tinnitus retraining are also quite effective. Of course, patients must first understand the symptoms to achieve the best treatments for pulsatile tinnitus.

Hear Steady Pulse-Like Beat

The most characteristic symptom of pulsatile tinnitus is regularly hearing a steady beat. This beat tends to sync up with an individual's heart rate. When their heart rate increases, the sound will become faster; when it decreases, the sound will gradually slow down. Some patients only hear the sound in one ear, while others hear it in both. It is common for individuals to hear their heartbeats if their heart is pounding hard. However, individuals hearing their heartbeat loudly, even in situations where they have not exerted themselves, is unusual. Many individuals with pulsatile tinnitus find the sound to be distracting and loud. Some even say that it is unbearable.

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