Are you hearing a whooshing sound in your ear? Does that noise correlate with your heartbeat? If you answered yes to both questions, you might have pulsatile tinnitus. Pulsatile tinnitus is a noise often described as a whooshing, beating, whistling, or rushing sound. It’s similar to the more commonly known tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, but with pulsatile tinnitus, it beats in time with your pulse.
For many people, it can be just an annoyance, but for others, it can make it difficult to sleep, focus, and more. Pulsatile tinnitus isn’t something you should ignore. It can be a symptom of a serious underlying condition. Keep reading to learn more about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of pulsatile tinnitus so you can get on the path to recovery fast.
Symptoms
Noise From Within
One of the key symptoms of pulsatile tinnitus is hearing noise that comes from within your body. Some people call this ringing in their ears. The noise can be different for each person but most people with pulsatile tinnitus report hearing a whooshing or beating sound. This noise comes from the nearby blood vessels.
Sometimes, hearing noise from within your body is normal, such as after exercising, but the noise should never last after you’ve recovered from your workout. If you have pulsatile tinnitus or the much common tinnitus, you should talk to your doctor.