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 in one or two ears that appears to move to a steady drumbeat. Pulsatile tinnitus is related to regular tinnitus in that it involves the perception of sound other individuals don't 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.

There are a variety of common symptoms to look out for. Learn about them now.

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. Some patients only hear the sound in one ear, while others hear it in both. It's common for individuals to hear their heartbeats if their heart is pounding hard. But individuals hearing their heartbeat loudly, even in situations where they haven't exerted themselves, is unusual. Many individuals with pulsatile tinnitus find the sound to be distracting and loud. Some even say it's unbearable.

Read more about the common symptoms of pulsatile tinnitus now.