Pulsatile Tinnitus - Quick Overview

Pulsatile tinnitus is a form of tinnitus mainly characterized by whooshing or pulsating sound in the ears. The sound seems to go in tune with the person's heart beat or pulse. Because one of the major causes of this condition is poor blood flow or disruption in the blood circulation, it is also called the vascular tinnitus. This type of tinnitus may not be as prevalent as other tinnitus forms but it is equally stressful and annoying.

The arterial turbulence, a condition characterized by the plaques or crimps in the arteries located at the neck or head region is one of the most common forms of pulsatile tinnitus. This causes the blood flow to elevate and can even be more severe when a person has a hypertension attack. If the blood flow is increased or elevated as a result of restricted or narrowed down blood flow, the ears can hear a turbulence sound.

The symptoms of this type of tinnitus are different from the symptoms of the continuous form of tinnitus. However, there are some unfortunate people who can experience both types and most of them agree that pulsatile tinnitus-produced sounds are the most annoying. Like other tinnitus types, this pulsatile type of tinnitus is not a disease but a symptom signaling other more serious health problems. Because the main cause of this condition is related to blood circulation, the underlying cause must be something that needs immediate medical attention. However, you shouldn't worry much because this condition can be treated.

Other conditions including the following may cause pulsatile tinnitus:

1. Arteriovenous Malformations - this occurs when the veins and arteries close to the auditory nerve of the cranial cavity become irregular in number. Because there is pulsation happening in the auditory nerve, the beating sound is produced.

2. Atherosclerosis - the cholesterol buildup on the artery wall causes the arterial constriction. This condition causes the blood flow to be disrupted; thereby producing a pulsating sound a tinnitus sufferer can hear.

3. Benign Intracranial Hypertension - the inflated pressure placed on the fluid that surrounds the brain can cause the condition called Benign Intracranial Hypertension. This condition is signaled by hearing pulsating sound until it eventually becomes hearing loss.

4. Carotid Artery-Cavernous Sinus Fistula - this condition results from massive head trauma. It involves the abnormal merging of the large artery and large veins.

5. Middle Ear Inflammation or Infection - the blood flow can elevate as a result of infection in the middle ear. The elevated blood circulation results to a pulsating or turbulent sound comparable to the turbulent sound of water flowing rapidly.

6. Hypertension - in many cases, pulsatile tinnitus is caused by taking medications for hypertension. This can be treated by changing the dosage of the medication or changing it completely.

7. Glomous Tumor - this condition is also called vascular tumor which can occur at the base of the skull in the middle or inside the ear. This condition can be corrected by surgery.

As mentioned earlier, pulsatile tinnitus is not a disease but a symptom of other underlying conditions that need to be given immediate medical attention. Therefore, at the onset of the symptoms, it is a must that you consult with your healthcare provider.