If you constantly hear a pulsating or whooshing sound that goes in rhythm with your heart beat, then you must be suffering from pulsatile tinnitus. Also known as the vascular tinnitus, this form of tinnitus is often caused by poor blood circulation or disruption in the blood flow. While pulsatile tinnitus is one of the rarest forms of tinnitus, the effects it brings are equally challenging as the others.
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.
This form of tinnitus is different from the continuous type of tinnitus, though some people can have both types. For those people with both types of tinnitus, the sounds produced by the pulsatile tinnitus are the most irritating. Like other forms of tinnitus, the pulsatile one is not considered a disease. It is rather a symptom caused by other underlying problems. Because this condition is related to blood flow matters, the main reason could be important and must be consulted with a doctor right away. Nevertheless, this form of tinnitus is treatable.
Other underlying health conditions that can cause pulsatile tinnitus include:
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 – this condition is caused by the buildup of cholesterol on the artery wall. This causes the artery to constrict thereby causing turbulent blood flow responsible for the turbulent sound an afflicted individual 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 is characterized by the joining of large veins and arteries caused mainly by massive head trauma.
5. Middle Ear Infection or Inflammation – this is one of the major causes of increased blood flow or circulation that causes sudden turbulent or pulsating sound, just like the sound heard from flowing water.
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 – also identified as vascular tumor that occurs inside or just below the ear. Surgery is often advised to correct this condition.
Once again, pulsatile tinnitus is not considered as a disease. It can also be treated. However, to prevent recurrence and to get rid of it permanently, the underlying conditions causing it must be addressed. Thus, when you experience the symptoms, make sure to consult with your doctor immediately.
Posted by barbarathomson 
