Unpacking pulsatile tinnitus
Swishing, whooshing, ringing – tinnitus brings a wide range of noises, some high, some low. As you may know, tinnitus is a sensation of noise absence of an external source. Some people report noises of birds tweeting, others report sounds of machinery, regardless of the noise generated this is called tinnitus.
Many sufferers state that tinnitus rings constantly while others experience rhythmical noise that usually has the same rate as the heart. If you are someone that is experiencing a sound that is rhythmical with your heart then this is called pulsatile tinnitus.
There are very clear differences between tinnitus and pulsatile tinnitus, the obvious difference being that one can be constant, the other the same pace as the heart.
Some years ago when I was younger I remember sitting back late one night with my head on the pillow, hearing swoosh, pause, swoosh, pause. For years I didn’t really understand why this happened, it was just something that slowly disappeared over time. Although it didn’t bother me in the slightest, I know it drove some people insane. For those who sleep in complete silence who are reading this, you will know how frustrating an irritating noise can be to your sleep pattern.
The differences between tinnitus and pulsatile tinnitus
Understanding the differences is key as this will allow you to understand what’s really going on.
Tinnitus
- Constant ringing noise
- Spikes throughout the week or month, sometimes a very slight subtle constant noise, heightened at other times
- Can be a mixture of noises including buzzing, chirping, humming
Pulsatile Tinnitus
- Usually swooshing and buzzing sounds
- The noise is not constant
- Usually the noise is at the same pace as the heart rate
Why we experience tinnitus
There are many weird and wonderful reasons why we develop tinnitus but some of the main reasons are as follows;
- Age-related hearing loss
- Excessive loud noise
- Stress, anxiety
- Build up of earwax
- Ear infection
Why we experience pulsatile tinnitus
The main reason people experience pulsatile tinnitus is a change in blood flow in the vessels near the ear or a change in awareness of that blood flow. The vessels include the large arteries and veins in the neck and base of the skull and smaller ones in the ear itself.
The causes of tinnitus compared with pulsatile tinnitus are completely different. When you speak with your GP or ENT specialist, it’s very important to be very specific about what’s exactly going on. Talking through the types of noise, time of day, patterns etc is key for the professional to really understand what’s going on.
How to check for pulsatile tinnitus
You can easily find out by feeling the pulse at the same time as listening to the tinnitus. Many sufferers experience pulsatile tinnitus late at night. Sufferers state that while trying to get to sleep they can often hear a swooshing noise at the same pace as their heartbeat. People who suffer from tinnitus experience the noise constantly and not in tune with the heartbeat.
Investigating pulsatile tinnitus
Because there are different reasons we experience pulsatile tinnitus this means it is treated very differently to ‘regular’ tinnitus. According to the British Tinnitus Association, if it’s believed you do have this condition then the following checks may be carried out.
Ultrasound
A device that uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of the inside of the body.
MRA scan
Magnetic resonance angiogram. A way of creating detailed images of your internal organs, such as your heart and blood vessels.
MRI scan
Magnetic resonance imaging is a scan that uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to provide pictures of blood vessels inside the body. Those who suffer from tinnitus may have had an MRI scan in the early stages of developing tinnitus, as all sufferers will know unfortunately there is currently no cure. However, with pulsatile tinnitus, through carrying out the correct test professionals can determine why you may be experiencing symptoms and can implement steps to cure your condition.
How tinnitus is treated
Unfortunately as you will know and probably have been told too many times to count, there is no cure for tinnitus. Your story is probably similar to mine, taken through the long process of hearing tests, MRI scans, consultations and then to be told at the end you’re just going to have to live with the noise!
Sound familiar?
Hope is followed by disappointment – that said, it’s important we look at the positives rather than the negatives. Regardless if you have tinnitus or pulsatile tinnitus, the reality is it’s still a frustrating noise we need to deal with.
Get support and advice
There are a variety of support services now available for those who have pulsatile tinnitus.
ATA – American Tinnitus Association
BTA – British Tinnitus Association
Tinnitus Talk – Forum for tinnitus sufferers
Getting support is key if you’re someone who may be currently suffering with this condition. Reaching out to someone who may have gone through the same situations as yourself can really make a positive impact.
Don’t be alone – talk to other tinnitus sufferers!
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I am an active 85 year old woman who recently had the horrific experience of Tinnitis in the
form of very loud, never pausing machinegun like noise. I thought I was going to lose my mind!
Few days later it almost disappeared. After appx 1 mo it has returned, is constant, on a scale from
1-10 it is a 2..during the day (I wear hearing aids) until I go to bed. I can not sleep until hours later, from exhaustion, average hours of sleep 2-3 hrs.
I’ve had tinnitus 24/7 all my life and I just stay chilled about it. I used to bang my head against the wall as a child to try and stop it. I figured I’d change my reaction as I couldn’t do anything about it. I hope you are okay. There are some tinnitus groups on Facebook, have a search for ‘tinnitus’ and you’ll find them, there is a lot of support out there.
I have exactly the same symptoms and found that vitamin b12 injections help.
Orally may do the same.
Best of Luck !
How often do you inject vitamin b 12? I have the vitamin b complex injections i just started one yesterday i hope they work
Did injections of b12 stop the sound in your ear?
I’ve recently been experiencing pulsing, whooshing and crumbly noises in my left ear. If I move my jaw sideways it stops… strange huh!? And I think it is linked to me fainting a few days ago. But I’m not sure 😅
Hey Daniel, I have the same, for years now. I am too scared to go to the doctor, do you happen to get diagnosed on what your problem is?
Hello l have suffered with tinnitus for many years hearing aids don’t help soothe it. The pulsatile, like hearing a very load heart beat in my head is upsetting my sleep help.
Since I had a stroke in 2017, and a fall 1 1/2 months later, I developed tinnitus, primarily in 1 ear. I didn’t fall on the head. Also, stopped taking a drug that increased my size by 100 pounds. I am losing the weight but the constant pulsing like an echoing drum (stronger at night) keeps me from longer sleep than 4-6 hrs. I had an mri by a neurologist with nothing to show except age related matter (62 years old). The ENT said nothing can be done. I used to take another drug to sleep. Now, sometimes I take Tylenol or melotonin as I have stage 3 ckd.
How to stop pulsing sound at night: 1. No alcohol, caffeine or nicotine after 5:00 pm 2. Believe it not try this – it works for me: do not let your pillow touch your headboard (place a smaller pillow between your regular pillow and the headboard) — buy a very firm pillow — do not let the pillow touch your neck (puts pressure on the carotid artery in the neck — just place your head on the very bottom edge of the pillow — if you still hear the pulsing, try turning over to your other side.
I experimented until discovering this method, which works each and every time for me.
Good luck!
Wow good for you John Richards and thank I will try your methods. I started having this tinnitus sounds for like about 3 months now at first I let it bother me but now I even noticed I have until is time to go to bed 🛌 that when I hear it the most and am only 35 so I guess it happens to all ages.
Yes Katarunada, it happens at all ages. I also started with a ringing sound at first out of a sudden while watching TV now it is sometimes ringing, but mostly pulsating tinittus when laying down. I am 37 years old.
Anyone get it initially after or during an ear infection?
It started for me after carotid artery surgery. Hoping it will cease once my head gets used to the new blood flow.
Hi yes it started after an ear infection and I now have glue ear, meaning fluid ithst does not drain is stuck behind my eardrum.
Do you still have yours?
I have had tinnitus for years now. I feel your pain. I listen to a CD recommend by my PT. I start it when I lay down and it stops on its own. If I wake up during the night I just turn it on and fall right back asleep. No need of sleeping pills. It is called Sleeping Better by Dr. David lIIig http://www.successworld.com ISBN 0-86580-055-3 I hope I helped someone.
Subliminal Learning – Music and Nature. Hope I helped someone.
I’m 25 and have pulsatile tinnitus. I perforated my ear drum back in October 2017 in the left ear so I’m not sure if this could be a direct link? Also the tinnitus only starts at night, people have said maybe you don’t know notice it during the day but I can always hear it through noise, it’s started a few times whilst watching telly but usually at night. Why is that?
When we moved about 6 years ago I began to hear a machinery hum that I thought was the basement sump pump. The hum only was noticable when I went to bed. I think it is pulsatile tinnitus as I seldom hear it during the day but it doesn’t seem to have a heartbeat, instead it’s similar to an ocean foghorn rhythm. I did a bit of online reading and found an article about dehydration and tinnitus. I am a chronic migraine sufferer and have experienced a dramatic decline in headaches after increasing my water intake. I have now started to drink a glass of water just before going to bed and have noticed an improvement. I still have to wear earplugs and with then in I do hear my pulse. I can sleep with that heartbeat rhythm but the 2-4 second humming, pause, humming is too distracting. Now that I am paying attention I have noticed that I need to drink a glass of water every morning too. Hopefully I can get hydrated and find long term relief.
This is exactly the same noise/time I have. And I know I’m dehydrated a lot so thanks for posting! Gonna try the water cure..
I get the sound of shovelling coal every couple of minutes or less -it also sounds like a very gruff dog barking. It only happens when i lie down flat on my back.
I am deaf 57 years old with bilateral profound severe hearing loss since 2012. Experienced severe tinnitus at night time. Current having cochlea implant on my right ear. Work in progress. Purpose to reduce tinnitus. It sure does reduce about 70% since Sept 2020. There is another story: Had a heart attack on Dec 9, 2020 after experienced high stress that day. Received stent in one of 6 arteries on top of my heart to open up 99.99% blockage. Weighted 235 lbs Changed my habits: Quit smoking cigarettes and weed, change my diet and exercise more by walking which is good for me. Now weighted at 220 lbs and will continue loosing more. Bedtime issue: Either tinnitus alone or combined with head explosive syndrome continues AFTER removing cochlea implant. Difficult for me to sleep each night. Wake up 3 to 4 times before going to bathroom. Unknown Cause: sound, full bladder or apnea. Just completed my sleep test and will get the result in two weeks. Someone mentioned getting firm pillow and adjusting position of pillow under my side head (I normally sleep on the side with closed mouth). Does it really work? I also use night mouth guard all life to stop teeth grinding. Obviously I am hot mess. My point: tinnitus is so bothersome and I would need BIG help to overcome it.
I got tinnitus after a neck massage from one of those mechanical rolling machines. Felt dizzy for a little while then heard the constant tinnitus. That was almost a year ago. Now I have pulsatile tinnitus occasionally in the right ear which is different and in time with my heart beat. Had MRIs and ultrasound of the neck. Nothing. Now will try an MRA.
Did they find anything on the MRA?
Yeah I’m wondering that as well… anything on the MRA?
Hi, I’m 14 and every night when I put my head on my pillow I can hear a sort of low pitched banging in time with my heart beat. I don’t know what is causing this and it is stopping me from falling asleep at night. Can anyone help me?
Hi Ella, it’s worth checking in with your doctor and perhaps an ENT specialist just to check everything is okay. It might be a type of tinnitus.
Got pulsatile tinnitus right after a thermage cosmetic, anybody else?
Felt hot spots on jaw and new, no redness or swelling at all.
I have experienced tinnitus since my late 20s ( I m in my early 70s n0ow) and lately I have also experienced pulsatile tinnitus. I have dealt with the ringing all these years, but the pulsatile tinnitus is driving me crazy. My GP says it is nothing to worry about and just blood flow. I am beginning to wonder s when I turn my head certain ways it will either stop or diminish. As long as I can sleep at night I might be able to dealm with it.
I recently got pulsile tinnitus. It’s not ubearbearable. Does it usually get much worse ?
Can you help me with my tennites
Have had a pulsing sound in my right ear for 4 years that is in sync with my heart beat and my body has felt like it is on a boat.
Have had a pulsing sound in my right ear for 4 years that is in sync with my heart beat and my body has felt like it is on a boat.
Anyone ever get any help for pulsatilla tinnitus causing you to feel like you are on an ocean?
I wake up every time I am in rem sleep from pulsating noise in my left ear
I too have been waking up frequently from the pulsatile tinnitus. It happened one time at night, I had a dream and was woken up with whooshing sound and heart beat with about 5 seconds. Now, every night it seems to wake me up about 3-5 times which is depriving me from sleep. I also get it during the day if I stand up or bend down.
Hi, during the day my tinnitus is manageable, a continuous buzzing sound. But at night I wake up with the loud pulsing type which is very disturbing. If I have a nap during the day when I wake up the noise is back and takes a long time to revert to my usual daytime continuous sound. So, it is somehow connected with sleep. I have not found anything on the web to explain this.
I have Pulsatile tinnitus and I am going to go to the dr for it. I get it all the time. One thing that does help me some when trying to sleep is having a box fan. The fan noise drowns out my heartbeat sound. It’s a very annoying disorder to have.