Pulsatile Tinnitus
What is It?
Tinnitus—a sound heard by a person when there’s no apparent outside source—is a fairly well-known condition. Even if you’ve never had it yourself, you probably know someone who hears a constant ringing or buzzing in their ears. While tinnitus itself is common, some types, including pulsatile tinnitus, remain relatively unknown.
People with pulsatile tinnitus hear a rhythmic sound that matches their heartbeat. The sound is often described as pounding or hissing, similar to what you might hear during or after physical effort. This sound, caused by the circulatory system, is made worse by conductive hearing loss caused by conditions such as otitis media or eardrum perforation.
Cause
What really differentiates this type of tinnitus is that it’s related to an abnormality in the circulatory system. That means its cause and origins can be found more easily, and the condition can even be treated in some cases. If the pulsatile tinnitus is caused by high blood pressure or intracranial hypertension, for example, managing the underlying condition will get rid of the tinnitus. If the tinnitus is caused by an anatomical abnormality, like a venous malformation, an aneurysm or a tumour, an ENT specialist will assess whether the treatment could be surgical.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis begins with a visit to an ENT specialist, who will examine the patient's ear to rule out earwax buildup or middle ear infection and check the blood vessels in the neck and ear area using a stethoscope. He will also investigate the patient's pre-existing conditions and medications to determine if they may cause or contribute to the tinnitus. He may also prescribe other tests if he feels it is necessary. A hearing assessment with an audiologist could be recommended to detect the presence of conductive hearing loss, the cause of which would not be visible to the naked eye.
