Ear Ringing Pulsating: What It Means And When To Worry
Ear Ringing Pulsating is a phrase which is used by individuals to describe feeling or hearing a pulse, heartbeat or throbbing sound within either one of their ears or both ears. Some refer to it as a pulsing sound in the ear; others may say ear ringing and pulsating or ear pain pulsating sounds coming and going. This type of sensation and/or sound can feel unusual and frightening (especially in quiet areas or at night).
For the most part, ear ringing pulsating sensations are non-threatening. In general, this type of pulsating sensation is caused by blood flow, ear pressure or physical body tension. However, it may occasionally be a warning sign that you cannot afford to overlook.
This guide will provide you with information on what ear ringing pulsating means, what ear ringing pulsating typically feels like, common causes, red flag indicators and how to determine if you need to contact a doctor or visit the emergency room. The ultimate goal for this guide is to provide you with comfort, knowledge and control over this sensation.
What Ear Ringing Pulsating Is And How It Feels
When you have ear ringing pulsating, it can seem as though your own body is producing noise within your brain. Most people report the sound to be rhythmic and to match the rate of their heart beating (i.e., they hear the sound of their pulse). Therefore, each time their heart beats, they are able to identify the sound of their pulse; i.e., a small “tap” or “swoosh” in their ear.
For some individuals, the sound is described as a “whoosh,” a “soft drumbeat,” a “steady throb” just below the surface of the skin. For other people, this particular type of tinnitus (Ear Ringing Pulsating) is reported in conjunction with hearing ear ringing and pulsating, slight ear pressure, or a constant annoying pulsating ear pain that is difficult to ignore.
The tinnitus referred to here is somewhat different than the “ringing in the ears” that most people are familiar with. While the latter typically refers to a single pitch, the tinnitus described above has rhythm. This type of tinnitus may be more noticeable at night, while lying in bed, in a quiet environment, etc.
How Ear Ringing Pulsating Is Different From Regular Tinnitus
Most of the time, regular tinnitus is the same kind of sound all the time (the sound does not change based on how fast your heart beats). The most common types of sounds heard as regular tinnitus are ringing, hissing, whistling and buzzing; some people hear one sound while others hear several different ones at the same time.
Pulsatile tinnitus however, tends to have a rhythm which seems to be related to the beating of your heart. For example, you may find that when your heart is racing (e.g., after running up the stairs) or when you’re nervous or anxious, the sound seems louder and more noticeable.
Because the rhythm of the sound from pulsatile tinnitus is usually connected to blood flow or to physical events happening in the body, doctors may consider pulsatile tinnitus a greater concern than regular tinnitus. Because of its unique rhythm, it could signal an event happening either inside the ear itself or near the ear.
Common Ways People Describe Ear Ringing Pulsating
There are lots of words to describe what ear ringing pulsating sounds like, but you may be able to relate to some of them:
- You hear a thump in your ear in sync with every beat of your heart.
- You hear a “whoosh” or “swoosh” sound as your heart beats.
- Your ears ring and feel a pounding sensation at night when there is complete silence.
- There is a rhythmic “drumming” feeling in one ear that is internal, rather than external.
Mostly the rhythm will match your heart rate; like having an uninvited metronome ticking away inside you.
Most Common Causes Of Ear Ringing Pulsating
The many possible reasons for this pulsing sound all relate to how blood flows through the body (due to high blood pressure), ear issues (infection or fluid in the ears) or the way pressure is changing inside your head. Tightness in the neck and/or jaw may cause this pulsing sound in some individuals and will certainly accentuate it.
A doctor can be the only one that can determine whether you have a serious problem and the only one who can tell you if you don’t. Knowing the basics about this condition will help you explain your symptoms better to your doctor, allow you to ask him/her more relevant questions and reduce some of the anxiety associated with going to see them.
Blood Flow And Vascular Causes
Ear ringing pulsating may be caused by rapid flow of blood in the nearby vessels of your ear or brain; by high pressure from flowing blood; or as a result of turbulent blood flow. A number of things can contribute to such problems including high blood pressure, anemia (blood thinning); hardened arteries; or other irregularities with your blood vessels.
A variety of factors that are associated with gaining weight, lack of physical activity, and smoking may increase your risk for developing some of these problems. It is helpful to tell your physician if you currently have any heart or hypertension issues and have experienced a pulsating sensation.
Ear Problems, Infection, And Fluid Buildup
A throbbing, pulsing type of ear ringing sensation, and a feeling of ear pain can be caused by fluid in the back of the ear drum (behind the eardrum) or an ear infection, which creates an uncomfortable, heavy sensation as if your ear is filled with water.
Many people with this experience also have symptoms including: Ear ringing pulsating,ear pressure; ear muffled or hearing sounds as if they were under water; popping or crackling noises; sharp pain, which may be brought on by swallowing, bending, blowing your nose, or lying on the side of the infected ear; and some individuals report being a little unbalanced or dizzy due to the fluid shifting inside the middle ear.
Fortunately, these causes are fairly common, and can usually be treated using medication, ear drops, or a simple visit to a doctor for the removal of earwax and examination for possible infection.
Usually after the infection has cleared and/or the fluid has drained, it will take several days for both the pulsating sound and the pressure to decrease. A doctor can provide guidance regarding additional home-based treatments such as warm compresses, or other pain relieving measures to help make you more comfortable during the healing process.
Neck, Jaw, And Muscle Tension Triggers
Ear ringing pulsating may be caused by tight neck muscles, jaw clenching or teeth grinding that compresses blood vessels and nerve pathways in the area of the ear. Tightness in the muscles of the neck (due to long hours on a computer, poor posture or chronic stress), will only cause this compression to worsen. The doctor or dentist should also know about jaw pain, neck stiffness and headaches as well.
Medication, Caffeine, And Lifestyle Factors
In some cases, medications can cause tinnitus or make it seem like the pulsatile sound is louder. Aspirin taken in large doses, certain antibiotics and diuretics (water tablets) are common examples of this.
Caffeine, nicotine and energy drinks all can increase heart rate and blood pressure; these can also increase the perceived loudness of the pulsatile sounds in the ear. Do not discontinue your prescribed medication without first consulting your physician. If you experience changes while taking your medication, be sure to discuss them with your physician.
When Ear Ringing Pulsating Has A Serious Cause
The vast majority of times that an individual will experience pulsatile tinnitus (a steady, rhythmic heartbeat type of tinnitus), the cause will be benign (not harmful) and may include; stress or anxiety (tension), fluid behind the eardrum, Eustachian tube dysfunction, etc.
However, there are some rare instances where pulsatile tinnitus may indicate an underlying problem, including a vascular anomaly in the brain, a mass or tumor near the ear, or increased intracranial pressure (pressure surrounding the brain). It is essential to note that these types of underlying problems are rare in comparison to common, non-threatening causes for pulsatile tinnitus.
Because these conditions can impact blood flow to the area affected by tinnitus, and potentially damage the nerves in the area, doctors often investigate further when patients report hearing a distinct, steady beat within one ear, particularly if the patient has never heard this before, or if it changes over time.
The key is to remain calm, listen to your body, and take your symptoms seriously enough to seek medical evaluation.
When To Worry: Red Flag Symptoms With Ear Ringing Pulsating
Mostly ear ringing pulsating isn’t an emergency nor does it indicate immediate danger. There are however some very obvious warning signs (especially if your symptoms have changed quickly) which would prompt you to seek medical attention right away.
Signs You Should Call A Doctor Soon
Book an appointment for a “same week” or “routine” visit with your doctor if you have noticed:
- A pulsating sensation (ringing) that has lasted longer than just a couple of days.
- The pulsation is only occurring in one ear.
- Your symptoms are continuing to worsen.
- You are experiencing new ear ringing/throbbing sensations; new headaches; new dizziness.
It is possible that recent ear infections; recent sinus infections; or recent dental procedures may be contributing to these sensations. Maintaining a simple record of when the pulsations occur; how long they last; and what triggers them to either decrease or increase will allow your physician to identify patterns.
Emergency Symptoms You Should Not Ignore
When Ear Ringing Pulsating is accompanied by urgent medical issues, get immediate help at the ER or by calling emergency services when you experience:
- Severe, sudden hearing loss in one ear or both ears.
- One-sided weakness or a droop in the corner of the mouth.
- Difficulty using your words (speech)
- Sudden, extreme, intense headaches.
- Changes in how you see things, such as seeing double.
- Extreme imbalance; inability to walk.
These are some examples of the potential urgency for the body’s internal vascular system and brain. Therefore, it is crucial to act quickly.
How Doctors Check Ear Ringing Pulsating
During an office visit, your physician typically:
- Asks you many questions regarding your symptoms as well as past medical history
- Examines your ear for signs of infection and/or fluid accumulation
- Orders other hearing tests (i.e., audiogram) and/or imaging tests (e.g., CT scan, MRI) as necessary to determine the cause of your Ear Ringing Pulsating; and hopefully obtain the correct treatment, rather than merely “learn to live with it.”
The goal is to find out what is causing the Ear Ringing Pulsating so you can get the right treatment, not just a shrug and “learn to live with it.”
What You Can Do About Ear Ringing Pulsating
It is possible to stop letting Ear Ringing Pulsating dictate your life through a variety of medical options as well as lifestyle changes. In many instances, your doctor will recommend one or multiple medical options, which may be in addition to home based options, that you can do to help alleviate your symptoms, especially after he/she has determined the reason for your symptoms.
Medical Treatments Your Doctor Might Suggest
Depending on what is causing your Ear Ringing Pulsating, your doctor may prescribe some of the following examples:
- Antibiotics (oral) or ear drops to treat an ear infection.
- Blood pressure medication if you have high blood pressure.
- Oral iron supplements if you have low iron due to anemia.
- In rare cases, surgical options or other medical procedures such as an angioplasty or stenting of a vessel in your head may be necessary to address a vessel problem or other structural issues.
The most important thing to remember is that only your doctor can determine which course of action is best for you. However, by working with your doctor and adhering to his/her recommendations, you should be able to minimize your risks and enjoy an improved quality of life.
Simple Home Steps To Calm Ear Ringing Pulsating
While waiting for care, or after being diagnosed, there are also some safe, low-risk things that can be tried:
- Avoid exposure to loud sounds and loud music.
- Turn on a fan or use an app that has white-noise in the evening.
- Cut back on the amount of caffeine, nicotine, and energy drinks consumed during the day.
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
- Try some light stretching of the neck and take deep relaxing breaths.
If the throbbing and ringing is related to muscle tension (you have to find out), placing warm or cold packs around the neck and/or jaw may provide relief. If trying any of the above methods worsens the pulsating, discontinue the attempt and discuss with your physician.
Lifestyle Habits That Support Healthy Blood Flow And Ears
When you develop long-term routines, they may eventually lower your chance of developing an ear ringing, pulsating tinnitus condition. Many methods are helpful in reducing tinnitus pulsations such as:
- Exercising moderately to vigorously at least most weekdays.
- Eating a heart-healthy diet that contains high amounts of fruits, vegetables, low-sodium foods, etc.
- Maintaining a normal body weight.
- Scheduling a consistent sleep routine.
- Utilizing simple coping mechanisms for dealing with stress (e.g., walking, journaling, therapy).
Also, protecting your ears from loud work environments and/or concerts can help to eliminate other types of tinnitus that could be heard in conjunction with your tinnitus pulsation.
Key Takeaways
- Ear ringing that has a pulse (or beats) is usually caused by blood flow, changes in pressure and/or tension within muscles, and is generally not serious.
- Tinnitus with a pulse is the most common form of tinnitus, because it mimics your pulse, and therefore is very different from other forms of tinnitus which are typically steady sounds of ringing, etc.
- Some of the most common causes of pulsatile tinnitus include hypertension, infections or fluids in the ears, Eustachian tube dysfunction, muscle tension within the neck and jaw, and certain medications or stimulants.
- While serious causes of pulsatile tinnitus are unusual, they do exist and may be associated with problems within blood vessels and/or increased pressure within the brain.
- You should call your doctor quickly if you experience pulsatile tinnitus for more than a few days, or if it is limited to one ear, or if it is worsening, or if it is accompanied by new headaches or dizziness.
- If you experience pulsatile tinnitus with sudden hearing loss, difficulty with speech, weakness of one side of the face, severe headache, changes in vision, or difficulty walking, please go to the emergency room immediately.
- Treatment will depend upon the underlying cause of your pulsatile tinnitus and may range from medication, ear care, to lowering your blood pressure through medication or lifestyle changes, and in some cases, surgical intervention.
- In addition to addressing the underlying cause, simple steps to help alleviate your symptoms include avoiding excessive levels of noise, reducing your intake of caffeine and nicotine, drinking plenty of water, stretching the muscles in your neck, and practicing stress management techniques.
- By maintaining healthy habits that support your cardiovascular health, such as engaging in regular physical activity, adhering to a heart-healthy diet, obtaining adequate amounts of sleep and managing stress, you can also lower your risk of developing pulsatile tinnitus over time.
Conclusion
While ear ringing pulsating can be annoying, scary, and weird, it is also treatable for many of its underlying causes. You now have information about ear ringing pulsating’s possible meanings, some common things that may trigger it, as well as information on when to go see a doctor or if you should seek emergency care due to other symptoms.
You don’t have to deal with ear ringing pulsating by yourself. Your doctor will be able to figure out the reason for your ear ringing pulsating by paying close attention to your symptoms, your overall health, and your daily routines. Make an appointment with your doctor, record your symptoms, and begin making small changes in your daily routine to protect your hearing and your blood vessels from the long-term effects of ear ringing pulsating.