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.
One of the most popular types of pulsatile tinnitus is the arterial turbulence or the crimps or plaques in the arteries of the head or neck region that causes the blood to flow with a rumbling sound. This condition is made worse by hypertension. If the flow of blood is increased for some reasons or due to the narrowing down of the restricted blood flow, a turbulence sound can be heard.
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.
Aside from poor blood flow, pulsatile tinnitus may be caused by other conditions such as:
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 pulsating sound a tinnitus patient can hear can also be caused by atherosclerosis, a condition caused by the accumulation of cholesterol on walls of the artery.
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 – one of the major causes of pulsatile tinnitus is the intake of hypertension medications. The condition can be corrected either by changing the medicine or lowering the dosage.
7. Glomous Tumor – also identified as vascular tumor that occurs inside or just below the ear. Surgery is often advised to correct this condition.
As discussed in this article, 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.
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