Have you ever noticed a rhythmic pulsing or whooshing sound in your ear that seems to beat in time with your heart? This can be a startling and sometimes concerning sensation. If you’re lying in bed or sitting quietly and find yourself asking, “Why Can I Hear My Heartbeat In My Ear?”, you’re likely experiencing a condition known as pulsatile tinnitus. While it can be alarming, it’s often benign, but understanding the potential causes and when to seek medical advice is essential.
What is Pulsatile Tinnitus?
Pulsatile tinnitus is a unique form of tinnitus where the sound perceived isn’t a constant ringing or buzzing, but rather a rhythmic pulsing, thumping, or whooshing. This sound is often synchronized with your heartbeat, which can be quite noticeable, especially in quiet environments. Most individuals experience this in just one ear, although it can occur in both. The sound you hear is actually the sound of blood flow within the blood vessels near your ear. Turbulent blood flow, rather than a smooth flow, is what creates these audible pulsations.
Common Causes of Hearing Heartbeat in Ear
Several factors can lead to this turbulent blood flow and result in you hearing your heartbeat in your ear. The most common causes include:
Conductive Hearing Loss
Conditions that affect the outer or middle ear, known as conductive hearing loss, can amplify internal body sounds. This type of hearing loss can arise from middle ear infections, inflammation, fluid buildup, or issues with the ossicles – the tiny bones in the middle ear crucial for hearing. When conductive hearing loss is present, everyday internal sounds like breathing, chewing, and blood flow become more pronounced, including the flow within the carotid artery and jugular vein, major blood vessels near the ear that supply blood to and from the brain.
Carotid Artery Disease
The carotid arteries in your neck are major vessels that carry blood to your brain. When fatty plaque accumulates inside these arteries, a condition known as carotid artery disease, it can disrupt the smooth flow of blood. This irregular blood flow becomes turbulent, generating the pulsing sound of pulsatile tinnitus.
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
Elevated blood pressure can also contribute to pulsatile tinnitus. When blood pressure is high, the force of blood flow through arteries like the carotid artery increases. This stronger, more forceful flow is more likely to become turbulent, leading to the pulsating sound in your ear.
Blood Vessel Disorders
In some instances, pulsatile tinnitus can be a symptom of various blood vessel abnormalities. These can include:
- Aneurysm: A weakened and bulging section in a blood vessel wall.
- Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM): An abnormal connection between arteries and veins.
- Twisted Arteries: Arteries that are unusually curved or twisted.
- Glomus Tumor: A benign tumor of blood vessels, which can develop behind the eardrum.
When Should You Be Concerned?
While hearing your heartbeat in your ear can be unsettling, it’s often not a sign of a serious underlying condition. However, it’s important to pay attention to how long it lasts and if it becomes bothersome. If pulsatile tinnitus persists for more than a couple of weeks or significantly impacts your daily life, it’s advisable to consult with your doctor.
Your doctor will likely start by taking a thorough medical history and examining your ears. They may also listen to the blood flow in your neck arteries with a stethoscope. If no obvious cause is found during the initial examination, further testing might be recommended, such as a hearing test. If your doctor detects a bruit – an abnormal sound indicating turbulent blood flow – in your carotid arteries, they might suggest tests to check for carotid artery narrowing or other vascular malformations.
Conclusion: Reassurance and Next Steps
In most cases, pulsatile tinnitus is not a cause for major concern and may resolve on its own. However, persistent or bothersome pulsatile tinnitus warrants a discussion with your healthcare provider to rule out any underlying medical conditions and determine if any intervention is necessary. Understanding why you can hear your heartbeat in your ear is the first step towards addressing it and finding peace of mind.
