Have you ever been lying in bed or sitting in a quiet room and suddenly become aware of a rhythmic pulsing sound in your ear, matching your heartbeat? This can be unsettling, and you might wonder, “Why Can I Hear My Heartbeat In My Ears?” It’s a common question, and the sensation you’re experiencing is known as pulsatile tinnitus. While it can be alarming, understanding what causes this phenomenon can help ease your worries and guide you on when to seek medical advice.
Pulsatile tinnitus is characterized by a rhythmic thumping, pulsing, throbbing, or whooshing sound that is synchronized with your heartbeat. Unlike other forms of tinnitus, which are often described as ringing or buzzing and originate within the ear itself, pulsatile tinnitus is caused by actual sounds from blood flow in the vessels near your ears. Most individuals experience this in just one ear, although it can occur in both. This audible heartbeat is typically a result of turbulent blood flow in the blood vessels of your neck or head. Let’s explore the common reasons behind why you might be hearing your heartbeat in your ear.
Common Causes of Hearing Your Heartbeat in Your Ears
Several conditions can lead to the perception of hearing your heartbeat in your ears, medically termed pulsatile tinnitus. Understanding these potential causes is the first step in determining whether you need to seek medical attention.
1. Conductive Hearing Loss
Conductive hearing loss occurs when sounds are unable to travel properly from the outer and middle ear to the inner ear. This type of hearing loss can be caused by various issues, including infections or inflammation of the middle ear, fluid accumulation in the middle ear, or problems with the ossicles – the tiny bones in the middle ear crucial for hearing.
When you experience conductive hearing loss, your body naturally tries to compensate by amplifying internal sounds. This amplification can make you more aware of bodily noises that are usually faint or unnoticed, such as breathing, chewing, and blood flow. In particular, it can intensify the sound of blood flowing through the carotid artery and jugular vein, two major blood vessels located near each ear that carry blood to and from the brain. This increased awareness of blood flow can manifest as pulsatile tinnitus, making you hear your heartbeat in your ear.
2. Carotid Artery Disease
Carotid artery disease is a condition where plaque, composed of fat, cholesterol, and other substances, builds up inside the carotid arteries. These arteries are major blood vessels in your neck that supply blood to your brain, head, and face. The buildup of plaque, known as atherosclerosis, can narrow or block these arteries.
This narrowing creates turbulent blood flow as blood tries to pass through the constricted space. This turbulent flow is not smooth and streamlined; instead, it becomes irregular and noisy. The sound of this turbulent blood flow in the carotid artery can be transmitted to your ear, resulting in pulsatile tinnitus. The rhythmic pulsing you hear is directly related to the increased turbulence with each heartbeat.
3. High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
High blood pressure, or hypertension, puts extra force on the walls of your arteries. When your blood pressure is elevated, the blood flows with greater force and speed through your blood vessels, including the carotid artery. This increased force can lead to more turbulent blood flow, especially in areas where vessels might have slight irregularities or bends.
The turbulent blood flow caused by high blood pressure is more likely to generate audible sounds that can be perceived as pulsatile tinnitus. Managing high blood pressure is crucial for overall health and can also help reduce symptoms like hearing your heartbeat in your ears.
4. Blood Vessel Disorders
Various blood vessel disorders and abnormalities can also be underlying causes of pulsatile tinnitus. These conditions affect the structure and function of blood vessels, leading to altered blood flow dynamics and the potential for audible pulsations. These disorders, while less common, are important to consider:
- Aneurysm: An aneurysm is a bulge or weakened area in the wall of a blood vessel. This weakened section can cause turbulent blood flow as blood passes through the distorted vessel shape.
- Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM): An AVM is an abnormal tangle of arteries and veins, disrupting the normal flow of blood and pressure gradients. The unusual connections can create turbulent flow and noise.
- Twisted Arteries: Arteries that are abnormally twisted or kinked can restrict blood flow and create turbulence, leading to pulsatile tinnitus.
- Glomus Tumor: A glomus tumor is a benign (non-cancerous) tumor that develops in the glomus cells. These cells are located near blood vessels and nerves, particularly in the middle ear. A glomus tumor can be highly vascular, meaning it has many blood vessels. Its proximity to the ear and its own blood flow can sometimes generate a pulsing sound.
When to Seek Medical Advice for Hearing Your Heartbeat
While occasional and fleeting pulsatile tinnitus might not be a cause for immediate alarm, it’s important to know when to consult a healthcare professional. According to medical experts, if you experience any of the following, it’s advisable to seek medical evaluation:
- Persistent Pulsatile Tinnitus: If the sound of your heartbeat in your ear does not go away on its own after a couple of weeks.
- Bothersome Symptoms: If the pulsatile tinnitus becomes particularly bothersome, disruptive to your daily life, or affects your sleep.
- Associated Symptoms: If you experience pulsatile tinnitus along with other symptoms like dizziness, hearing loss, headache, or changes in vision.
During a medical evaluation, your doctor will typically start by taking a detailed medical history and performing a physical examination, including examining your ears and listening to the blood flow in your neck arteries with a stethoscope. If no obvious cause is identified, further tests might be recommended. These could include a hearing test to assess for any hearing loss and imaging tests, such as ultrasound or MRI, to examine the carotid arteries and other blood vessels for abnormalities. If the doctor hears a bruit – an unusual sound indicating turbulent blood flow – in your carotid arteries, tests to check for narrowing or malformations in these arteries are likely to be recommended.
In most instances, pulsatile tinnitus is not indicative of a serious underlying condition. However, it’s always best to get it checked out to rule out any treatable causes and to receive appropriate guidance and reassurance. Don’t hesitate to discuss your symptoms with your doctor if you are concerned about hearing your heartbeat in your ears.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment of any medical condition.
