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. pulsatile tinnitus may not be as prevalent as other tinnitus forms but it is equally stressful and annoying.

There are different types of pulsatile tinnitus and one of the most prevalent is a condition called arterial turbulence. This is caused by restricted flow of blood that causes crimps or plaques in the arteries along the region of head and neck. The condition can worsen when the affected person suffers from high blood pressure. When this occurs, the body experiences an increased blood flow which causes the production of turbulence sound in the ears.

This type of tinnitus affects a person differently from other types of tinnitus. Nevertheless, there are some people who can get afflicted by this type and another type. Those who have such conditions agree that the more annoying and irritation sounds they hear are mainly caused by pulsatile tinnitus. One thing this type of tinnitus shares in common with other types is that it is not considered a disease but rather a result of other underlying conditions. Since it can be caused by poor blood circulation or blood flow, the condition causing it must be serious and severe and must be addressed medically. One thing sufferers shouldn’t be worried about is that there are treatments for this condition.

Aside from poor blood flow, pulsatile tinnitus may be caused by other conditions such as:

1. Arteriovenous Malformations – an irregular number of arteries and veins that occur near the cranial cavity’s auditory nerve. The beating sound is actually caused by the pulsation occurring in the auditory nerve.

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 is characterized by the joining of large veins and arteries caused mainly by massive head trauma.

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 – pulsatile tinnitus can be caused by taking medicines used to treat hypertension or high blood pressure. To correct this problem, the dosage of the medication may need to be lowered or the medication itself may be changed completely.

7. Glomous Tumor – this condition is also called vascular tumor which can occur at the base of the skull in the middle or inside the ear. This condition can be corrected by surgery.

Once again, 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.

Be Sociable, Share!

•