Pulsatile tinnitus is a condition where a person hears a rhythmic swooshing or whooshing noise inside their head that often keeps pace with their pulse. The most common cause of pulsatile tinnitus is venous sinus stenosis, also known as idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), which is a condition that consists of high pressure in the fluid around the brain. Other causes of pulsatile tinnitus include:
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Atherosclerosis: This is a hardening of the arteries, which can make for uneven blood flow. Uneven blood flow makes more noise than smooth-flowing blood through arteries close to the ear.
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Anemia: Anemia may increase blood flow, which may in turn affect blood vessels and cause pulsatile tinnitus.
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Middle ear tumors: Some people have small tumors in their middle ears.
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Vascular malformations: Pulsatile tinnitus is the result of abnormal connections between arteries and veins.
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Heightened awareness: If someone is suffering from a condition causing conductive hearing loss, such as a perforated eardrum or secretory otitis media (glue ear), they tend to be more aware of sounds from inside their body.
Its important to note that just having pulsatile tinnitus doesn't mean a person has these conditions. In some cases, pulsatile tinnitus isn't due to a change in blood flow itself, but rather an enhanced ability to hear blood flow more intensely.
