Pulsating in Ear - A Quick Guide

When your pulse can be heard on your ears, this is known to be a pulsating, pulsatile or vascular tinnitus. With pulsating in ear, a person experiences sensations in the ear as that of the same tempo of the heartbeat. This is an uncommon type of sensation in the ear. This is caused by blood flowing in veins and arteries and other smaller vessels in the neck, skull, and ear. And while this is an uncommon symptom, it must automatically be examined by a doctor because it might be a life threatening ailment.

Chronic inflammation or middle ear infection, Eustachian tube, dysfunction middle ear effusion, vascular tumors, arteriovensus malformation, carotid artery-cavernous sinus fistula and venous hum are possible causes of a pulsating in ear. Increased blood to the tissue that is inflamed accompanies the chronic inflammation. And since it is just near the ear, it is then sensitive to hearing and the increase of the blood flow to the area. When there is a blockage of the tube and it caused a pulsating in the ear, this is the Eustachian tube dysfunction. The tubes would normally open and close as one would hear, swallow .yawn, or speak, but when a person gets sensitive, colds, cough, allergies or excessive earwax, it results to the blockage.

The middle ear is an air-fluid space in the ear. If for some reason, may it be due to infection, inflammation or Eustachian tube dysfunction, the fluid increases in the middle ear, this would then result to pulsating in ear. Treating it with antibiotics, decongestants and nasal steroid sprays will relieve the patient. Vascular tumor could also give a pulsating in ear symptom. This tumor is referred to as glomus tumors or paragangliomas. This tumor is not dangerous or life-threatening, but since it is located in an area sensitive to hearing it may be very annoying for the sufferer. Surgery is the best treatment for this.

Pulsating in ear may happen in arteriovenous malformation. These are the abnormal group of arteries and veins that occurs in the cranial cavity near the auditory nerve. Surgery would be the best treatment for this to repair the damage or injuries of certain parts. Carotid artery cavernous sinus fistula could happen with a person with severe head trauma. An abnormality occurs with the very large artery and very large venous within the cranial cavity. This condition though, doesn’t required surgery but an interventional radiologist.

The sudden changes in blood flow in arteries and veins could be a reason for getting pulsating in ear. Usually, the pregnant, anemic, or those with thyroid problems will have increased blood flow in the largest vein located in the neck, which is called the jugular vein. This brain transmits blood from the brain back to the heart; but as it does, it passes through the jugular vein and can be heard of as a “hum”. All these are just a few of pulsating in ear causes. If you have this symptom, go and visit your doctor immediately.