Hearing is made possible through the activity of sensory cells and nerves within the ear. Small perturbations in the environment surrounding these cells can result in unusual or imaginary sounds being present, which is also known as tinnitus. Pulsating tinnitus is a form of tinnitus in which the sound is not constant but comes in small pulses or cycles.
Symptoms
Pulsating tinnitus, also known as pulsatile tinnitus, is an unusual sound in the ear which occurs in short bursts. These sounds often occur with the same cadence as the heart beat, World Articles in Ear, Nose and Throat explains, though in some cases the symptoms of pulsatile tinnitus are not synchronized with any physiological process.
Causes
There are a number of different conditions which can lead to pulsating tinnitus. If the tinnitus matches the pulse, the cause is most likely due to a condition which affects the blood flow to the ear. Vascular diseases such as an aneurysm or elevated blood pressure can result in pulsatile tinnitus, MayoClinic.com reports. Tumors in or near the auditory nerve or infections of the middle ear can also disrupt blood flow, leading to pulsating tinnitus. Pulsating tinnitus that does not match the pulse may be due to muscle spasms in the middle ear, World Articles in Ear, Nose and Throat notes.
Complications
If pulsating tinnitus is caused by an arterial problem such as an aneurysm, there is the risk that the aneurysm could rupture, resulting in massive hemorrhaging. If the tinnitus is caused by atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries, a stroke may result. Brain tumors which cause pulsating tinnitus may be cancerous or could cause neurological problems by compressing other structures within the brain. In addition, if left untreated, pulsating tinnitus can cause anxiety, problems with sleeping, memory problems, difficulty in concentrating, stress and fatigue, MayoClinic.com notes.
Diagnosis
Pulsating tinnitus can be accurately diagnosed by placing a stethoscope against the patient's neck or by placing a miniature microphone in the ear canal, which will allow a physician to hear the pulsating sound, the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders states. Imaging tests, such as a MRI, may be used to identify any tumors, vascular problems or anatomical abnormalities which could be causing the tinnitus. An angiogram may also be needed to better detect arterial problems near the ear.
Treatment
If possible, the underlying disorder causing the tinnitus should be treated, either using antihypertensive medications for the treatment of high blood pressure or surgery to remove an aneurysm or a tumor. Patients can also be fitted with small devices which generate white noise which can help mask the symptoms of tinnitus. In addition, some medications, such as the tricyclic antidepressants nortriptyline and amitriptyline, can be used to relieve the anxiety, stress and sleep problems associated with pulsating tinnitus.
