A common cold can temporarily lead to pulsatile tinnitus (PT), a condition where you hear a rhythmic sound synchronized with your heartbeat. Unlike the more common type of tinnitus, which is a continuous ringing or buzzing, PT is a whooshing or thumping noise. This synchronization points to a physical, often vascular, origin for the sound. This symptom typically resolves as the cold symptoms clear up, distinguishing it from more persistent forms of the condition.
Understanding Pulsatile Tinnitus
Pulsatile tinnitus (PT) is the perception of a sound that matches the rhythm of an individual’s cardiac pulse. People often describe the sound as a whooshing, throbbing, or thumping noise, essentially hearing one’s own blood flow. This direct correlation with the heartbeat is the defining characteristic that sets it apart from non-pulsatile tinnitus.
This type of tinnitus is often considered “objective,” meaning a physician may be able to hear the sound with a stethoscope placed near the ear or neck. The sound originates from changes in blood flow or increased awareness of normal blood flow in the vessels surrounding the ear. The cause of PT is typically an identifiable physiological phenomenon.
The Mechanism Linking Colds to Tinnitus
A common cold, or any upper respiratory infection, can trigger pulsatile tinnitus through two primary mechanisms: inflammation and conductive hearing loss. The infection causes inflammation and congestion in the mucosal linings of the head and neck, including the areas around the middle ear. This localized swelling can affect the blood vessels close to the auditory system.
The Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the back of the throat, becomes blocked due to congestion and fluid buildup. This blockage prevents proper air pressure equalization in the middle ear, causing temporary conductive hearing loss. External sounds that normally mask internal body noises are dampened, leading to a heightened awareness of internal circulation sounds.
Furthermore, the infection and any associated mild fever can cause a temporary increase in general blood flow, a state known as hyperdynamic circulation. When blood flows more quickly or with increased turbulence past the large arteries and veins near the ear, it generates a louder sound. This combination of increased auditory awareness due to a blocked ear and louder blood flow translates directly into the perception of a pulsing sound.
When Pulsatile Tinnitus Is Not Related to a Cold
While a cold is a common and usually benign trigger, PT that persists long after the infection has cleared suggests an alternative underlying cause. The key distinction is duration; cold-related PT should subside as nasal congestion and ear pressure resolve, typically within one to two weeks. If the rhythmic sound continues beyond this period, a medical evaluation is warranted.
Many non-infectious causes of PT involve changes to blood flow or blood vessel structure near the ear. Conditions like atherosclerosis, where fatty deposits narrow the arteries, can create audible turbulent blood flow. Other vascular issues, such as arteriovenous malformations or localized tumors that press on blood vessels, may also generate a pulsing sound.
Systemic conditions that increase the force of blood flow can also be responsible, including severe anemia or an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism). Another cause is Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH), a condition marked by elevated cerebrospinal fluid pressure around the brain. These causes require specific medical diagnosis and treatment, as they represent physical or systemic changes independent of a common cold.
Treatment and When to Consult a Physician
For PT directly linked to a cold, treatment focuses on supportive care aimed at relieving nasal and ear congestion. This management often includes using over-the-counter decongestants or nasal steroid sprays to reduce inflammation around the Eustachian tube opening. Nasal saline rinses can also help clear mucus and restore proper middle ear pressure equalization.
While recovering, some individuals find that using sound therapy, such as white noise or a fan, helps mask the pulsing sound, making it less bothersome, especially at night. Monitoring the symptom is important, as the need for a physician consultation depends on the persistence and associated symptoms of the tinnitus.
Several warning signs, known as “red flags,” indicate that immediate medical attention is necessary. These include PT experienced in only one ear, or if it is accompanied by neurological symptoms such as severe, sudden headache, dizziness, or changes in vision. If the rhythmic sound fails to improve 10 to 14 days after the cold resolves, a doctor should be consulted to investigate non-infectious causes.