Experiencing a “whooshing” sound in your ears, often described as a rhythmic pulsing or thumping that syncs with your heartbeat, can be unsettling. This sensation, known as pulsatile tinnitus, often prompts questions about its origins, especially when stress or anxiety are present.
How Anxiety Influences Auditory Sensations
Anxiety can certainly contribute to the perception of whooshing in the ears through several physiological mechanisms. When anxiety activates the body’s “fight or flight” response, it increases blood pressure and heart rate. This heightened cardiovascular activity can cause blood to flow more forcefully through vessels. This makes the sound of blood circulation more noticeable, particularly in the head and neck region, where major arteries and veins are close to the auditory system.
Anxiety often manifests as increased muscle tension throughout the body, including in the jaw, neck, and shoulders. Tightness in these muscles can affect blood flow to the head and neck, or directly influence auditory pathways, potentially amplifying internal sounds. For example, neck muscle tension can constrict large blood vessels like the carotid artery, leading to turbulent blood flow audible as a whooshing or throbbing sound.
Anxiety can also heighten sensory perception, making individuals more attuned to their internal bodily functions. This increased awareness means that normal sounds of blood flow become more prominent and bothersome. This heightened focus can create a cycle where the perceived sound amplifies anxiety, which in turn makes the sound even more noticeable. Stress hormones, such as cortisol, can further affect ear sensitivity and contribute to this amplified perception.
Distinguishing Anxiety-Related Whooshing from Other Causes
While anxiety can influence the perception of whooshing sounds, pulsatile tinnitus can stem from various other medical conditions. These underlying causes are often related to changes in blood flow or structural issues near the ear, making proper diagnosis and treatment important.
Vascular conditions are frequent culprits. High blood pressure can cause blood to flow more turbulently through vessels near the ears, making the sound more pronounced. Atherosclerosis, a hardening and narrowing of the arteries due to plaque buildup, can also lead to uneven and louder blood flow. Abnormal connections between arteries and veins, known as arteriovenous malformations, can also create turbulent flow heard as pulsatile tinnitus.
Other potential causes include:
Ear conditions: Such as fluid in the middle ear or superior semicircular canal dehiscence syndrome, where a thinning or absence of bone over inner ear structures can make internal sounds more audible.
Systemic conditions: Like anemia, which increases blood flow due to the heart working harder, and an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism), which speeds up the heart rate.
Medications: Including high doses of aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and some antibiotics, which can have tinnitus as a side effect.
Benign intracranial hypertension: Characterized by increased fluid pressure around the brain, which may cause pulsatile tinnitus alongside headaches and vision changes.
Strategies for Managing Anxiety-Induced Auditory Sensations
Managing anxiety-induced whooshing sounds often involves addressing the underlying anxiety itself. General anxiety management techniques can significantly lessen the impact of these auditory perceptions.
General anxiety management techniques include:
Deep breathing exercises: These help calm the nervous system, reducing physiological responses like increased heart rate and blood pressure that can exacerbate the sounds.
Mindfulness and meditation: These practices can train the brain to observe sensations without judgment, potentially decreasing distress.
Regular physical activity: Such as walking or yoga, helps alleviate muscle tension and improves overall well-being, contributing to anxiety reduction.
Adequate sleep and limiting stimulants: Ensuring 7-9 hours of sleep and reducing caffeine and alcohol can help regulate body systems and reduce anxiety.
Beyond general anxiety management, specific techniques can directly address the auditory sensation. Sound therapy, which involves introducing external sounds to mask or distract from the whooshing, can be effective. This includes using white noise machines, playing soft music, or listening to nature sounds, especially in quiet environments like at bedtime. Some hearing aids also incorporate sound masking features to help desensitize the brain to tinnitus.
When to Consult a Healthcare Professional
While anxiety can play a role in perceiving whooshing sounds, consult a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis. A medical evaluation is recommended if the whooshing sound is persistent, worsens over time, or significantly interferes with daily life, such as sleep or concentration. This is particularly true if the sound is only in one ear, as it can indicate a specific ear-related problem.
Seeking medical attention is also advised if the whooshing sound is accompanied by other symptoms. These include dizziness, changes in hearing, headaches, vision problems, or new weakness or loss of sensation. These additional symptoms might suggest an underlying medical condition requiring specific treatment. Only a medical professional can accurately determine the cause of pulsatile tinnitus and recommend the most appropriate course of action.