Hearing one’s own heartbeat when experiencing clogged ears is a recognized phenomenon, often a form of pulsatile tinnitus. This sensation, while unsettling, typically indicates a temporary change in how sound travels within the ear.
The Link Between Clogged Ears and Hearing Your Heartbeat
Under normal circumstances, the ear captures external sound waves and transmits them to the brain. Sound waves enter the ear canal, causing the eardrum to vibrate. These vibrations travel through three tiny bones in the middle ear, reaching the inner ear where they convert into electrical signals sent to the brain. This process usually filters out most internal body sounds, such as blood flow.
When the ear becomes clogged, either in the ear canal or middle ear, its acoustic properties change significantly. A blockage creates a sealed environment, similar to a resonating chamber, between the obstruction and the eardrum. This amplifies sounds, including vibrations from blood flowing through nearby vessels, that are normally inaudible.
Amplification occurs because the ear’s usual mechanism for dissipating internal vibrations is disrupted. Internal body sounds, like the rhythmic flow of blood, become more prominent. This effect is sometimes referred to as the occlusion effect. The perception of this rhythmic sound, synchronized with one’s heartbeat, is known as pulsatile tinnitus. Unlike other forms of tinnitus, pulsatile tinnitus often has an identifiable physical source related to blood circulation.
Why Ears Get Clogged
Excessive earwax buildup is a common reason for a clogged feeling. Earwax (cerumen) naturally protects the ear canal by trapping dust and debris. However, if the ear produces too much wax, or if it hardens, it can create a blockage. Using cotton swabs or other objects to clean the ear can inadvertently push wax deeper, leading to impaction.
Fluid accumulation in the middle ear (middle ear effusion) can also cause a clogged sensation. This often occurs after a cold, allergies, or an ear infection (otitis media). When fluid builds up behind the eardrum, it can muffle external sounds and make internal sounds more noticeable.
Eustachian tube dysfunction is another frequent cause of ear clogging. These tubes connect the middle ear to the back of the throat, equalizing air pressure and draining fluid. If blocked by swelling from colds, allergies, or sinus infections, pressure cannot equalize, leading to a feeling of fullness and muffled hearing.
Less common causes of a clogged ear include a foreign object lodged in the ear canal, which can cause pain, irritation, or hearing loss. Swelling from inflammation or benign growths can also contribute to a blocked sensation.
When to Seek Help and What Can Be Done
While hearing your heartbeat in your ear is often a benign symptom of temporary ear clogging, medical attention is sometimes advisable. Consult a healthcare provider if the sensation is accompanied by pain, dizziness, ear discharge, fever, or sudden hearing loss. Persistent symptoms not improving with home remedies, or sound only in one ear, also warrant evaluation to rule out underlying conditions.
A doctor will likely begin with a physical examination of the ear and inquire about other symptoms. This assessment helps determine the specific cause of the ear blockage. Depending on the suspected reason, further tests, such as hearing evaluations or imaging, may be performed.
For mild cases, home care strategies can provide relief. Over-the-counter ear drops containing mineral oil, baby oil, or hydrogen peroxide can soften earwax, allowing it to exit naturally. Steam inhalation from a hot shower or warm water can loosen mucus related to Eustachian tube congestion. Gently “popping” the ears by yawning, swallowing, or performing the Valsalva maneuver (gently blowing air out while pinching the nose and keeping the mouth closed) can equalize pressure.
When home remedies are insufficient, medical interventions may be necessary. A healthcare professional can safely remove impacted earwax using specialized tools or irrigation. If middle ear fluid is due to an infection, antibiotics may be prescribed. Nasal sprays or decongestants can reduce swelling and open Eustachian tubes if allergies or congestion are the cause. For persistent fluid or recurrent issues, a small procedure to insert ear tubes may be considered, particularly in children.