Hearing one’s own heartbeat in the ear can be a peculiar experience. This phenomenon is known as pulsatile tinnitus, a type of tinnitus where the sound is rhythmic and synchronous with the heartbeat. Unlike other forms of tinnitus, which often involve ringing or buzzing, pulsatile tinnitus is characterized by a “whooshing,” “thumping,” or “throbbing” noise that aligns with the pulse.
How the Sound Reaches Your Ear
Internal body sounds like a heartbeat are heard due to the close proximity of major blood vessels to the auditory system. The ear is located near significant arteries and veins, such as the carotid artery and jugular vein, which carry blood to and from the head. The vibrations from blood flowing through these vessels can be transmitted through the bone structure of the skull to the inner ear.
Normally, the brain effectively filters out these internal sounds, allowing us to focus on external noises. However, under certain circumstances, this natural filtering mechanism can be bypassed or overwhelmed. This can happen if the blood flow becomes turbulent, or if the ear’s sensitivity to internal sounds increases.
Everyday Reasons
Several common, temporary factors can make you more aware of your heartbeat in your ear. These situations often involve an increase in blood flow or a temporary blockage that amplifies internal sounds. For instance, after strenuous exercise, during periods of heightened emotion like stress or anxiety, or when experiencing a fever, blood flow throughout the body, including near the ears, increases. This increased blood flow can become more forceful and audible.
Certain body positions can also contribute to this perception; lying down in specific ways might affect blood flow to the head, making the heartbeat more noticeable. Temporary ear blockages, such as a buildup of earwax or fluid in the middle ear from a cold or allergies, can also lead to pulsatile tinnitus. These blockages reduce external sound input, making internal body sounds more prominent. Additionally, some medications can temporarily elevate blood pressure or heart rate, which may increase the audibility of blood flow.
Medical Explanations
While often benign, hearing your heartbeat in your ear can sometimes indicate an underlying medical condition. These conditions typically involve changes in blood flow dynamics or structural abnormalities near the ear. Vascular issues are common culprits, including atherosclerosis, a hardening and narrowing of arteries that can cause turbulent blood flow. High blood pressure (hypertension) can also increase the force of blood against vessel walls, making blood flow sounds more pronounced. Less commonly, specific vascular malformations like arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) or aneurysms near the ear can create abnormal blood flow patterns that produce pulsatile tinnitus.
Conditions that increase overall blood flow velocity, such as severe anemia or an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism), can also lead to this symptom. In some cases, increased pressure around the brain, known as benign intracranial hypertension, can cause pulsatile tinnitus. Any condition that impedes external sound from reaching the inner ear, such as conductive hearing loss, can make internal body sounds more prominent. Rarely, tumors located near the ear or major blood vessels, such as glomus tumors, can cause pulsatile tinnitus by pressing on vessels or having their own rich blood supply.
When to Consult a Doctor
Seek medical attention if hearing your heartbeat in your ear becomes a persistent concern. If the sound is constant or occurs frequently over a prolonged period, a medical evaluation can help determine the cause. This is especially true if the pulsatile tinnitus is only in one ear, as this can be a specific red flag.
Accompanying symptoms such as dizziness, hearing loss, headaches, changes in vision, or weakness also warrant a doctor’s visit. A sudden onset of pulsatile tinnitus without any obvious temporary cause should also prompt medical consultation. If the sound significantly interferes with daily life, affecting sleep or concentration, professional advice can help manage the condition and rule out serious underlying issues.