Hearing your own heartbeat in your ear, known as pulsatile tinnitus or autophony, is the perception of your heart’s rhythm. It’s a rhythmic sound, often described as a whooshing, thumping, or throbbing noise, that aligns with your pulse. While often harmless, it can sometimes signal an underlying condition.
The Mechanics of Hearing Your Heartbeat
The ability to hear one’s own heartbeat originates from the intricate anatomy of the ear and the dynamics of blood flow. Sound travels through the ear canal to the eardrum, then via tiny middle ear bones to the inner ear, where it’s converted into signals for the brain.
Blood vessels, including arteries and veins, are located close to the ear structure, particularly in the neck and at the base of the skull. Normally, the sound of blood flowing through these vessels is not perceived due to its smooth flow and the body’s natural filtering. However, if blood flow becomes turbulent, or if the ear’s ability to filter internal sounds is compromised, these vibrations can become audible. This internal sound is heard as a rhythmic whooshing or thumping, synchronized with the heart’s contractions.
Common, Benign Causes
Many instances of hearing your heartbeat are harmless and stem from common factors. Being in a quiet environment, especially at night, can make internal body sounds, including the heartbeat, more noticeable as there are fewer external noises to mask them. Increased physical activity elevates heart rate and blood flow, which can temporarily intensify the sound of blood moving through vessels near the ear.
Stress and anxiety can also contribute by increasing heart rate and blood pressure, making blood flow more turbulent and therefore more audible. Caffeine, a stimulant, can temporarily raise blood pressure and heart rate, leading to a more noticeable heartbeat sound.
Earwax buildup can obstruct the ear canal, affecting how external sounds are perceived and potentially amplifying internal body sounds. This blockage can create a sensation of fullness and amplify internal body sounds. Temporary changes in blood pressure, such as those experienced during dehydration or mild illness, can also lead to a temporary increase in the audibility of blood flow.
Medical Conditions to Be Aware Of
Hearing your heartbeat can sometimes signal underlying medical conditions. High blood pressure (hypertension) causes blood to flow more forcefully and turbulently, making the pulsatile sound more pronounced. Anemia, characterized by a reduced number of healthy red blood cells, leads to increased blood flow as the heart works harder to deliver oxygen, resulting in a distinct whooshing sound. Thyroid disorders, such as hyperthyroidism, speed up metabolism and heart rate, increasing blood flow and potentially causing pulsatile tinnitus.
Certain ear conditions, like fluid in the middle ear or otosclerosis (abnormal bone growth), can also make internal sounds more apparent. Vascular issues, such as atherosclerosis (hardening of arteries) or arteriovenous malformations, create turbulent blood flow perceived as a pulsing sound. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension, elevated pressure around the brain, can also lead to pulsatile tinnitus due to altered brain blood flow. Consult a healthcare provider if the sensation is persistent, accompanied by other symptoms like dizziness or vision problems, or significantly impacts daily life.
Coping Strategies
If hearing your heartbeat becomes bothersome, several strategies can help. Reducing stress through techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga can reduce the intensity of internal sounds. Ensuring adequate hydration supports healthy blood circulation.
Using white noise or background sound, such as a fan, soft music, or a sound machine, can mask the heartbeat sound, especially in quiet environments. Improving sleep hygiene, by maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and creating a conducive sleep environment, can reduce the prominence of internal noises. Limiting stimulants like caffeine and nicotine, which can increase heart rate and blood pressure, may also lessen the audibility of the heartbeat. Ultimately, if an underlying medical cause is identified, addressing that condition is the primary approach to resolving the pulsatile tinnitus.