The perception of a sound like wind blowing, whooshing, or humming inside the ear is a specific form of tinnitus. Tinnitus is the experience of hearing a sound when no external source is present. This phantom noise varies widely in pitch and volume, but the “blowing” or “whooshing” sensation often suggests an underlying physical mechanism. Tinnitus can be caused by issues ranging from minor, temporary problems to complex conditions involving the circulatory system. Determining if the sound is rhythmic or constant provides the first clues toward finding the source.
Non-Vascular Causes: Airflow and Obstruction
Common causes of whooshing sounds relate to a physical blockage or a failure in the system that regulates pressure within the ear. The ear canal, middle ear, and inner ear are delicate structures sensitive to mechanical changes. When sound waves or internal pressure cannot move correctly, the resulting distortion is perceived as the sound of air or wind.
A frequent cause involves earwax impaction, where a dense buildup of cerumen blocks the outer ear canal. This blockage creates a pressure differential and changes how external sounds are transmitted to the eardrum, sometimes resulting in a low-frequency hum or whooshing noise. This buildup muffles outside noise while amplifying sounds naturally occurring within the head.
Pressure regulation issues are often linked to Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD), which occurs when the tube connecting the middle ear to the back of the throat does not open or close properly. The Eustachian tube equalizes pressure, and when blocked—often due to allergies, colds, or sinus congestion—the negative pressure can produce popping, clicking, or whooshing sounds. Fluid accumulation in the middle ear, known as otitis media with effusion, can also impair the movement of the tiny bones responsible for hearing. This fluid acts as a dampener, creating a feeling of fullness and a muffled sound distortion that may resemble the sound of wind.
Vascular Causes: Turbulent Blood Flow
When the sound in the ear is described as rhythmic, pulsing, or synchronous with the heartbeat, it is known as pulsatile tinnitus, and the cause is often vascular. This sound is generated by the flow of blood through vessels located near the inner ear structures. Normally, blood flow is silent, but any irregularity or change in flow can create audible turbulence.
A common mechanism involves hypertension, or high blood pressure, which increases the force of blood pumped through the arteries. This elevated pressure causes a faster, more forceful flow, making the sound of the blood more noticeable to the auditory system. Because major vessels like the carotid artery and jugular vein are close to the ear, any amplification of this internal sound is readily perceived as a whooshing or throbbing noise.
Narrowing of arteries, known as atherosclerosis, is another common cause, particularly when plaque builds up in the carotid arteries in the neck. Plaque creates a constriction, forcing blood to rush through a tighter channel, which generates turbulence, similar to water rushing through a narrow pipe. This abnormal flow pattern creates the distinct pulsatile whooshing sound.
A less common but serious cause is Benign Intracranial Hypertension (BIH), which involves elevated pressure within the skull. This increased pressure is thought to affect the venous structures that drain blood from the brain, causing a pulsatile sound. The elevated pressure may put strain on the structures surrounding the inner ear, resulting in the rhythmic whooshing noise.
The Diagnostic Process and Next Steps
Hearing a persistent whooshing or blowing sound necessitates a medical evaluation to identify the source, particularly if the sound is rhythmic or only in one ear. While many cases are benign, the symptom can be the first sign of a condition requiring management. Medical attention is recommended if the sound is accompanied by symptoms like dizziness, sudden hearing loss, or neurological changes.
The evaluation typically begins with a primary care physician who may refer the patient to an Otolaryngologist (ENT specialist) or an audiologist. Initial steps involve a detailed physical examination, including an otoscopic check of the ear canal and eardrum. Sometimes, auscultation is performed, where the doctor listens with a stethoscope over the neck and ear to determine if the noise is audible to them (objective tinnitus).
A comprehensive audiogram is usually performed to check for associated hearing loss, which can amplify the perception of internal body sounds. If a vascular cause is suspected, blood pressure will be checked, and the physician may order specialized imaging studies to visualize the blood vessels and surrounding structures. These tests can include Computed Tomography (CT) angiography or Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) to look for vessel narrowing, blockages, or structural issues in the head and neck. Identifying the cause is the first step toward relief, as treatment is directed at resolving the underlying issue, such as removing earwax, managing blood pressure, or addressing a vascular abnormality.