Overview
- Pulsatile tinnitus is an uncommon rhythmic whooshing in the ear that often keeps pace with the heartbeat and can range from mildly irritating to debilitating.
- Dr Ahmed urges anyone hearing a pulse-linked noise that others cannot to seek medical assessment for a clinical exam, hearing tests, and targeted investigations.
- Associated factors include high blood pressure, pregnancy, anaemia, overactive thyroid, atherosclerosis, heart disease, venous sinus stenosis, dural arteriovenous fistula, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, and local tumours.
- Most tumours tied to the condition are benign, with management aimed at the underlying cause plus symptom relief through white noise, sound generators, or tinnitus retraining therapy.
- Doctors advise urgent attention if the sound occurs with severe headache, vision changes, dizziness or balance problems, hearing loss, or neurological symptoms.