Pulsating Head And Ears

Having that feeling and sensation of a sound inside your ears that goes by a beat or like that of a pulse? Such pulsating head and ears sensation is what is scientifically called ‘Pulsatile Tinnitus’. For starters, let us try to define first what tinnitus is. Tinnitus is an auditory nerve disorder that gives off a sound like that of a ringing, whooshing or thumping in your ear. The sounds that are produced can only be heard by you. There is no external sound happening, only internally. That is why most tinnitus sufferers notice such sounds late at night or when they are alone in secluded places where it is more likely to be silent.

Pulsatile Tinnitus is just one kind or type of tinnitus. There are many other kinds of auditory nerve disorder out there that are more focused or specified on which area of the body is affected. As for pulsatile tinnitus, it originates itself within the blood vessels. As you may have noticed from its name, the word ‘pulse’ can be derived from such. This is called as such because the sensation that you feel, which is a constant beat is the pulse itself.

Your body is filled with lots and lots of blood vessels and arteries, especially in the head or neck region. When a situation such as disturbed blood flow occurs, this is when pulsatile tinnitus usually happens. Such condition results from either increased blood flow or a narrowing of the opening of the blood vessel. If such happens, there is irregular blood flow through out the body. The blood flow to the neck and the head is also affected. This explains why you have that pulsating head and ears. It is because some very large blood vessels, like the carotid artery and the jugular vein are located very near and close to the inner ear. The noise or beat that emanates from the increased rush of blood flow is being conducted into the inner ear.

There are many causes of pulsatile tinnitus. One of the more common causes would be a condition called Benign Intercranial Hypertension or BIH. Inside our heads, our brain is being protected by cerebrospinal fluid. In this case, there is an increased pressure on the fluid that surrounds the brain.

Another common cause to pulsatile tinnitus would be hypertension or having a high blood pressure. During such state, an increase of blood flow in the body affects also most of the parts near our auditory nerve, thus giving out that sound of a beat or a ringing in your ears.

Such situations are somehow common and do not bring up the need for one to be alarmed. However, there are also rare cases that this can lead to a more serious and catastrophic problem like that of a stroke. To be in the safer side, it is better to get help from a licensed physician or a specialist in this kind of field. Many effective tinnitus treatments are out there and you can consult your specialist in choosing which one is better for you.