You might be hearing your heartbeat due to a condition called pulsatile tinnitus, increased awareness of your body, or certain underlying health issues.
Hearing your heartbeat in your ear, known as pulsatile tinnitus, can be caused by a variety of factors. While occasional awareness of your heartbeat is usually normal, persistent or bothersome pulsatile tinnitus warrants investigation.
Here's a breakdown of potential causes:
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Pulsatile Tinnitus: This is the most common reason for hearing your heartbeat. It's characterized by a rhythmic pulsing or whooshing sound in one or both ears, often synchronized with your heartbeat.
- Causes of Pulsatile Tinnitus:
- Changes in blood flow: Increased blood flow near the ear, perhaps due to exercise, pregnancy, or hyperthyroidism, can make your pulse more noticeable.
- Vascular issues: Conditions like high blood pressure, atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries), arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), or carotid artery stenosis can disrupt blood flow and create audible sounds.
- Tumors: Rarely, tumors near blood vessels in the head or neck can cause pulsatile tinnitus.
- Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH): This condition involves increased pressure around the brain, which can affect blood flow and lead to pulsatile tinnitus.
- Causes of Pulsatile Tinnitus:
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Increased Awareness of Body Sounds: Sometimes, you might simply be more attuned to the sounds within your body, particularly in quiet environments or when lying down. This heightened awareness isn't always indicative of a problem.
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Middle Ear Problems: Fluid in the middle ear or other ear problems can sometimes amplify internal sounds, including your heartbeat.
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High Blood Pressure: Elevated blood pressure can sometimes make your heartbeat more noticeable, particularly if you're lying down.
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Anemia: In rare cases, anemia (low red blood cell count) can increase blood flow and cause pulsatile tinnitus.
When to Seek Medical Attention:
If you consistently hear your heartbeat in your ear, especially if it's accompanied by other symptoms like dizziness, hearing loss, headache, or visual changes, it's essential to consult a doctor. They can perform a physical exam and order tests to determine the underlying cause and recommend appropriate treatment. Potential tests include:
- Hearing test (audiogram)
- Blood pressure measurement
- Imaging scans (MRI, CT scan, ultrasound)
- Blood tests
