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What Causes Strong Heartbeat Sensation In The Right Ear And Tinnitus?

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Posted on Thu, 4 Jan 2024
Question: I can hear a heartbeat like sound in my right ear when I bend down
Is it normal ?
Also I obsess a lot about tinnitus but this sound comes only in right ear that too when I bend
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
This is likely to be pulsatile/vascular tinnitus.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

1. If this tinnitus is synchronous with your heartbeat, this is likely to be pulsatile/vascular tinnitus.

2. This is the sound of turbulent blood flow.

3. This will usually have no active management, however, you can investigate further.

4. Get a PTA (Pure Tone Audiometry) and an Impedance Audiometry (Tympanometry) done.

A Neck vessel colour doppler study should be done. Blood pressure recordings, routine blood tests and a lipid profile should be done

5. Head and neck imaging is an option to rule out structural problems.

6. Upload these test results to discuss further treatment options.

I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (8 minutes later)
My hearing test is absolutely normal

If it is pulsating tinnitus then is there a treatment for this
I don't feel anything unless and until I bend
That too sometimes I get heartbeat type sound
Can this turn into permanent sound even without bending !!!!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (10 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Most tinnitus causes are harmless.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

1. If there is a build-up of fluid behind the eardrum, it can be treated.

2. If it is a vascular cause, treatment depends upon the type of vascular cause. Mostly there is no active treatment.

3. If it is a vascular cause in the neck, it is unlikely to become permanent tinnitus.

4. With your experience that the tinnitus increase on bending down, the blood vessels and pressures should be checked accordingly.

5. if all the investigations are normal, this tinnitus is harmless and only of nuisance value.

I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (1 hour later)
I woke up in the morning and I didn't feel any sound after bending
After having lunch I could hear it while bending
Can it mean something ?

I can feel it by bending at a particular position
Can it be due to blood flowing in vessels ?
What test can I get done

Can this pulsating tinnitus be a sign of acoustic neuroma Tumor also ?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (23 hours later)
Brief Answer:
The tests are mentioned in my previous answer.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

1. If the tinnitus occurs some times in a particular position, it signifies turbulent blood flow in a blood vessel.

2. The tests to be done are mentioned in points 4 and 5 of my first answer.

3. A unilateral (one sided) sensorineural hearing loss is usually the first sign of an acoustic neuroma (vestibular schwannoma). These are rare, benign tumours.

I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (1 hour later)
Can u tell me please the names of these tests ?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (20 hours later)
Brief Answer:
The tests are listed below:

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

1. PTA (Pure Tone Audiometry)

2. Impedance Audiometry (Tympanometry)

3. A Neck vessel colour doppler study.

4. Blood pressure recordings

5. Routine blood tests and a lipid profile.

6. MR Angiogram if necessary.

I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (26 hours later)
Thanks doctor
I've observed one more thing that
I get pulsating sound only if I bend on my back on my knees to pick something
Also I discovered that if I press right side of my neck when I bend I stop hearing the pulse !!
when I stop the pressing of neck again pulse comes back !!
Also when I stand back I don't hear any pulse
Does that mean it is done blood vessel going through my neck where the problem is
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (9 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Yes, the neck blood vessels must be checked.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

1. Yes, the turbulent flow of the blood is usually in the neck.

2. This is why a neck vessel colour doppler study has been advised.

3. The other tests will also help locate the source of this pulsatile/vascular tinnitus.

I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (23 hours later)
If I press my neck on right side the pulsating sound goes away
Also I have seen when I eat heavy food tinnitus becomes more prominent
I think it is some blood vessel going through neck that has turbulent blood flow during bending also my blood pressure is 140/100 after food
If it is due to some blood vessel in neck the. Is this pulsating tinnitus treatable or not ?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (10 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Get the investigations done.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

1. Yes, this is most likely to arise from turbulent blood flow in a blood vessel on the right side of the neck.

2. The increase in Tinnitus after heavy food will be due to transient vasodilatation of blood vessels and changes in blood sugars which is normal.

3. A blood pressure of 140/100 is on the borderline of the upper limit of the normal range. Get a physician's opinion on this.

4. Minor changes are not treatable. If your reports are normal, no treatment is necessary.

I hope that I have answered your query.

Regards,
Dr. Sumit Bhatti, ENT Specialist
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Sumit Bhatti

Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 2686 Questions

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What Causes Strong Heartbeat Sensation In The Right Ear And Tinnitus?

Brief Answer: This is likely to be pulsatile/vascular tinnitus. Detailed Answer: Hi, 1. If this tinnitus is synchronous with your heartbeat, this is likely to be pulsatile/vascular tinnitus. 2. This is the sound of turbulent blood flow. 3. This will usually have no active management, however, you can investigate further. 4. Get a PTA (Pure Tone Audiometry) and an Impedance Audiometry (Tympanometry) done. A Neck vessel colour doppler study should be done. Blood pressure recordings, routine blood tests and a lipid profile should be done 5. Head and neck imaging is an option to rule out structural problems. 6. Upload these test results to discuss further treatment options. I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them. Regards.