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Suggest Treatment For Pulsatile Tinnitus

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Posted on Thu, 8 Jun 2017
Question: Hi. I have a pulsing sound going on in my ear - it's not painful, but annoying. Just wondering what it is
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Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (44 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
pulsatile tinnitus

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

It sounds as though you may have tinnitus. Tinnitus is the presence of abnormal noises in the ear.
Pulsatile tinnitus refers to abnormal pulsing sounds.

Pulsatile tinnitus can be due to changes in the blood flow in the neck or head. There are different potential causes and if it continues, it would be best to be seen by your doctor to find the cause.

In rare cases, there may be a serious cause such as a mass (glomus tumor), this is rare.
Other causes include: (1) presence of plaques in the blood vessels in the neck
- atherosclerosis
(2)abnormal structure of the blood vessels such as aneurysm or an abnormal shape or twist
(3)high blood pressure
(4)anemia (low blood count) and thyroid disease, because they cause increase blood flow (blood flows more in anemia to make up for the low count)
(5)BIH- benign intracranial hypertension - this is benign (not cancerous) increase of pressure in the brain
(6)fluid in the middle ear

It would be best to see your doctor assessment, it is most likely to due to a benign/not dangerous cause but other causes need to be ruled out

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
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
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Pulsatile Tinnitus

Brief Answer: pulsatile tinnitus Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic It sounds as though you may have tinnitus. Tinnitus is the presence of abnormal noises in the ear. Pulsatile tinnitus refers to abnormal pulsing sounds. Pulsatile tinnitus can be due to changes in the blood flow in the neck or head. There are different potential causes and if it continues, it would be best to be seen by your doctor to find the cause. In rare cases, there may be a serious cause such as a mass (glomus tumor), this is rare. Other causes include: (1) presence of plaques in the blood vessels in the neck - atherosclerosis (2)abnormal structure of the blood vessels such as aneurysm or an abnormal shape or twist (3)high blood pressure (4)anemia (low blood count) and thyroid disease, because they cause increase blood flow (blood flows more in anemia to make up for the low count) (5)BIH- benign intracranial hypertension - this is benign (not cancerous) increase of pressure in the brain (6)fluid in the middle ear It would be best to see your doctor assessment, it is most likely to due to a benign/not dangerous cause but other causes need to be ruled out I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions