Hearing your heartbeat in your ears is typically a symptom called pulsatile tinnitus. This condition produces a rhythmic thumping, whooshing, or pulsing sound that is usually in sync with your heartbeat and often heard in one ear, though it can affect both. It results from turbulent blood flow in the blood vessels near the ear or changes in blood circulation close to the ear structures.
Causes of Pulsatile Tinnitus
- Turbulent blood flow due to vascular conditions like carotid artery disease, arterial narrowing, or malformations in the blood vessels.
- High blood pressure increasing the force and turbulence of blood flow.
- Blood vessel abnormalities including aneurysms or arteriovenous malformations.
- Middle ear infections, inflammation, or fluid buildup that amplify internal bodily sounds.
- Other health issues such as severe anemia, thyroid gland disorders, or head and neck tumors pressing on blood vessels near the ear.
When to See a Doctor
If the sensation persists, worsens, or is accompanied by symptoms like hearing loss, dizziness, headaches, or visual disturbances, it is important to seek medical evaluation to identify underlying causes and receive appropriate treatment. Some causes require medical or surgical intervention, while others might resolve on their own or with management of related conditions like high blood pressure.
In summary, hearing your heartbeat in your ears usually points to pulsatile tinnitus caused by blood flow abnormalities or related ear issues, and consulting a healthcare professional is recommended to assess and manage the symptom appropriately.