Pulsatile Tinnitus

Tinnitus is best described as unwanted noise like "ringing of bell" or "roaring" sound in the ear. The noise can be heard from one or both ears, they may be low, medium or high-pitched. While aging is one of the predisposing factors of tinnitus, it is also very common in all age group, especially for those who are exposed to loud noises. It is also a symptom that is usually seen in patients with Meniere's disease. There are actually two types of tinnitus, the non pulsatile and pulsatile tinnitus.

Pulsatile tinnitus is the type where the patient can hear his own heartbeat in their ears or head. It is like using a stethoscope to auscultate your own heartbeat or can be defined as a rhythmical noise with the same rate as your pulse rate/cardiac rate due to changes in the blood flow in the vessels inside the head or neck region.

Some people don't have the idea how hard it is to suffer from this condition, it isn't easy. A person who suffers from this condition will typically experience difficulty in sleeping, because it usually occurs during night time. Listening to music is encouraged to help them relax and sleep. Proper positioning can also be considered.

It is a life changing condition that will suddenly make you unable to do the things you normally do that will result to depression. Depression is very common for people who have this kind of problem, they seem to feel that they are alone and worthless that will lead them to suicide if not given attention. Make them feel that they are not alone. Remember that anti-depressants are contraindicated because tinnitus is one of the adverse reactions of this drug.

There are some diagnostic procedures to be done to find out if you have it or not such as CT-Scan, MRI, Angiography, and Ultrasound. Better consult with an ENT Specialist or Otolaryngologist (a physician who is an expert of ear disease) to examine your ear and obtain hearing tests to be able to know the most effective way in coping with it.

Unfortunately, there hasn't been any cure found to treat it, there are drugs that are already out in the market to only minimize or reduce the noise, and not to instantly stop it. The good news is that some scientists continue to search for the cure; sufferers may find comfort in knowing or hoping that someday pulsatile tinnitus can be treated.