Hear a whooshing or pulsing sound in your ear? Learn what causes this rhythmic noise, how it’s diagnosed, and the best medical and natural treatments for long-term relief.
What Is That Whooshing in Your Ear?
Are you hearing a rhythmic whooshing sound in one or both ears — like a heartbeat or the sound of rushing blood? This unusual but common symptom is often described as a “pulse in the ear” or “pulsatile tinnitus.”
Unlike typical tinnitus, which may sound like ringing, buzzing, or hissing, pulsatile tinnitus creates a pulsing, throbbing, or whooshing sound that typically matches your heartbeat.
This condition can be:
- Constant or intermittent
- More noticeable when lying down
- Heard in one or both ears
- Louder at night or in silence
While it can be unsettling, pulsatile tinnitus is usually a symptom of an underlying issue — often related to blood flow, pressure changes, or anatomical abnormalities. The good news? In many cases, it is treatable once the cause is identified.
🧬 Common Causes of Whooshing Sounds in the Ear
The pulsing sound you hear is often due to changes in blood flow near your ears or abnormal pressure in your inner ear or head. Some of the most common causes include:
🔹 1. Increased Blood Flow (Hyperemia)
Certain conditions increase blood volume or speed, such as:
- Exercise or fever
- Pregnancy
- Anemia
- Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
This increased flow near the inner ear can create audible whooshing.
🔹 2. High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
Elevated blood pressure can cause more forceful blood flow through arteries near the ear, producing a pulsing sound that matches your heartbeat.
🔹 3. Atherosclerosis (Narrowed Arteries)
Hardening or narrowing of arteries near the ear, particularly the carotid artery, causes turbulent blood flow — which can be heard as pulsatile tinnitus.
🔹 4. Venous Hum
Some people experience a sound from turbulent blood flow in the jugular vein, especially when the head is turned a certain way.
🔹 5. Middle Ear Effusion or Fluid
Fluid buildup from a cold, sinus infection, or Eustachian tube dysfunction can amplify internal body sounds, including pulse or blood flow.
🔹 6. Vascular Tumors (Rare)
Benign tumors like glomus tumors or paragangliomas near the middle ear can increase local blood flow and cause pulsatile tinnitus.
🔹 7. Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH)
Also called pseudotumor cerebri, this condition involves increased pressure around the brain, often seen in overweight women under 50. It can cause pulsatile tinnitus, headaches, and vision changes.
🔹 8. Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs)
Abnormal connections between arteries and veins near the ear or brain can produce turbulent blood flow and audible whooshing.
📋 Symptoms That May Accompany the Whooshing Sound
You might experience additional symptoms depending on the cause:
- Headache
- Ear fullness or pressure
- Dizziness or balance problems
- Visual disturbances (especially with IIH)
- Neck pain or tightness
- Hearing loss in one ear
If the sound is one-sided, persistent, or affecting your quality of life, it’s important to seek a medical evaluation.
🩺 Diagnosis: How Doctors Identify Pulsatile Tinnitus
Proper diagnosis is key to finding a solution. Your doctor (usually an ENT or neurologist) may recommend:
🧪 Clinical Evaluation
- Listening to your neck or skull with a stethoscope (objective tinnitus may be audible to others)
- Head and neck exam
- Blood pressure and blood tests
🧲 Imaging Tests
- MRI or MRA (Magnetic Resonance Angiography) to view blood vessels
- CT Scan to check for bone, sinus, or tumor abnormalities
- Ultrasound (Carotid Doppler) to assess artery flow
- Lumbar Puncture if IIH is suspected
💊 Medical Treatments for Pulsatile Tinnitus
Treatment depends entirely on the underlying cause. Options may include:
🔹 1. Manage Blood Pressure
Controlling high blood pressure with medication, exercise, and diet can reduce blood flow noise.
🔹 2. Treat Infections or Fluid Buildup
If Eustachian tube dysfunction or middle ear effusion is the cause:
- Decongestants
- Nasal corticosteroids
- Antibiotics (if infection is present)
🔹 3. Surgery for Vascular Conditions
If a vascular malformation, glomus tumor, or AVM is detected, surgery, embolization, or radiation therapy may be recommended.
🔹 4. Weight Loss & Diuretics
For IIH-related tinnitus, weight loss and diuretic medications (like acetazolamide) can reduce intracranial pressure and relieve symptoms.
🌿 Natural Remedies & Lifestyle Tips for Whooshing Ear Sound
If your whooshing sound is benign or mild, these tips can bring relief:
🧘 1. Relaxation & Stress Reduction
Stress and anxiety can heighten tinnitus perception. Practice:
- Deep breathing
- Meditation or yoga
- Sound therapy or white noise
🍽️ 2. Diet & Supplements
Support vascular and inner ear health with:
- Omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, flaxseed)
- Magnesium (leafy greens, almonds)
- Ginkgo biloba (may improve circulation)
Avoid:
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Salt (can worsen fluid retention and pressure)
🧂 3. Try Nasal Irrigation
Using a neti pot or saline spray can relieve sinus pressure and help drain fluid from the middle ear.
🎧 4. Use a Sound Masking Device
White noise machines or tinnitus relief apps can help drown out the whooshing, especially at night.
🔄 When to See a Doctor
You should immediately consult a healthcare professional if:
- The sound is sudden or one-sided
- You also have hearing loss, headaches, or visual changes
- The pulsatile sound is synchronous with your heartbeat
- The whooshing is persistent or worsening
These could signal a serious vascular or neurological issue.
🛒 Recommended Support Product (Optional)
Consider highlighting a product such as herbal ear drops, sound therapy apps, or supplements for vascular health.
🌿 NeuroCalm™ Pulsatile Tinnitus Drops
Formulated with:
- Ginkgo biloba
- Skullcap
- Mullein oil
- Magnesium-rich extract
Supports:
- Blood flow regulation
- Auditory nerve health
- Inner ear inflammation reduction
✅ Final Thoughts: You Can Find Relief from the Whooshing
The rhythmic whooshing in your ear isn’t “in your head”—it’s a real and treatable condition. From blood pressure and sinus issues to vascular abnormalities, identifying the root cause of pulsatile tinnitus is the first step to reclaiming peace and quiet.
With today’s diagnostic tools and both natural and medical treatments available, many people recover or manage symptoms effectively.
🔁 Quick Recap:
- A whooshing sound in the ear often signals pulsatile tinnitus
- Common causes: blood pressure, fluid buildup, vascular issues
- Diagnosed via MRI, CT, ultrasound, or hearing tests
- Treatments include blood pressure meds, surgery, or stress reduction
- Natural options: Ginkgo, magnesium, nasal rinses, and sound masking
