Hi Guys, I Want Your Advice about Pulsatile Tinnitus

[JustAName]

Hi guys,
I am 22 years old female.

My pulsatile tinnitus story starts with a rock concert on September 13th, 2013. I was in front of the loudspeakers unfortunately. Since then I have a pulsatile tinnitus which is compatible with my pulse.

I went to a ENT, he did a hearing test, there was a little noch on the test but when I went back to him again for control one week later the hearing test was all normal, he said. About the pulsating whooshing sound in my right ear he only said "it's nothing important, but if you really want to be sure we can get an MRI, but you really don't need it".

Before that concert I used to hear that pulsating sound in bed at night but once in a blue moon. I mean maybe 3 times in a whole year. But after that concert there's a constant whooshing pulsating sound in my right ear.

What do you guys think? Should I get an MRI?

 

[Markku]

Source: http://www.stritch.luc.edu/depts/otolaryn/research/neuroradiologic_assessment_pulsatile_tinnitus.pdf

It's possible nothing abnormal is found, but if I were you, I'd get the MRI.

 

[JustAName]

@Markku thank you for your reply. So MRI doesn't always give a proper answer.

 

[Karen]

Hi, JustAName,
I have pulsatile tinnitus, too, and I agree that it's a good idea to get an MRI, just to rule out anything that could be a serious health issue.

I had an open MRI, and it wasn't too bad; just a little bit noisy!

Just curious: Do you also have regular tinnitus (a ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound) in your right ear? I have both ringing and pulsating, and mine got worse, too, after taking an ototoxic drug.

It's possible that we have some sort of ear damage that has caused the pulsating to get worse.

I wish you well, and will be interested to hear what the results of your MRI are, if you decide to have one.

Take care,
Karen

 

[JustAName]

Hi, Karen.

Yes I guess I have a mild regular tinnitus also in my right ear but much quiter than pulsatile one. I don't even notice it. Just after the concert I could notice the regular one, couldn't notice the pulsatile one. I first discovered pulsating whooshing sound in my right ear in the hearing test room you know, because the room is very quiet. That whooshing even made it harder for me to hear the beep sounds of the tests.

Now the regular sound is very mild, but pulsating sound is noticable even daytime in quiet places.

I can agree with you about that, I wish we could figure out what kind of ear damage causes the sound.

Thank you for your kindness and interest. I'll let you guys know I hope.

Take care.

 

[Karen]

I certainly understand what you're going through right now. I've had a lot of trouble sleeping because of the pulsatile tinnitus. I've had it for over 3 years now, and a cause has not been found.

It's possible that yours will calm down in a few weeks or months. Mine has calmed down quite a bit from what it was like when it first began.

I hope yours does, too!

Best wishes,
Karen

 

[James]

I hope you get better. You hope you get better. I'd like to say, we all hope you get better. The human body does have an ability to bounce back. Having said that, your health decisions are very important. Work with the doc, parents, sleep. In my case I had to get the MRI. I don't know the severity of your Tinnitus, your ears, stress, nerves, and how much you're suffering. This can be a terrible thing. I remember seeing Led Zeppelin, my ears rang so loud after that concert. It was too loud. I'm far from being a doctor and not up on any of the latest treatments. I do hope you get better.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

"Unfortunate in front of the loudspeakers".
After reading that, I felt compelled to comment on live music.

I don't want to sound old, "Turn it Down". When I was younger, I liked loud music. Me now, Example: I went to a city Art and Wine festival. This is supposed to be a pleasant sunny day experience. At events like this, I've heard music so loud I could feel pain (Sound Pressure Level) in my ears as I walked by. And the band can't hear this because the spks. are out front. What a lack of consideration for the audience, it's ear piercing. It's not a Led Zeppelin concert. Thanks Markku for that article, I saved it and will read it.

 

[JustAName]

Thank you for your replies. I'm here to add a new symptom that I've just found.

I can hear my pulsatile whooshing sound with stethoscope. I listened it at home with my left ear, put the stethoscope on my right ear.

So now should I see a neurologist or first should I go to my ENT? Or which tests can I get?

 

[James]

My audiologist asked me if I could hear my heartbeat? I said yes,

My ENT placed the stethoscope behind my ear; I don't think he could hear it.
I can hear every heartbeat I have, thru my looping, pulsing, oscillating T.

Get back to the ENT; He should have tested you for that.
Have the Doc listen to the pulsing, go from there, any doctor. Follow up with the MRI.
I might think, this can be a serious thing. I hope you have medical insurance.

 

[Karen]

I agree with James. Start with your ENT, and see if he can hear the pulsating. If so, what you have is called "objective pulsatile tinnitus". Then, the doctor may send you for further testing, or refer you to a specialist. When the doctor hears the "bruit" (the whooshing sound), there may be a better chance they can find what's causing it.

Here's an excellent article from the British Tinnitus Association about pulsatile tinnitus: http://www.tinnitus.org.uk/pulsatile-tinnitus

Let me ask you some other questions. You mentioned that you were hearing the pulsating occasionally, before you went to the concert. Did you also have headaches or vision problems along with the pulsatile tinnitus? Have you recently lost or gained weight? There's a condition called "benign intracranial hypertension" that some people have, which may also cause pulsating tinnitus. I just thought I'd mention it. That doesn't mean you have it!

Please keep us posted on how you're doing, and what the doctor says. Take care!

 

[JustAName]

Thanks for all replies.

Yes I used to hear the pulsatile sound but only 2 or 3 times in whole year when I was in bed. I didn't realize any other symptoms. Tomorrow I hope I'm going to my ENT and talk to him about what we can do.

Take care.

 

[Karen]

Great! I'm glad you're going to the ENT tomorrow. Can you please update us on what he says?

Best wishes,
Karen

 

[Karen]

Hi, @JustAName ,

Did you ever go to the ENT? If so, did he have any suggestions for you? I hope you are doing better these days!

 

[JustAName]

Hey Karen,

Thank you for your interest. I had MRI with iv contrast but still didn't get the results. This week I will visit my ENT with results. I hope you are doing better, too!

Take care.

 

[Karen]

Hi, JustAName,

Good luck with the MRI results. I hope you get some specifics from him on what could be causing the PT.

Yes, I am doing better. Mine is still pulsating, but I am finding it easier to put it out of my mind most of the time, except at night.

I wish you well, and hope you find out some more information about the cause of yours.

 

[II Packy II]

I've never experienced anything pulsatile until now. I have an open ear drum at the moment, and I'm not sure if it's air pressure shifting in and out of my ear canal, but I'm pretty sure I am actually hearing my blood flow. I suppose that's due to the lack of amplification from my ear drum not having an ear tube in it.

 

[Karen]

Packy,

That could be what is going on. Can you tell if the blood flow you're hearing is in time with your heartbeat? I can actually hear mine, and time it to my pulse. You can check it by first measuring your pulse (I can measure mine on my blood pressure monitor), and then listening to your ear pulsation and counting the beats.

Anyway, I hope it is only temporary, and will go away for you soon.

 

[Tru]

Can anyone help me i think i have pustile tinnitus and im scared it goes away for a sec if i press on my neck . doc said he does not think its vascular problems cause he put the tethascope to my neck and by my ear and didn't hear anything and he said im too young . i have an appointment with an ent in jan

 

[Jamclem]

@Karen . Just a question about your PT because you said it might be similar to what I have in my right ear. Is your PT objective or subjective? Have you ever had a cerebral angiogram?

 

[Karen]

Hi, @Jamclem,

I have subjective PT. No, I have not had a cerebral angiogram.

My pulsatile tinnitus began after I took a blood pressure drug for the first time. I've been checked by various doctors and specialists, and had a CT scan, MRI/MRA, and Doppler of the carotid arteries. Nothing was found, and I am pretty sure that I don't have a dangerous tumor or any other obstruction. So, because of the fact that I'm now on Medicare, I've decided to try to live with it as best I can.

Are you considering having a cerebral angiogram?

 

[Jamclem]

@Karen

Morning, thanks for your reply. It is really interesting to know that your PT started because of medicine. Mine was because of an excessive amount of pushups over a few days :-D.. I read on a other post that some study showed that CT, MRA/MRI scans are good but some doctors prefer to go straight to cerebral angiogram because it is more conclusive (I suppose). I am now in the process of being transferred by my ENT doctor to a professor doctor at the university hospital here.

By the way what is medicare?