Heartbeat In The Ear Anxiety

Heartbeat in the ear anxiety (pulsatile tinnitus anxiety) is more common than you think. I’ll discuss the causes symptoms and treatments for this anxiety further in the post. As a matter of fact, pulsatile tinnitus is a type of tinnitus that occurs in rhythm with the heartbeat, and may seem like a whooshing or thumping sound in the ear. Furthermore, it is usually caused by changes in blood flow in the vessels close to the ear or an increase in blood flow in the body.

Be that as it may, I often wonder if I have this because I get that whooshing sound in my ears. I’ve never been officially diagnosed with it, but I wonder. Even more, the pulsatile tinnitus symptoms usually peaks when my anxiety is high. Anxiety and pulsatile tinnitus have some similar symptoms such as dizziness, difficulty breathing and difficulty sleeping. I can attest to the difficulty sleeping. But, like I said, I haven’t been officially diagnosed. Just a hunch.

“When we get to the end of the story, you will know more than you do now…” – Hans Christian Andersen, The Snow Queen

Pulsatile Tinnitus Caused By Anxiety

Equally important, pulsatile tinnitus (heartbeat in the ear anxiety) can have a range of causes. Doctors can identify the cause of pulsatile tinnitus in up to 70% of people with the condition. Nonetheless, there is a link between mental health and pulsatile tinnitus, but it is unclear whether anxiety causes the condition. Almost 60% of people with pulsatile tinnitus have depression or anxiety.

In addition, a 2018 study found that 65% of the 180 people with tinnitus evaluated also experience stress symptoms. However, stress is different from anxiety, and does not necessarily indicate an anxiety disorder.

In any case, anxiety causes symptoms that can increase someone’s heart rate, and pulsatile tinnitus can cause symptoms that relate to the heart’s rhythm. Therefore, a higher heart rate could intensify the symptoms of someone with pulsatile tinnitus. Important to realize, there is a link between anxiety and high blood pressure, and high blood pressure may cause pulsatile tinnitus.

Overall, the condition is typically the result of an underlying condition causing changes in someone’s blood flow. Given that, a higher heart rate can cause blood to flow faster past the ears, potentially leading to pulsatile tinnitus symptoms.

Some possible causes of pulsatile tinnitus include:

atherosclerosis
ear abnormalities, such as thinning or missing parts of the ear canal
blood vessel disorders
high blood pressure
head and neck tumors
sinus abnormalities
anemia
head trauma
hyperthyroidism
Paget’s disease

Therefore, you may have pulsatile tinnitus if you’re experiencing ringing, beating, or whooshing sounds in your ear. Not only can this condition be annoying, but it also has connections to your mental health. For this reason, pulsatile tinnitus could be the source of anxiety.

“It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.” — Aristotle

Heartbeat In Ear Anxiety Symptoms

In brief, some common signs of pulsatile tinnitus, according to 2017 research include:

regularly hearing a steady beat or whooshing sound in one or both of your ears
auditory perceptions that only you can hear
synchronous heartbeat with the sound you’re hearing
increases in your heart rate make the sound faster
decreases in your heart rate make the sound slower
dizziness
anxiety
depression
distress
difficulty sleeping
hearing loss

“You do not find the happy life. You make it.” — Camilla Eyring Kimball

Pulsatile Tinnitus Anxiety Treatment

In addition, there are several treatments for heartbeat in the ear anxiety. In some cases, sound therapy may help to suppress the thumping or whooshing sound caused by pulsatile tinnitus.

Once you get the whooshing in the ear dilled down, I bet some of your anxiety will disappear.

Your doctor may recommend using a noise-suppressing device, such as a white noise machine or a wearable sound generator. The sound of an air conditioner or fan may also help, particularly at bedtime. Also, some lifestyle and behavioral modifications can help alleviate the symptoms of pulsatile tinnitus as well.

Moreover, the following therapies may be beneficial for some patients with pulsatile tinnitus:

Cognitive behavioral therapy
Meditation
Relaxation techniques
Tinnitus retraining therapy

In general, the following imaging procedures may also be used to diagnose pulsatile tinnitus:

Angiography
Computerized tomographic angiography (CTA)
Computerized tomography (CT) scan
Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Temporal bone CT scan
Ultrasound
Blood tests and thyroid function test may also be needed to rule out anemia or thyroid problems.

“The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.” – Marcus Aurelius

Pulsatile Tinnitus Anxiety Reddit

In particular, on Reddit, you may find some personal anecdotes from individuals who have experienced pulsatile tinnitus and anxiety, but it is important to note that anecdotes do not necessarily reflect medical recommendations or scientific evidence.

In short, it is true that anxiety can worsen the symptoms of heartbeat in the ear anxiety, as anxiety can cause increased muscle tension in the neck and head which can exacerbate the pressure on blood vessels and lead to increased turbulence in the blood flow. However, it is also important to rule out any underlying medical conditions that can contribute to pulsatile tinnitus, such as high blood pressure, anemia, or vascular tumors, among others.

“Keep your face always toward the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you.” – Walt Whitman

Conclusion

Therefore, if the heartbeat in ear anxiety becomes too much for you, please consult your doctor (before you go bonkers). It’s an annoying sound that is just going to make the anxiety worse. Also, I should follow what I preach. Right? Although, the pulsatile tinnitus stress anxiety isn’t that bad. Right now, I can live with it.

Even so, if it gets any worse, I will go. I see enough doctors now that I can’t really afford. Anyway, if you’ve told your family or friends and they’re telling you to go, listen to them. Your sanity will thank you.

Well, I’m heading out the door, so I bid you a farewell. Stay sane, until next time…