Pulsatile Tinnitus
Pulsatile Tinnitus Treatment in Thousand Oaks, CA | VNSC
Pulsatile tinnitus is a symptom that affects 3 to 5 million Americans. It can create the sensation of a rhythmic noise like a heartbeat—whooshing or thumping—with no external source. For many patients, the sounds can be constant and escalate from troubling to entirely debilitating. While pulsatile tinnitus can be a benign symptom that resolves on its own, it can also be a sign of a potentially serious underlying medical condition. As such, it’s important to seek medical advice from an experienced provider.
Led by quintuple-board-certified neurointerventionalist Dr. M. Asif Taqi, our experts at Vascular Neurology of Southern California have advanced diagnostic procedures and innovative technologies to safely and effectively diagnose and treat the underlying causes of pulsatile tinnitus to ensure your quality of life and overall health and wellness.
Contact us online or call us at (805) 242-4884 to schedule your pulsatile tinnitus consultation. Our six practices proudly serve patients in Thousand Oaks, West Lake, Woodland Hills, Ventura, Camarillo, Calabasas, and other areas throughout Southern California and Las Vegas, NV.
What Is Pulsatile Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a medical symptom that can cause people to hear constant noise, often described as ringing or buzzing. Pulsatile tinnitus is a rare form of tinnitus that creates a rhythmic sound, often in sync with the patient’s heartbeat, that is constant or that can come and go.
Typically, the noise experienced by those with pulsatile tinnitus is described as a whooshing or rhythmic thumping or throbbing. The sounds can range from simply annoying to incapacitating or debilitating, affecting a patient’s ability to concentrate or even sleep.
Pulsatile tinnitus can be a benign condition that goes away on its own. However, pulsatile tinnitus often has an identifiable source and may be a sign of a potentially dangerous health condition. As such, patients experiencing pulsatile tinnitus symptoms should seek a medical evaluation from their provider.
Often, pulsatile tinnitus can be successfully alleviated after the underlying cause is identified and treated.
Causes of Pulsatile Tinnitus
There are many underlying health conditions that may cause pulsatile tinnitus.
A buildup of plaque that narrows the arteries, limiting blood flow to the body, including the ears, head, or neck.
Abnormalities or disorders in the blood vessels or arteries, especially near the ears, can cause changes to blood flow.
Abnormalities that cause thinning or missing bone near the main arteries or veins near the ear can cause symptoms of pulsatile tinnitus.
High blood pressure may affect blood flow through the carotid artery, making it more likely to create pulsating sounds.
Glomus tumors are benign yet invasive tumors that are common in the jugular vein, positioned below the middle ear. These tumors potentially grow into the middle ear and brain and cause pressure in the blood vessels, creating pulsatile tinnitus symptoms.
Elevated levels of cerebrospinal fluid can increase pressure around the brain, causing symptoms like headaches, vision changes, and pulsatile tinnitus.
The sinus wall is a channel on the side of the brain that receives blood within the brain. Conditions that cause an increase in blood flow to this area can cause noise in the channel, creating pulsatile tinnitus symptoms.
Other conditions that may cause symptoms of pulsatile tinnitus include:
- Anemia
- Conductive hearing loss
- Head trauma
- Hyperthyroidism
- Paget’s disease of bone
Who Is Most Likely to Develop Pulsatile Tinnitus?
Pulsatile tinnitus affects 3 to 5 million Americans. However, with many potential underlying causes of pulsatile tinnitus, it is essential to have a physician or specialist evaluation when experiencing symptoms to rule out potentially dangerous medical conditions.
Pulsatile tinnitus may be caused by different factors for each patient. However, living a healthy lifestyle, including following a healthy diet and exercise routine, losing weight, or smoking cessation, may help prevent pulsatile tinnitus from beginning. It’s important to see your doctor regularly to ensure you receive treatment for concerns like high blood pressure, anemia, or hyperthyroidism.
While the source of pulsatile tinnitus is unknown in many patients, it is essential to rule out any serious causes. The experts at Vascular Neurology of Southern California have streamlined a comprehensive evaluation program to determine the cause and appropriate treatment for many conditions causing pulsatile tinnitus symptoms.
A pulsatile tinnitus symptom diagnosis may begin with a detailed medical history and a thorough exam of the head, neck, and eyes for signs of increased pressure in the brain.
Imaging tests may also be utilized in diagnosing the cause of pulsatile tinnitus, including:
- Angiography
- Computerized Tomographic Angiography (CTA)
- Computerized Tomography Scan (CT)
- Temporal bone CT scan
- Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA)
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Ultrasound
- Blood or thyroid function tests to ascertain anemia or thyroid problems
Pulsatile Tinnitus Symptoms
Hearing a whooshing sound or steady beat is the most common symptom patients with pulsatile tinnitus experience. Often, the sound is in sync with the patient’s heartbeat, so when the heart rate increases or decreases, the noise will follow its rhythm.
During exertion that increases the heart rate, such as exercise, it is common for people to hear their heartbeats. However, patients experiencing pulsatile tinnitus often hear their heartbeats even at rest, especially when in bed at night, as there are fewer sounds to disguise it.
For those experiencing pulsatile tinnitus, the sound may be constant or may come and go. Unfortunately, many patients with pulsatile tinnitus symptoms find them anywhere from distracting and annoying to incapacitating and impeding their everyday lives.
Pulsatile Tinnitus Treatments
To effectively treat pulsatile tinnitus, its underlying cause must first be identified, then appropriate treatment can be determined. Cure rates for pulsatile tinnitus are often high following a proper diagnosis.
The comprehensive knowledge of the experts at Vascular Neurology of Southern California ensures an in-depth evaluation to accurately diagnosis the underlying condition causing pulsatile tinnitus, then they will develop an appropriate treatment plan.
For certain diagnoses like hyperthyroidism, intracranial pressure, anemia, or high blood pressure, treatments may include medications or lifestyle changes, such as exercise, weight loss, stopping smoking, or a combination thereof.
For other diagnoses, including blood vessel disorders or malformation, a tumor, or ear abnormality, treatment likely includes otological or neurological surgery to address the underlying condition. Often, surgical intervention is paired with other therapies.
If no underlying conditions are found to be the cause of your pulsatile tinnitus, self-management techniques may help alleviate your symptoms.
Sound therapy may help some patients with pulsatile tinnitus to repress the thumping or whooshing noises. In these cases, a white noise machine or sound generator may be recommended. Often, the white noise created by air conditioners or fans can help, especially before bedtime.
Lifestyle or behavioral modifications can sometimes also alleviate pulsatile tinnitus symptoms. Beneficial therapies for pulsatile tinnitus may include:
- Tinnitus Retraining Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Meditation
- Relaxation Techniques
Pulsatile Tinnitus Prognosis and Recovery
Pulsatile tinnitus prognosis and recovery are greatly determined by its underlying cause and treatment. However, following treatment for the underlying condition, pulsatile tinnitus is often successfully alleviated.
Choosing Dr. Taqi for Your Pulsatile Tinnitus Treatment
Quintuple board-certified endovascular surgeon Dr. M. Asif Taqi and his expert team of providers continually seek innovative methods and cutting-edge treatments to help patients improve their overall health. Our providers focus on developing relationships with their patients in order to deliver utmost care. With dedication to providing outstanding results, Dr. Taqi and his team are your choice as the best pulsatile tinnitus treatment specialists.
Schedule Your Pulsatile Tinnitus Treatment Consultation Today
If you or a loved one is experiencing the symptoms of pulsatile tinnitus, the experts at Vascular Neurology of Southern California are here to help you discover its cause and navigate your treatment options. Partnering with Vascular Neurology of Southern California can help you restore your quality of life to start feeling like your best self again.
To schedule a pulsatile tinnitus consultation with VNSC, contact us at (805) 242-4884 or complete our online form. Our six practices proudly serve patients in Thousand Oaks, West Lake, Woodland Hills, Ventura, Camarillo, Calabasas, and many other areas throughout Southern California and Las Vegas, NV.