Why hearing your own heartbeat in your ears could be a warning sign, says doctor
Medical expert explains why pulsatile tinnitus shouldn't be ignored, even if it seems harmless at first
Hearing a heartbeat or pulsing sound in your ears might seem strange, but it could be your body’s way of telling you something is wrong.
Many people experience ringing or buzzing in their ears from time to time, especially after listening to loud music, being at a noisy event, or hearing a sudden loud sound. But when that sound feels like a heartbeat or a steady “whooshing” noise, it could be something more serious called pulsatile tinnitus.
Pulsatile tinnitus, or PT, is different from regular tinnitus. Instead of a constant ringing, it sounds more like a pulse or thump that matches your heartbeat. Experts say about 1 in 3 people who report strange sounds in their ears may actually have PT.
People with this condition often notice that the pulsing sound gets louder when their heart rate goes up, like during exercise or stress. When they’re calm, the sound might not be as noticeable.
What causes pulsatile tinnitus?
Dr. Ahmed Abd Elbary, a doctor who shares health tips on TikTok under the name @Dra_says, says hearing this heartbeat sound can be caused by changes in how blood flows near the ear.
“Sometimes, your blood flow can become more turbulent,” he explains. “The most common causes for this are things like aneurysms or atherosclerosis, which is when the arteries become narrower.”
He also points out that some people may experience increased blood flow in one particular area, which could be caused by a tumor. While that might sound scary, Dr. Ahmed reassures people that most of these tumors are benign, meaning they aren’t dangerous.
Still, he recommends seeing a doctor just to be safe.
“It’s definitely something you want to get checked out, especially if it’s new or getting worse,” he says.
What can make the sound worse?
Not all causes of PT are serious. In fact, regular things that affect your blood flow can also make the sound more noticeable. These include:
- Exercise
- Pregnancy
- An overactive thyroid
- Anaemia, which is when your body doesn’t have enough red blood cells
Sometimes the sensation simply comes from being more aware of the tiny blood vessels in and around your ears.
When should you see a doctor?
While PT often goes away on its own, there are some signs that mean you should get it checked. These include:
- If the sound starts suddenly
- If it keeps getting louder or more frequent
- If you only hear it in one ear
- If it affects your sleep or daily activities
A doctor can help figure out what’s going on and give you the right advice.
Even though hearing your heartbeat in your ears might not seem like a big deal, it could be a sign that something more serious is going on. That’s why doctors recommend not ignoring it.
As Dr. Ahmed says, “Most of the time, it’s nothing to worry about, but it’s better to be safe and get it checked.”
If you or someone you know hears a pulsing sound in one or both ears, it’s worth talking to a medical professional. And don’t forget to share this information—it could help someone else who’s been wondering about the same thing.
