Does anyone have some experience with pulsatile tinnitus (I can hear my heartbeat in right ear) and could it be connected in anyway with AF, medications or ablation?
Some days I can hear my heartbeat in right ear, some days not. Before I go down the mamy months long waiting line GP-referal-specialist, I wanted to see if someone expirienced this and how serious was it.
I can see that this condition is often a sign of an underlying problem with the blood flow. But I can also see that some medical pages are saying it is mostly not a problem.
Afib since Oct '23. On meds and mostly controlled, didn't have an episode since Decemeber. Had an ablation done one month ago. I've noticed the sound sometimes in January. It comes and goes. Sometimes multiple times a day.
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Yes I’ve had it for years, had tests and scans to rule out anything serious and was given hearing aids which have a range of sounds to drown out the tinnitus.
NHS from the Audiology department at local hospital, at the fitting appt you choose which sound you want, I chose waves on the beach and it does work to drown out or distract from the tinnitus.
Thanks. I already have an NHS aid in one ear which helps a little but am going to make an appointment to return for checks as my tinnitus is worse. I wonder if you can have birdsong! 😅
Yes. I have intermittent clicking sounds in left ear. I believe it’s connected to long covid as I had no problems until I had serious 2 nd bout of Covid.
Only had it now for about fifteen years I'm afraid so not much experience LOL 😁 . It is pretty common with we AF people and no known cure so best get used to it and not waste your time and money (being US) looking for one. Being busy and or distracted works best.
It's not a big problem to ignore it because I only feel/hear it when Im sitting in silence. But still, it got me worried due to majority of articles pointing out that pulsatile tinnitus is usually a symptom of an underlying problem with blood vessels in the head and that some of the reasons could be life threatning. Damn internet...
Yes, the Internet is the best way to learn that you are about to drop dead ! The problem you have is VERY common. It is not specific to Afib sufferers and it is just chance that links the two. It is the same with many complaints - just because people with Afib have them it becomes a belief for some people that Afib is the cause. Many of us who have Afib are pretty keen to discover what triggers our complaint and what we can do about it. The trouble is, it is easy to forget that an awful lot of symptoms we have, people without Afib have them too. As you have been advised already on this forum, ignoring it when possible is the best thing. If you stop worrying, you are less likely to notice it.
Same here Bob. I ignore it and mine is loud. Don't give the blighter any encouragement by listening to it. It eventually goes into a sulk and fades into the background. 😊
I actually wrote a explanation about Tinnitus for someone on the PMR/ GCA forum a couple of days ago. If you press on my little avatar and scroll down my replies you will find it , it might be helpful.I have permanent constant tinnitus and intermittent tinnitus in my left ear, and intermittent pulsatile tinnitus in the right.
As you've already been diagnosed with aFib and will have had the tests to rule out other cardiac problems you know the cause.
High blood pressure and high heart rate coupled by close proximity of the arteries , arterioles and blood vessels to the ear means that at times you will hear your circulation, particularly when your BP rises during strenuous exercise , physical activity with a lot of moving up and down, or when you are overtired or have negative stress you are more likely to get pulsatile tinnitus.
Pulsatile tinnitus is usually intermittent, but you can have tinnitus without pulsing or whooshing sounds all the time and permanently if your blood vessels are close to the ear, particularly if you also suffer from hypertension or Migraines and Headaches or have Sinus problems which cause inflammation in the area. It can also occasionally cause a feeling of heaviness or a dull ache.
It's worth having a check up if it's brand new , with your GP to check your blood pressure but also to check that you have no inner ear or sinus inflammation or infection . Getting sent for an Audiology assessment is a good plan if it's there for good just to rule out any other hearing issues. It can be a good idea to rule out other things like Anaemia or low B12 with blood tests as iron levels affecting circulation can be a common cause for sudden pulsatile tinnitus.
But with aFib and most cardiac conditions that affect circulation tinnitus is a common problem, it's just better to know that it is the cause on its own.
Then it's a matter of learning to cope with the incessant noise , you need to desensitize yourself from noticing and listening to the noise .
There are free articles and videos available on the internet for this type of Distraction and Desensitisation CBT.
You can get help with it with a CBT course on the NHS in the UK , the GP can refer you,
White noise devices , free white and ambient noise recordings on YouTube, or music can help , especially if it affects how easily you go to sleep. I just wish my tinnitus would occasionally give me a bit of variety and play a few of my favourite tunes instead of the constant sound of an untuned TV!😆😆😆
Tnx for the extensive reply. Some more information about me. I never had a high bp, furthermore I'm currently struggling with low bp due to bisoprolol. I stopped taking it 2 months ago because I was dizzy every time I got up and my hr was too low, sometimes in 40's even though I was taking only 1,25mg. But when I stopped taking it everything got better. No dizziness, normal hr and better bp. But, I had an ablation done a month ago and the nurse advised me to go back on bisoprolol because my propafenone therapy should be coupled with bisoprolol and she said to at least try again and if it made me bad again to just stop taking it again. I started a week ago and as I expected, I started having problems again these days with dizziness and bp, my bp this morning was 100/64. So I plan to stop with bisoprolol once again. It just makes me dizzy too much. Another thing about this tinnintus, I only have occasional pulsatile feeling. And I can only hear it when Im sitting on my laptop desk and in silence. But it is there.
Naturally I tried to find out about it more on the internet and as you can imagine, the majority of articles point out that it is a symptom of an underlying problem with blod vessels in my head and even possible aneurism or stroke danger. I hate myself when I try to find a diagnose on the internet but I can't help it.
I just wanted to see other experiences. Currently Im recovering well from the ablation one month ago, no afib for 4 months and now this ear issue has got me worried a bit.
Hypotension, Very low heart rate and Bradycardia and thyroid issues like Hypothyroidism can also cause occasional tinnitus, as well as headache , dizziness and fatigue, because they also cause variation in your circulation and oxygen levels.You should probably speak to your GP and let them know you are getting the same problem that you had before on Bisoprolol and get some advice about stopping it , or ask if they can give you a alternative to the Bisoprolol before you stop taking it,
When Tinnitus begins , especially if we are more conscious of our health and symptoms when we've experienced something like an Ablation , we can begin to focus on the noise and notice it more than we would have before.
When you've spoken to the GP and got your meds and other symptoms managed , Desensitization CBT and Distracting techniques will definitely help you , especially if it doesn't happen too often.
As I said it isn't just blood pressure or heart rate but often changes in circulation and the proximity of blood vessels to your ear. I had it for years prior to aFib because of Migraines.....and I have a small head!😆😆😆
I developed strange headaches since my ablation a month ago. They are still here but thats probably due to transeptal puncture and I noticed my ear heartbeat sound long before the ablation so I presume the ablation is not the reason for the pulsatile tinnitus.
If you think there are also other issues like headaches that aren't related to aFib or other health problems affecting your tinnitus you should definitely speak to a GP about it , they may need to refer you for tests or a scan to rule out other issues.
I wrote about this issue few days ago. I developed mild headaches in my temples right after ablation. Since I did cryoablation, my transeptal puncture was larger than in Rf ablation, hence more risk of post ablation headaches untill the puncture heals and closes up again. I do plan to visit my GP and ask for a referal for the specialist for this ear issue but the waiting will be around 6-9 months. A lot can happen in that time.
started suddenly and it is in sync with my heartbeat
I looked up ‘‘whooshing noise in ear’’ (as that was how it sounded like to me… and other wording)
found whooshes.com online
joined that and their facebook group
can be many reasons for it
some are not serious and others are very serious.
I went to my doctor and discussed this and he immediately ordered MRIs and CTs of my brain and neck.
the radiologist at the imaging center that did those said all looked normal and my doctor then referred me to an ENT, who had no clue. I then found a neurotologist in my area and self-referred myself . he looked at my mris and scans of neck and head and diagnosed me with Sigmoid Sinus Stenosis with possible Idiopathic intracranial hypertension
that is narrowed veins in my brain on both left and right sides and possible inflammation due to too much spinal fluid going between brain, and spine.
I then found Dr patsalides in new york who specialises in these things and he looked at my CDs of my scans and MRIs and I never told him the other doctors input. He told me the same thing. In my case it is a wait and see… May need a stent in brain because this condition that i have affects the blood flow.
I am a candidate for it and I can get it done if I choose to for getting rid of the constant noise in ear. If i get worse symptoms then i may require stents.
Not all pulsatile tinnitus is due to this and there are many different things that can be the cause.
ps My blood pressure is normal as well
I have a-fib but not regularly and my resting pulse in average of 53-60 at night and early am. It can go up suddenly when I walk or do things… no rhyme or reason. Far as I know, I have only had 2-3 a-fib events altogether and first was last year.
I bought a Kardia mobile 6Lead in about august or last year, so can’t say for sure. the plus side of the pulsatile tinnitus is I can guess my heart rate at any given time, if I am away from noisy areas. And, I can hear if it is out of sync at all.
What helped diagnose my reason for Pulsatile Tinnitus is i have the beating in my left ear only (or only hear it in left ear).
and if i hold a finger on my tight jugular vein i can hear my heart beating louder in the left esr.
I coincidentally also have tinnitus (which is very common in people)
I learnt to live with the constant heartbeat rather than opt for brain surgery. I have enough other issues so maybe that also kind of helped me live with it.
Hi I have had PT 24/7 for 8 years. Normal BP. Doesn’t cause any problems except the noise . Because am now on an anti coagulant I have ddciddd I want it checked out. My optician check was normal( intracranial hypertension can affect optic nerve). I have booked a private appointment with an ENT who hopefully will write to my GP and recommend I have an mri etc. although my hearing is fine I will get a hearing test done before I go because I know he will want one. My PT started years before AF. Hopefully can rule out any nasties but I have just reached a point where I need to know
As you have had it for 8 yrs, hopefully no serious problem as otherwise things may have developed.
I have it mainly in my right ear, initially solely, and they scanned me to rule out a brain tumour I think they said because it was just on one side. That was 10 years ago and I think no explanation was given for PT, just in my case my carotid artery is bigger on the right side that may be contributory.
Nowadays being still a bit anxious, I find PT useful in confirming I am in NSR without the concern of taking my pulse. So like BobD says I just jog on keeping myself busy helps as it is as good as a break in that you don't hear it.
Thank you . It is handy having your own cardiac monitor 😊 I have sort of got used to it. I have TMJ problems on the left and if I push my jaw forward it all gets really loud so hoping something to do with that but I would like some basic checks . Trouble with a scan you never know what they will find ! A friend had a scan for whiplash and they found thyroid cancer . Which was good they caught it . Just need to know . Thank you for your response
I developed tinnitus after about a year of taking Bisoprolol. It disappeared within 48 hours of moving from Bisoprolol to Diltiazem. Fortunately it hasn’t returned.
had it for ages, happened after a major operation. Can indicate a problem with a blood vessel or a growth but usually “just one of those things” I found it very annoying especially at the beginning, I hated that I couldn’t get away from it, it is easier if I sleep on the offending side. Best get a referral anyway… that seems to be the best advice, just in case. I’ve not heard it linked to AF, others I have known with it don’t seem to have AF. Initially I found sleep headphones with a variation on white noise were helpful. .
I had an episode of this about two years ago which I found very disturbing and unpleasant. It lasted for several weeks intermittently and then it went away. I suspect it was connected with sinusitis and problems in my ears with which I have suffered quite a lot since I have had AF. How long have you been suffering from this? If only a short time it may clear up of its own accord.
It comes and goes for the last 2-3 months, but more regularly for the last few days. From tomorrow I will once again stop taking bisoprolol because it makes me dizzy and not good and see if the pulsating subsides.
I have had it for years. Was quite happy to hear my heart beating normally after an AF episode. I now have a pacemaker and listen to that clanging away hour after hour.
all of a sudden I start to get this tap tap in my right ear only and only just before going to bed… it beats to my heart and sometimes it’s erratic and so I check pulse and it’s normal. I read somewhere said stick finger in ear and there is a pressure point and hold for 10 seconds. It’s worked once or twice but not all the time
I get it now and then and, thankfully, so far, it has always gone away. I always have tinnitus as a ringing in my ears, mainly in the left. I think it is inherited as my father and his mother both had similar.
I believe the so-called pulsatile tinnitus, with its name for some reason catching on this last year or two, perhaps thanks to exposure on social media, is caused in my case by sinus congestion and not related to my arrhythmia issues. I used to worry it was the carotid artery causing it somehow, but, no - that was imagination running wild.
I hope yours similarly waxes and wanes as it can become a disturbing problem.
Yes, mine also comes and goes. Like yesterday happened for three times and lasted 5 minutes and then goes away. Just a heartbeat in the right ear, nothing else.
I have had left ear PULSATILE tinnitus for many years and because my left carotid calcification condition it was assumed that was the reason. The bits were regular and soft, so it didn’t annoy me, however after diagnosed with AF in 2011 which later becomes permanent the P/T started to disturb my sleep, badly for many years. A few months ago, I was feeling my life was not worst living and took the hard and irreversible decision of having AV node ablation with pacemaker implant. The AF is not cured but it doesn’t affect me, and the P/T is back to regular bits.
You’ve had a tough time. Life can certainly lead us hither and thither. We were on holiday once with a family and the lady’s husband has awful tinnitus that sometimes made him quite ill.
My dad described his as being like a train going through a tunnel. Mine is a high pitched constant ringing.
I had afib from early 2017 to late 2019. Following an ablation I am pleased to say not had it since then but I do have tinnitus. There are three sorts of tinnitus. Firstly a continuous noise, also the pulsating heartbeat type and another which I have forgotten. I get both the continues and the pulsating in both ears but mainly in my right ear. I have got hearing aids which make no difference and have had it reported to the doctors and nothing has been done by the doctors so I just have to put up with it. It is very bad very often and difficult to ignore but I don't think it is linked to af as I worked in Engineering all my life and that is more likely to be the cause.Good luck with your afib and hearing. Sorry I can't help anymore.
I read somewhere that flecainide can cause it if you are on that? I used to have it but no longer suffer. I have not had AFib since my ablation , but even after then i still had it. I could hear my HB most times but especially when trying to go to sleep.
I cant hear it now. I think some of it was trying to hear my HB to check I was not in AFib
hi I developed tinnitus post open heart surgery for an aortic valve replacement nearly 8 years ago which exhibits as a constant pulsatile hissing. When I finally got referred to the local tinnitus clinic they told me that it was actually a symptom of deterioration of hearing loss as the brain starts to internalise the “body” sounds. I was given new hearing aids but I have never had an improvement in the hissing sound I seem to hear
One sided pulsatile tinnitus requires a medical workup to rule out potentially serious problems. I developed it several years ago, went to a ENT and ended up having a brain MRI to rule out a tumor or aneurysm. I had neither and eventually developed the tinnitus in the other ear too. I was told, like others have mentioned, that it is due to the thinning bone between the inner ear and the arteries on the other side. I was advised that with time, the brain adapts to the noise and you don't notice it as much, and this has been true for me. It is associated with hearing loss, so you need to have regular hearing tests too.
Not only do I have pulsatile tinnitus, I also can see my heart beat in my vision and my whole body throbs (abdominally visibly) to my heart beat. I have mentioned this to my cardiologist who didn't comment. I have had a carotid and vertebral artery scan which didn't show a problem. ENT investigations resulted in eustachian tube dysfunction - no cure. I'm post AVR, 2 ablations one catheter and one surgical. Without my AVR I would be dead by now, so I just regard it all as an inconvenience and a side effect of life!
I have Pulsatile tinnitus and have had it for years. I was checked out by ENT dr and everything is fine! But it is tough to hear certain conversation with a group of people. I do notice that when I go into Afib that the tinnitus goes away.
I get it sometimes at night but it doesn't last long. It is sort of reassuring to me to hear it and realize that my heart is in good rhythm. I've got a lot of "stuff" wrong with me but I refuse to let this bother me!
Here is an interesting thing I just realized. When I lean my head forward (like looking in the floor), pulsating stops and when I return my head back it stars again. I tried it now for multiple times and its always the same.
I have had pulsatile tinnitus for years. I hear my heartbeat all the time in both ears, but louder in the left. I’ve had consults with ENT diagnosticians, ultrasound of my cranial veins looking for aneurisms, neurology consult looking at the C1 through C3 vertebrae, etc. The results were all “We don’t know what is causing it”. And they can’t fix what they can’t identify.
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AliveCor monitor.
Ear Problems
Second Day Out From Cryoablation with Migraines and Afib Episodes 
2 weeks after 1st Cryoablation
Did your ectopics die out after your ablation?
