Hearing Heartbeat When Wearing Earplugs — Pulsatile Tinnitus?

Hi All,

I just want to preface this by saying that sometimes I notice I get temporary pulsatile tinnitus (sounds like a whooshing sound in sync with my heartbeat) for a minute or two and then it fades. I have normal tinnitus that is much louder I guess. But what I am curious about is if I actually do have pulsatile tinnitus?

I noticed that when I wear earplugs or even earmuffs, I hear my heartbeat really loudly. And it's not just that I hear it but more like I can feel it pounding in my ears it seems. It worries me a lot when I wear earplugs but I have severe hyperacusis too so I have no choice but to wear them sometimes. I hear and feel this heartbeat really loudly.

I noticed online and in general people do not ever really complain of this when using hearing protection. Many people even sleep the whole night with earplugs in and don't mention hearing their heart pound loudly in their ears? Could this mean I actually have pulsatile tinnitus and hence why I hear my heart so loud when I wear ear plugs?

Thank you.

 

Pretty sure this is par for the course when wearing earplugs/ear defenders.

I experience this too anyway, and I've never categorised myself as suffering from pulsatile tinnitus.

 

I hear my heartbeat in my left ear, sometimes, when I exercise, for couple of seconds. I think it's normal. When I block my ears with my hands I hear it too.

 

Earplugs, if they are too tight, can cause blood to back up and yeah you'll hear that. Stop wearing such tight earplugs.

True pulsatile tinnitus sounds like pulsing ringing or your heartbeat but you'd hear it disturbingly loudly in a quiet room without ear protection on. Exercise or a sound proof room really doesn't count for much.

I have had real pulsatile tinnitus where my heartbeat fills the whole goddamn room I'm in.

I always hear my heartbeat in earplugs (not that loudly any longer).

 

I hear my heartbeat also when I wear earmuffs.

 

I hear pulsatile tinnitus only about 20% of the time. It doesn’t make sense.

 

I have pulsatile tinnitus in my left ear all day! At night it's even worse. My GP says it's normal. Lol. I also have the ringing which starts around 5:00 am. My personal alarm. Any type of physical activity sets it off like crazy. No more housework. Yeah! Xanax doesn't work. So I just try to ignore it.