Positional Pulsatile Tinnitus During a Cold — Hearing Heartbeat Loudly in Certain Positions

[Madi]

Hey all, long time no see. I've mostly been managing the ear problems I've been having and for the most part dealing with my anxiety. I just have a little question!

Normally, I can't hear my heartbeat in my ear at all. Not standing up, not sitting down, not lying down. I have a pretty bad cold right now, so I propped my head up to sleep last night to help the sinus drainage, and randomly, in some neck positions, I could hear my heartbeat incredibly loudly in my left ear. If I turned my head another way, it stopped immediately and was silent. So I'm 99.9% certain it's positional.

If it happens again tonight, I'll report back with what happened. Right now, I'm thinking it's because I'm sick, and maybe I got some fluid in my ear, or maybe my head wasn't very happy with how I had my neck positioned. Any of you go through this? The other thing I think it could be would be my Eustachian tube dysfunctioning, which seems a bit more likely to me at this point. But I just wanted to check with you folks to see what you think!

 

[tiniturtle]

If you're sick, it's probably ETD or congestion/fluid. Give it a little time and if it doesn't improve after about a month, you should have it investigated by a specialist that isn't an ENT. A nasal steroid spray can help with this too.