Why Can I Hear My Heartbeat in My Ear?

Why can I hear my heartbeat in my ear? Usually hearing a heartbeat in your ear is a common sensation linked to pulsatile tinnitus. 

It is caused by blood flow near your ear becoming more noticeable than usual, but don’t worry, it’s often harmless, but it is worth knowing what is going on and if you need more clarity from a audiologist. 

What Does It Mean When You Hear a Heartbeat in Your Ear?

Hearing a heartbeat in the ear, rather than a constant ring or buzz, points to a specific type of tinnitus called pulsatile tinnitus. Unlike regular tinnitus, which tends to come from the hearing nerve or hair cells inside the ear, pulsatile tinnitus is genuinely rhythmic, syncing with your actual heartbeat because what you are hearing is the sound of blood moving through vessels near your ear. 

You might experience a whooshing or throbbing rather than ringing, and it can be constant or come and go depending on your activity level at the time. Interestingly, this type of tinnitus is sometimes described as objective, meaning that in certain cases a doctor can actually hear the same sound you can, which is not possible with the more common, subjective form of tinnitus that only you can hear.

What Causes a Pulse in Your Ear?

A pulse in your ear is usually linked to vascular causes, meaning something related to your blood vessels rather than your hearing nerve itself. Conditions like high blood pressure, a build up of fatty deposits narrowing an artery wall, or a blood vessel that is slightly kinked or unusually shaped near the ear can all make blood flow more audible. 

Everyday, less concerning triggers can cause it too, including intense exercise, pregnancy, anaemia, or a change in thyroid function. Age can play a role as well, since blood vessels naturally change over the years, which is partly why this sensation tends to come up more often in older adults than younger people.

Heartbeat in Ear vs Regular Tinnitus: What Is the Difference?

The easiest way to tell the two apart is rhythm. A heartbeat in ear sensation rises and falls in time with your pulse, which is a strong clue that blood flow is the source rather than damage to the tiny hair cells inside the cochlea. Regular tinnitus, by contrast, is usually a constant ringing, buzzing or hissing that does not change with your heart rate, and is more often linked to noise exposure or age related hearing changes. Knowing which type you are dealing with matters, since it points your audiologist or doctor toward a different set of likely causes.

Does It Matter if It Is Only in One Ear?

It can. Hearing a pulse in one ear only, rather than both, is generally considered more worth getting checked, since it can point toward a more localised blood vessel issue on that specific side. Rather than a broader, whole body cause like blood pressure or thyroid function. This does not mean something serious is guaranteed if it is one sided, but it is a genuine reason to get a proper assessment rather than assuming it will settle down. If it affects both ears fairly evenly, it more often points toward something general like blood pressure or a systemic change in blood flow, rather than one specific vessel needing closer attention.

When Should You Get It Checked?

A heartbeat in ear sensation is worth mentioning to your doctor or audiologist if it persists for more than a week or two, if it is only in one ear, or if it comes with other symptoms like dizziness, headaches, or any change in your hearing. 

A hearing test is a useful starting point either way, since it rules out any underlying hearing loss and gives your audiologist a clearer picture. From there, your doctor may want to check your blood pressure or, in persistent or one-sided cases, refer you for imaging to look more closely at the blood vessels around your ear.

Get Clarity on What You Are Hearing

Noticing your own heartbeat in your ear can be unsettling, especially the first time it happens, but understanding what is actually going on is the best way to stop guessing. Most cases come down to ordinary, explainable changes in blood flow, though it is always worth having it properly looked at rather than assuming.

The team at Hearing Matters can carry out a thorough hearing assessment, talk you through what a pulsing or heartbeat-like sound in your ear might mean, and point you toward the right next step if further investigation is needed.