10 Mind-Boggling Facts on Unraveling the Mystery of Pulsatile Tinnitus

Katherine MacAulay

9. Beyond Blood Vessels: Surprising Systemic Culprits and Connections

Doctor Audiologist consulting patient about hearing aids at clinic. Photo Credit: Envato @ninelutsk

While vascular issues are the usual suspects, the mystery of pulsatile tinnitus sometimes extends to seemingly unrelated systemic conditions. For instance, severe anemia can lead to thinner blood that flows more rapidly and turbulently, potentially causing a pulsing sound. Similarly, an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) can increase heart rate and blood flow, sometimes manifesting as pulsatile tinnitus. Even something as seemingly distant as intracranial hypertension (high pressure around the brain) can transmit the pulse to the ear. These connections highlight how intricately our body systems are linked, making diagnosis a comprehensive detective work.

10. The Imaging Breakthrough: Peering Inside to Pinpoint the Elusive Pulse

Female patient undergoing MRI - Magnetic resonance imaging in Hospital. Medical Equipment and Health. Photo Credit: Envato @Angelov1

Unraveling the mystery of pulsatile tinnitus heavily relies on seeing the unseen. Advanced medical imaging techniques are the modern-day keys to unlocking the cause of this often-elusive sound. Technologies like Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA), Magnetic Resonance Venography (MRV), Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA), and sometimes traditional angiography, allow doctors to create detailed maps of the blood vessels in the head and neck. These scans can reveal the tiny abnormalities, constrictions, or unusual connections that might be generating the rhythmic sound, guiding precise treatment and often bringing immense relief to those affected.

BACK

(5 of 7)

<div class="ads ads-1 collapse-container group-display-adsense unit-2024-desktop-rail-336x600-long zone-slideshow-desktop-rail-bottom">
<script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-6736552601239305"
     crossorigin="anonymous"></script>

<ins class="adsbygoogle"
     style="display:inline-block;width:300px;height:600px"
     data-ad-client="ca-pub-6736552601239305"
     data-ad-slot="7087745678"></ins>
<script>
     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>
<script>
  addBlurHandler('sdr-bottom', function (el, zone) {
    if (cf_utm_source === 'bing') {
        uetqApi('outbound_click', {
            'event_category': 'PPC',
            'event_label': 'Adsense',
            'event_value': '1'
        });
        console.log('Fired bing.');
    }
	
	if (cf_utm_source === 'google') {
		gtag('event', 'conversion', {
			'send_to': 'AW-17008664059/yUYKCMCtl7kaEPu7rq4_',
			'value': 0.0,
			'currency': 'USD'
		});
    	console.log('Fired Google Conversion.');
	}
	
    console.log('Fired pixel.');
});
</script>
</div>

OpenAI Playground 2025-05-13 at 10.55.45.png

<div class="ads ads-1 collapse-container group-display-adsense unit-2024-desktop-rail-336x280-sticky zone-slideshow-desktop-rail-sticky">
<script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-6736552601239305"
     crossorigin="anonymous"></script>

<ins class="adsbygoogle"
     style="display:inline-block;width:300px;height:280px"
     data-ad-client="ca-pub-6736552601239305"
     data-ad-slot="9869999824"></ins>
<script>
     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>
<script>
  addBlurHandler('sdr-sticky', function (el, zone) {
    if (cf_utm_source === 'bing') {
        uetqApi('outbound_click', {
            'event_category': 'PPC',
            'event_label': 'Adsense',
            'event_value': '1'
        });
        console.log('Fired bing.');
    }
	
	if (cf_utm_source === 'google') {
	  gtag('event', 'conversion', {
		'send_to': 'AW-17008664059/yUYKCMCtl7kaEPu7rq4_',
		'value': 0.0,
		'currency': 'USD'
	  });
	  console.log('Fired Google Conversion.');
  	}

console.log('Fired pixel.');
});
</script>
</div>

9. Beyond Blood Vessels: Surprising Systemic Culprits and Connections

10. The Imaging Breakthrough: Peering Inside to Pinpoint the Elusive Pulse

MORE FROM HealthPrep