Symptoms

What symptoms can it cause?

People with pulsatile tinnitus typically describe a rhythmic whooshing or swooshing sound in one or both ears, or sometimes in the head, that matches the heartbeat. The sound is often more noticeable at night or in quiet environments. Venous causes may change with head position or gentle pressure on the neck. Other symptoms depend on the underlying cause: idiopathic intracranial hypertension can produce headaches, visual symptoms or swelling of the optic nerves; carotid artery disease may cause a neck bruit; tumours or jugular bulb abnormalities can appear as a bluish mass behind the eardrum; and carotid cavernous fistulae may present with eye redness and bulging.