The Difference between Pulsatile Tinnitus and Common Tinnitus

We are now aware that tinnitus is a problem that causes a patient to hear ringing and buzzing sounds. This can be an irritating condition that can affect the life of a person with this disorder. Although there are available solutions to this problem, the cause of it is still hard to pinpoint since it is common to all age group.

Tinnitus can be divided into two types. The pulsatile tinnitus (PT) and the non-pulsitile tinnitus.

The first type is called a pulsatile tinnitus (PT) because of the rhythmical noise it makes that resembles to the sound of your pulse. This type of tinnitus is also known as the objective tinnitus. Other people can also hear the sounds that the patient hears. For example, the doctor doing the examination can also hear the buzzing sound with the use of a stethoscope or other equipment.

Here are a list of symptoms that patients with pulsating tinnitus suffers:

• Due to the loud noises that the patient hears in his head, headache is often experience. Headache is the most common symptom of pulsating tinnitus.
• Vertigo is another symptom. This kind of symptom makes the patient feels dizziness and nausea.
• Due to the change that occurs in the blood flow, patient can experience hearing clicking, or throbbing sounds.
• The patient could also suffer from insomnia or the difficulty to sleep.
• Studies also shows that people with pulsating tinnitus gets affected psychologically. They may go through times of depression.
• Hearing loss often follows pulsating tinnitus.

You might be wondering what causes pulsating tinnitus. This is commonly caused by the abnormality of the veins or circulatory problems. Other possible causes of this disorder are:

• Hypertension
• Heart murmur
• Atherosclerotic Carotid Artery Disease
• Vascular tumors
• Chronic inflammation or infection in the middle ear
• Arteriovenous Intracranial Hypertension (BIH)
• Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs)

Treatment for pulsatile tinnitus varies depending on what causes it. Most of them are treated in a standard method. Can be thru the use of drug, therapy, biofeedback, or relaxation therapy. For example, lowering his cholesterol level can treat a person suffering from tinnitus because of high cholesterol. For those with high blood pressure, controlling this with medications can also help in the treatment of pulsating tinnitus.

The second type of tinnitus called non-pulsatile tinnitus is also known as common tinnitus. Unlike pulsatile tinnitus, the patient suffering from common tinnitus hears noises that other people can’t hear. Still, the ringing, buzzing, hissing, whistling and clicking noise that the patient hears doesn’t come from an external source. This type of tinnitus is often a result of hearing loss. Possible reasons that a person may suffer hearing loss are due to allergies or sinus infection, trauma or acquiring a meniere’s disease.

Various solutions are already available to give relief to patients with common tinnitus. Indulging in relaxing activities such as yoga and acupuncture, taking vitamin supplements or even surgery can help in controlling this condition.