The ear makes different types of sounds. Some are concerning, and others are not. Understanding the sounds you should be concerned with is essential in ensuring you get the proper medical assistance for your ears.

One of the more unusual sounds you can hear in your ears is the whooshing sound, which sounds quite concerning. It can be distracting and make it hard to focus on conversations, get some sleep, or focus on the rest of your day, especially when that sound is persistent.

Unfortunately, there are instances when the whooshing sounds can be a concern, especially when they are caused by an underlying health issue.

What Can Cause A Whooshing Sound In The Ear?

The whooshing sound can be caused by several things, including high blood pressure, ear infections, Hypertension, and tinnitus.

Ear Infections

Ear infections are pretty common and cause swelling or fluid accumulation within the eardrum. Continuous noise inside the eardrum is usually due to a blockage, which can be treated by resolving the infection, which usually takes a few days.

Cleaning treatments, ear drops, painkillers, and antibiotics are also necessary for outer ear infections.

Tinnitus

Tinnitus is best defined as a condition in which you can hear your pulse or heartbeat in your heart. If you have tinnitus, the NHS recommends seeing an audiologist immediately. While the whooshing sounds can be annoying and serious, in many cases, they can be quickly addressed when you see a professional.

Medication Side Effects

You may experience tinnitus and the whooshing sound after taking some medications. The most likely ones to cause this side effect include counter medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen. Diuretics and anti-depressants may also have the same effect of producing that whooshing sound in your ear.

Ear Wax Buildup

This is one of those instances when the whooshing sound is not serious. However, it still needs to be addressed professionally through services such as micro-suction ear wax removal to remove the ear wax that could be causing the problem.

During your checkup with an audiologist, they will analyse the reasons why you may be hearing a swooshing sound. We may also conduct tests and checks to ensure you understand the reason for the noises and that they can be treated.

Blood flow changes

Changes in the blood flow in nearby blood vessels can lead to a whooshing sound. This can be caused by factors such as high blood pressure, a tumour, an aneurysm, or blockages in the vein or artery.

Ear Canal Changes

Anything that changes the size of the blood vessels or affects the flow of blood in the area can cause pulsatile tinnitus, which causes the whooshing sound in your ear. These changes include general changes in the ear and the surrounding tissues.

Eustachian Tube Dysfunction

The eustachian tube, located between the middle ear and the back of the nose, plays a critical role in regulating ear pressure. A blockage in the tube can cause it not to function correctly, causing dysfunction. This can lead to sounds that may be perceived as whooshing in the ear.

Malformation of Capillaries:

Small blood vessels in the ear may develop anomalies, leading to a condition known as arteriovenous malformation (AVM). AVM can cause audible noises in the ears, some of which can be whooshing noises.

Turbulent Blood Flow

Turbulent blood flow is caused by a kink or narrowing of the neck artery (carotid artery) or vein (jugular vein), which can lead to turbulent blood flow and ultimately pulsatile tinnitus. As a result, you may experience a whooshing sound.

High Blood Pressure

Elevated blood pressure increases blood flow and leads to more noticeable sounds in the ears, such as whooshing sounds, which can be uncomfortable.

It is easy to see that the whooshing sound in your ears could be your body's way of indicating that something is not right. Determining the cause of the whooshing sound is critical because it could indicate a more serious underlying condition.

When Does a Whooshing Noise in The Ear Need Urgent Medical Attention?

The whooshing noise in your ears should be treated seriously in almost every case, especially when the underlying cause is determined.

In many cases, the whooshing sound or pulsating noise sounds like your heartbeat and could be a sign of pulsatile tinnitus.

The condition needs quick intervention. Although most conditions are benign, the repetitive nature of the noise can be annoying and even debilitating and can contribute to sleep disorders.

Most cases have an identifiable source that causes the whooshing sound. Sometimes, it can go away without any treatment. However, it's safer to make an appointment with your audiologist to be sure that the cause of your pulsating tinnitus will not require treatment.

Some of the underlying conditions that can cause this type of tinnitus do require medical treatment, such as:

  • Hyperthyroidism: This is also known as an overactive thyroid, where the gland creates an excess thyroid hormone, which contributes to a wide range of symptoms, including fatigue, tremors, digestive problems, sleep issues, and noises in the ear.
  • Anaemia is a condition in which a person lacks iron or a deficiency in red blood cells. It can be treated with medication and dietary supplements, which alleviate the condition.
  • Intracranial Hypertension is a buildup of fluid pressure inside the skull. It can cause pulsatile tinnitus, eye pain, double vision, and headaches.
  • Glomus Tumour: Glomus tumours are benign and invasive tumors that often grow within the middle ear and create pulsatile tinnitus due to the additional pressure.

Treating the cause of the whooshing sound will prevent it from worsening and alleviating symptoms in time. The noise will generally stop when the underlying issue is addressed.