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submitted 2 days ago by Fleur_@aussie.zone to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

Not all the time but occasionally in quiet moments I can hear a pulsing in my ear that matches my heartbeat. Been able to hear it since I was a child. Mostly it's localised to one ear and generally it will quieten/ stop after a short while.

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[-] Appoxo@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 10 hours ago

Nope.

Maybe the rush sound you hear is this?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tensor_tympani_muscle

Only recently I learnt the name of it myself from another lemmy comment

[-] swelter_spark@reddthat.com 1 points 10 hours ago

It started recently. I think I injured that ear. I dislike the noise.

[-] kassiopaea 2 points 13 hours ago

I can at times; particularly when stressed. It used to be a nearly constant thing, but that's since improved with stress management, therapy, and diet changes. Seriously, people underestimate how strongly stress and anxiety can affect you physically.

[-] daggermoon@lemmy.world 7 points 21 hours ago

All I hear in a quiet room is my tinnitus

[-] Burninator05@lemmy.world 4 points 22 hours ago

Most people can when someplace really quiet. You can prevent that by giving yourself tinnitus but I don't recommend it.

[-] Red_Crystal@lemmy.world 1 points 20 hours ago

Once upon a time it happened. And it was a consequence of stomach bleeding... Not much good...

I still hear it sometimes, but that’s when I have severe shortness of breath and high blood pressure.

[-] El_Azulito@lemmy.world 1 points 21 hours ago

…Especially when I’m really stoned. 💪

[-] makingStuffForFun@lemmy.ml 7 points 1 day ago
[-] Konstant@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

Sometimes I hear my office chair squeaking due to my heartbeat.

[-] rusticus@lemm.ee 1 points 21 hours ago

The call is coming from inside your heart! Get out! Get out now!

[-] Mouselemming@sh.itjust.works 58 points 2 days ago

The search term you want is "pulsatile tinnitus." Many people hear it when our heart is pounding, in my case it was one of several symptoms that led to realizing I was very anemic. It can have serious causes like high blood pressure or a tumor, or more minor ones like sinus congestion or even just an individual difference of your inner ear. An otolaryngologist (ENT or Ear-Nose-Throat doctor) can help determine if there's anything to treat or worry about. But nobody is going to look for it unless you bring it up.

[-] sem 10 points 1 day ago

I had this and it was sinus congestion.

[-] Aceticon@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

It happened to me for during a couple of days last week that I could hear my own heartbeat whenever it was quiet.

No idea why and it's gone now.

[-] TabbsTheBat@pawb.social 26 points 2 days ago

Yep :3.. can be annoying when im trying to sleep

[-] Fleur_@aussie.zone 13 points 2 days ago

Mmm I used to be scared that it was the sound of the iron giant marching towards me as a kid

[-] DarkDarkHouse@lemmy.sdf.org 2 points 1 day ago

When I was a kid, I thought it must be dust mites marching across my pillow.

[-] TabbsTheBat@pawb.social 3 points 2 days ago

I still need to watch that movie tbh :3.. it's one I somehow missed

[-] spy@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Yes! Exactly the same. I can only hear it when laying down, mostly at night only when trying to sleep. If I sit or stand up I can't hear it anymore. Not every night but I sure hear it often.

It does make sleeping harder.

[-] plz1@lemmy.world 12 points 1 day ago

It's common, but you may also want to check your blood pressure, too. Could be a sign of elevated blood pressure.

[-] SCmSTR 4 points 1 day ago
[-] plz1@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago
[-] marron12@lemmy.world 6 points 1 day ago

I've been able to hear that too, for as long as I can remember. I don't think that's necessarily anything unusual when you're the type of person who can hear earthworms cough. It sounds different at different times, like if I'm stressed or dehydrated.

There's really a lot you can hear if it's quiet and you pay attention. Eyes opening and closing, eyeballs moving, joints moving (neck and spine sounds different than knees and elbows), muscles contracting (different ones sound different).

[-] Cptn_Slow@lemmy.world 12 points 2 days ago

Have you had your BP checked?

[-] KittenBiscuits@lemm.ee 11 points 2 days ago

I hear it frequently too and bp is low-normal. I can hear it when my ear is laying on a pillow, and I also hear my ear moving with the pulse against the fabric, not just hearing the pulse on its own. This will be in the middle of the night (i.e. no activity, low resting heartrate). But I can also sometimes hear it when I'm sitting upright. I hear it after doing cardio, which may be normal. The ear wiggling thing against the pillow irritates me tho because it keeps me awake and I prefer side sleeping.

[-] Mouselemming@sh.itjust.works 3 points 2 days ago

Maybe I'm just a busybody and you're fine, but get a blood test for low iron if you haven't lately.

[-] KittenBiscuits@lemm.ee 5 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Yeah, chronically low. Technically just barely within normal, but too low to donate. I've got other things going on, and see my doc every 3-6 months (with labwork). I guess it's just normal enough to not be fiddled with now yet still annoying.

[-] Mouselemming@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 day ago

Glad you're keeping tabs on it.

[-] Fleur_@aussie.zone 8 points 2 days ago

Uhhhh idk it off the top of my head, I've had medical check ups recently where they took it. They didn't feel the need to mention it to me. I also had hearing tests done and I'm able to hear all of the inputs they test for. Afterwards the doctors always bring up my hearing.

[-] Cptn_Slow@lemmy.world 5 points 2 days ago

If a doctor didn't mention it, I would assume it's fine!

[-] Ledericas@lemm.ee 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

yes i used to, i would actually hear the bloodflow in the ear as pulsing. i stopped hearing at some point. according to a former ENT i was with, he said it happens if your carotid artery is quite large.

i suspect it had to do with my severe nasal allergies causing inflammation, inflammation cause blood vessels to dilate and flow larger volumes.

[-] kindenough@kbin.earth 9 points 1 day ago

Yes I can hear it as well since tinnitus came along. I have it in both ears 24/7 and it really sucks. Be careful with your ears. I have tinnitus from DJing.

[-] temporal_spider@lemm.ee 2 points 1 day ago

I have an illness that can sometimes cause a big spike of adrenaline when I overdo things. I can hear it then, and it's a sign that I need to lie down and do some kind of meditation to get my stress level down. Conversely, when I'm meditating, and get really relaxed, I can also hear it, but it's a very different sensation.

[-] Bluetreefrog@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago

I notice it when I'm dehydrated.

[-] Oisteink@feddit.nl 4 points 2 days ago

Neat! Most people need to put their hand or a conch shell to their ear to hear it

[-] leaky_shower_thought@feddit.nl 2 points 1 day ago

i notice it after a meal or after running.

[-] Fleur_@aussie.zone 2 points 1 day ago

Yeah after exercise definitely

[-] PeriodicallyPedantic@lemmy.ca 3 points 1 day ago

Someone find Ginko

[-] oyzmo@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

Yupp, I use it for a focus point when meditating:)

this post was submitted on 04 May 2025
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