How To Treat Whooshing Sound In Ear:5 Crucial Tips That Help

The whooshing ear sound is caused by rhythmic thumping and throbbing in one or both ears. The sound is annoying and may get intense and debilitating. Patients with this condition find it hard to sleep or concentrate.

The condition is rare but does not go away on its own. Moreover, you cannot control it. The best way is to seek medical attention from a qualified physician.

The sound may come as a steady pulse beat in either of your ears. Other related symptoms that appear include high pressure of the fluid around the brain. The human ear is tuned to listen to sound outside, not in the body naturally; there are bodily noises from bodily fluids. The ear ignores these noises, though. 

Can whooshing in the ear be serious?

It is always a good idea to get in touch with your healthcare provider if you hear any unexplained change in your ear. Whooshing sound in the ear can sometimes be severe and may be accompanied by symptoms such as; 

• Headaches
• Dizziness,
• Vision problems
• Hearing loss

 

Causes of Wooshing Sound

Whooshing sound in the ear is a condition known as Tinnitus. Doctors may point out a specific problem that doctors will help diagnose.

Here are some causes of Tinnitus.

• Irregular blood vessels

Most people commonly suffer from irregular blood vessels. Since the blood flows through damaged vessels, the pressure may change and cause a change in blood pressure which causes noise in the ear. A narrow artery or jugular vein can also cause the sound leading to the condition. 

• Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis refers to the hardening of arteries. This condition mainly affects obese people. Fats and cholesterol in such patients may cause blood vessels to clog, making them less flexible. At this point, blood flow near your middle and inner ear flows with increased pressure. You may hear this in both ears. 

• Sinus wall abnormalities, SWAA

SWAA is another condition that appears on the side of your brain. It appears on the side of your brain that receives blood from veins within your brain. Many patients experience this condition with increased blood flow as the whooshing sound increases. 

• Managing Pulsatile Tinnitus 

The first step when you experience a whooshing sound in the ear is getting a doctor’s diagnosis. It is essential to be assessed by a professional. They carry out an initial review of your symptoms and medical history to understand the underlying problem.

A physical will examine your ears and neck and, most of all, check your blood flow. Some tests may follow to understand the exact nature of this condition. 

Popular checks include; blood tests, hearing checks, MRIs, CT scans, Ultrasounds, and angiograms. 

Once the physician detects pulsatile Tinnitus using a stethoscope on your neck or skull, they will declare you have pulsatile Tinnitus and arrange for the proper medication. This is a rare occurrence. A local ENT professional may help with the diagnosis. 

Additional tests are done for high blood pressure and other tests that look for conditions like anemia and thyroid disease. High blood pressure may surface as Tinnitus, but further diagnosis by cardiologists may rule out the disease. 

How do you treat a whooshing sound in your ear?

The following are some crucial tips to consider when looking to treat whooshing sounds in the ear:

• Treatment

Before treating pulsatile Tinnitus, medics will look for underlying conditions and suggest self-management techniques or medical treatment. Nevertheless, if no underlying condition is found, your physician may suggest self-management techniques to manage the situation. Sound therapy may suppress the whooshing sound. 

In this case, sound therapy happens through a noise-suppressing device like a white noise machine or wearable sound generator. If you sit next to a fan or an air-conditioner, that sound may soothe and relax the ears. Doctors may also recommend specific therapies for patients; 

1. Tinnitus retraining therapy, 
2. Meditation
3. Relaxation techniques and 
4. Cognitive behavioral therapy

• White noise

White noise helps make the sound less noticeable. Apply white noise when sleeping for maximum benefits. There are unique machines that produce white noise. Air conditioners or fans are also excellent sources of white noise as they help soothe the eardrum. You may also download a smartphone app that makes white noise for Tinnitus. 

• Sound generators

Sound generators are devices that look like hearing aids. These create constant low-level background noise. Sound generators are affordable and are found in local or online stores. 

Tinnitus retraining. Calm music is often the best way to relax in this condition. We are a device playing music at the right frequency as the Tinnitus. Some people use sound machines, which generate soothing background noise. 

Tinnitus can be a medical emergency, though it is not a sign of a severe condition; nonetheless, if it affects your sleep and concentration, work, or hearing, it may need urgent medical attention.

Look for an emergency medical center. Common tinnitus symptoms that demand emergency action includes; facial paralysis and hearing loss. Pulsating sound synchronizes with your heartbeat and a specific discharge from your ear. 

• Relaxation techniques

The sound of your heartbeat could be very annoying. Some patients create a way of masking Tinnitus through sound machines, which may not always work. Relaxation exercises may help.

Some techniques help increase relaxation and ease stress. Relaxation helps people eliminate frustrations from stress and improve cognitive health. 

• Counseling

Counseling is another option that may help deal with the condition. Mental wellness therapies like CBT, cognitive behavioral therapy ACT, acceptance, and commitment therapy help people pay less attention to the noise in the head. 

Counseling is not a permanent solution but it helps people deal with the issue. 

Once the physician determines Tinnitus is because of hyperthyroidism, anemia, or elevated intracranial pressure, they may prescribe medications that will treat the underlying condition and, as a result, eliminate Tinnitus.

Many doctors also advocate for improvement in lifestyle changes like smoking, starting weight loss plans, and exercise routines. 

For patients whose condition results from blood vessels or tumors in the head, neck, or ear abnormality, ontological or neurological surgery may be the best recommendation. Adjunct therapy, like stenting for aneurysms, may also prove helpful. 

To Sum it up

Once a physician diagnoses you with Tinnitus, it’s best recommended you visit an otolaryngologist or simply an ear, nose, and throat specialist. A hearing specialist or audiologist may also be involved in your recuperation journey.

However, some basic behavioral patterns you ought to embrace immediately include hearing protection from time to time and listening to music at high volume. Additionally, avoid noisy environments, and limit alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine use. 

Medical Discalimer: The information provided here On Geeks Health website is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you have or suspect a medical problem, promptly contact your healthcare provider. Reliance on any information in this response is solely at your own risk.