Hi,
I know that tinnitus has been discussed before on this forum and the answer given was that PEMF won’t help with it. I assume that it is regular tinnitus (ringing in the ear) that was discussed. But there is another type of tinnitus that is different called pulsatile tinnitus which is basically a whooshing in the ear syncing with the heartbeat and the cause of this can be totally different from regular tinnitus. Has anyone used the ICES PEMF to resolve this condition or have any recommendations?
Some basic info:
Pulsatile tinnitus is a rare, rhythmic “whooshing” or thumping sound synchronized with your heartbeat, often indicating underlying vascular, blood flow, or structural issues near the ear, such as atherosclerosis, venous sinus stenosis, or hypertension. Unlike regular, constant ringing/buzzing tinnitus caused by hearing loss or loud noises, pulsatile tinnitus requires medical imaging (MRI/CT) to diagnose and treat the specific cause.
Key Differences
Pulsatile Tinnitus: Rhythmic, beating, or pulsing sound synchronized with the heartbeat. Often caused by vascular abnormalities, such as tumors or increased blood flow.
Regular Tinnitus: Constant, non-rhythmic ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound. Usually caused by damage to the inner ear, exposure to loud noise, or age-related hearing loss.
Causes of Pulsatile Tinnitus
Vascular Conditions: Atherosclerosis (hardening of arteries), carotid artery stenosis, or high blood pressure.
TMJ: Jaw misalignment causing constriction in blood vessels in the neck
Blood Flow Issues: Increased blood flow from pregnancy, severe anemia, or hyperthyroidism.
Structural/Intracranial Issues: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (high pressure in the skull), venous sinus stenosis, or dural arteriovenous fistulas.
Tumors/Structural Changes: Glomus tumors near the ear canal, middle ear tumors, or ear infections.
Muscle Spasms: Middle ear myoclonus (MEM), a rare condition involving muscle spasms.
Causes of Regular Tinnitus
Hearing Loss: Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis).
Loud Noise Exposure: Chronic exposure to loud sounds.
Ototoxic Medications: Drugs that damage the ear.
Ear Blockages: Earwax buildup or infections.
Pulsatile Tinnitus (PT) is a symptom that affects nearly five million Americans. The sensation of hearing a rhythmic noise, such as a heartbeat, swooshing or whooshing, from no external source, is, at best, a little unsettling; for many, the near constant sound exceeds annoyance and becomes completely debilitating. Nearly 60% of patients who experience this issue also suffer from some form of depression or anxiety. These rates are significantly higher than those associated with other chronic conditions due in large part to the difficulty of diagnosing the root cause of symptoms. Pulsatile Tinnitus can have many different origins, some fairly benign, others potentially life-threatening. Sources can include vascular malformations, abnormal cerebral pressures, and unique blood flow patterns near the ear. The condition can also be caused by the presence of a tumor. Even when the causes of Pulsatile Tinnitus are fairly benign, its effects are sufficiently incapacitating for most patients to seek help.