Pulsatile tinnitus Q&A w/ Mayo Clinic expert, Dr. Breen: ARCHIVE

Posted by Joseph Breen, M.D. @floridaneurotologist, Jul 10, 2025

Allow me to introduce you to Dr. Joseph Breen, an expert ear surgeon at Mayo Clinic in Florida offering advanced treatment for outer, middle and inner ear disorders. He specializes in hearing loss, chronic ear infections and rare or complex ear disorders. These disorders include pulsatile tinnitus, cholesteatoma, otosclerosis and superior semicircular canal dehiscence.

During the week of July 14, Dr. Breen will answer questions in a text-style Q&A about pulsatile tinnitus, hearing challenges and any other ear concerns you may have.

Please note that this text-style Q&A is for informational purposes only, and any concerns you have should be addressed to your treating physician. If you would like to learn about care by Dr. Breen and his care team at Mayo Clinic in Florida, please visit this page for information about their program.

Please submit your written questions in advance by commenting on this thread, and Dr. Breen will reply to your comments soon. You will receive a Mayo Clinic Connect notification when he responds to your question.

Please make sure to post a comment with your question by 9am on Wednesday, July 16.

You can start submitting questions now – so please go ahead! What questions do you have for Dr. Breen?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Support Group.

bootblack | @bootblack | Jul 26, 2025

In reply to @carylw "I’m so sorry to hear you have PET also. It seems to be a very rare..." + (show)

Thank you for caring. Am using Patulend nasal drops. Ascorbic acid and is painful and is bad on gastritis. Have tried estradiol drops. Really hot tea or decaf is soothing to me also. My voice is so loud in my head. The anxiety is painful and makes stomach worse. I pray you will be well from today forward.

vlgonzalez | @vlgonzalez | Feb 26 8:14pm

Hi, my husband was recently diagnosed with CVST. He is on Eliquis as well as migraine/pain medication.
When he lays down to rest his ears ring incredibly loud in both ears, with slight pulsing.
It seems to only happen when relaxed or trying to fall asleep. Sometimes accompanied by blurred vision and numbness. Then goes away and comes back.
Is this a short term side effect?
He’s had MRIs and CTs done with no change or signs of it getting worse. Wondering what the best way to manage this is?
Thanks in advance

rts3486 | @rts3486 | Feb 27 12:45pm

I have read that the effects of a high riding jugular bulb can cause Pulsatile Tinnitus. What is your view?

kaybast | @kaybast | Mar 1 9:10pm

In reply to @rts3486 "I have read that the effects of a high riding jugular bulb can cause Pulsatile Tinnitus...." + (show)

@rts3486
I’ve had Tinnitus for several years and 2 yrs ago it became Pustatile Tinnitus . I actually recorded the sound on my iPhone so my Cardiologist could hear it . He had a brain scan done because there is a benign tumor close to middle ear that can cause the Pustatile part . The scan was clear .. anyhow the Pustatile part stopped about a month ago . Still have the tinnitus though . My Rheumatologist thinks it’s an inflamed nerve on the left side that caused the Pustatile part . I can put my finger in my left ear and feel the “ heartbeat” .

vetrice | @vetrice | Mar 8 1:58am

Welcome Dr. Breen!
My grandson has had Hypercusis and also pain in ears when experiencing noisy places or a fork hitting a China plate. This is disabling to him and he had to quit his job and drop out of his last year of college. His parents have taken him to many different kinds of doctors that might treat such a problem, but all say there is no cure.
Are you familiar with with this condition and can you please give us your recommendations for him. He just turned 27 and has been deeply affected by this.
Going into his 3rd year of this disabling condition.
We appreciate your reply here. I am his grandmother & desperately seeking a solution for this fine young man.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 18 7:24pm

In reply to @vlgonzalez "Hi, my husband was recently diagnosed with CVST. He is on Eliquis as well as migraine/pain..." + (show)

@vlgonzalez, welcome. You may wish to connect with other members in these related discussions:
- Is pulsatile tinnitus a normal part of CVST healing? Other?https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cvst-and-pulsatile-tinnitus/
- Chronic CVST and living with seizures, mini strokes. Have this?https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/chronic-cvst/

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 18 7:27pm

In reply to @vetrice "Welcome Dr. Breen! My grandson has had Hypercusis and also pain in ears when experiencing noisy..." + (show)

@vetrice, the Q&A with Dr. Breen is closed.

You may wish to connect with other members in this related discussion:
- Hyperacusis treatment-- what works?https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hyperacusis-treatment-what-works/

See all: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/discussions/

It must be so hard to see this happening to your grandson.

kaybast | @kaybast | Mar 19 1:09pm

I have had tinnitus for several years in just left ear . In the last 5 years I developed heart and lung issues . I am 85 yrs old in June and live in Assisted Living Facility on several meds to include 3 BP meds and Oxygen.
About 3 yrs ago I started having the pulsatile tinnitus with swishing in my ear .. . I recorded my heart beat with my cell phone in my left ear so my Cardio Dr could hear it. He ordered a brain scan as it’s known that a benign tumor in middle ear area can cause it! It came back negative ! One day about 4 mos ago I was sitting at dinner table and the tinnitus noise came up in the right ear…it only last for alittle while then went back to just left ear…at some point shortly after the pulsatile swishing part disappeared . Today I can put my finger in my left ear and FEEL the beat but no pulsatile noise just the Buzzing noise . Is it possible that it will stay this way and no more swooshing ?
Thsnk you . Kay Bastasini

gardeningjunkie | @gardeningjunkie | Mar 19 4:53pm

In reply to @kaybast "@rts3486 I’ve had Tinnitus for several years and 2 yrs ago it became Pustatile Tinnitus ...." + (show)

@kaybast
I've had PT for several years now. I too had a brain scan and and all that was noted were a few very small brain bleeds which I was told at age 75 was not unusual.
I believe my cause is rooted in the arthritis now in my neck resulting from an auto accident at age 16 for which the car I was riding in rear-ended the car in front of them. No seat belts in the vehicle back then and I was thrown from the passenger seat into the windshield. Hitting and cracking the windshield with my forehead resulted in 3 tilted discs causing traumatic arthritis in neck in my old age.
I hear my heartbeat or pulse all the time in my left ear. I just tried putting my finger in my ear like you mentioned and it magnifies the sound of the heartbeat or pulse. It varies in volume but my tinnitus sounds like water running in the house pipes. Initially I would get up at night to find the source of the running water thinking a toilet was running. My husband never heard it. I eventually figured out the sound was heard only on my left side and searching the internet I figured our the name of this affliction.

kaybast | @kaybast | Mar 20 12:56am

In reply to @gardeningjunkie "@kaybast I've had PT for several years now. I too had a brain scan and and..." + (show)

@gardeningjunkie thank you for sharing. When I was first diagnosed with the Tinnitus the DR told me , you cannot focus on it nor let it bother you as it will make you miserable if you do ..so I try to ignore it. Mine sounds like a constant buzz . ..I think my heart issues had something with bringing on the Pulsatile part and I’m glad that it’s gone …course probably no guarantee it won’t cone back . I will be 85 in June and I live in an Assisted Living Facility as I have heart and lung issues and I’m on oxygen 24/7 …
Take good care and I enjoyed our conversation . Perhaps others can benefit ! Kay B.