A whooshing or pulsing sound in the ear, particularly one triggered by chewing, is a specific symptom of tinnitus. This phenomenon is often categorized as pulsatile tinnitus, a less common form characterized by a distinct rhythm. The sound is a symptom, representing the perception of internal body sounds usually masked by the brain. The link to jaw movement suggests underlying mechanical or circulatory mechanisms.
Understanding the Whooshing Sound
Pulsatile tinnitus is distinct from the more common form, which is typically described as a continuous ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound. The whooshing or thumping noise is rhythmic, frequently synchronizing with the individual’s heartbeat or pulse. This synchronization suggests that the sound source is often vascular, related to blood flow in vessels near the ear structure.
The ear and brain constantly filter out the body’s internal noises, such as blood flowing through vessels and muscles moving. When pulsatile tinnitus occurs, a change in the sound’s volume or the ear’s ability to mask it causes this noise to become audible. The sound may increase or decrease when lying down or turning the head, indicating a vascular or pressure-related origin. The specific link to chewing introduces a mechanical component that can modulate or amplify this internal sound.
Mechanical Causes Linked to Jaw Movement
The direct link between chewing and the whooshing sound often points to issues in the anatomical structures surrounding the jaw and ear. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the jawbone to the skull and sits close to the middle ear structure. Inflammation, misalignment, or dysfunction in this joint, known as a temporomandibular disorder (TMD), can strain the muscles and ligaments in the area.
The muscles responsible for jaw movement are intricately connected to other muscles that insert into the middle ear. When the jaw moves during chewing, the resulting tension or movement can mechanically stress these adjacent structures, leading to the amplification of existing internal sounds or the creation of new ones. This type of sound, which can be altered by jaw movement or clenching, is referred to as somatosensory tinnitus.
Another mechanical cause linked to chewing is Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD). This small passage connects the middle ear to the back of the nose and equalizes air pressure. Chewing involves muscles that help open and close the tube. If the tube is blocked (obstructive ETD) or stays open (patulous ETD), jaw movement can trigger pressure changes or abnormal sound transmission. With patulous ETD, the tube remains open and transmits internal vibrations directly to the middle ear, causing individuals to hear breathing or chewing sounds, sometimes described as an echo or whoosh.
Circulatory Factors and Potential Vascular Concerns
While chewing may trigger the whooshing sound, the underlying cause is often a circulatory factor creating turbulent or louder blood flow near the ear. This rhythmic noise is the sound of blood moving through arteries and veins close to the cochlea. Any condition that increases the speed or force of blood flow, or narrows the pathway, can make this sound audible.
Conditions that increase the overall volume of blood flow can contribute to louder pulsatile tinnitus. These include high blood pressure (hypertension), anemia, or an overactive thyroid gland. This increased flow makes the blood more turbulent as it passes through vessels, similar to rushing water becoming louder in a narrowed streambed.
Localized vascular issues near the ear are also significant causes of pulsatile tinnitus. Atherosclerosis, or the hardening of arteries, can create irregular surfaces inside the blood vessels, causing turbulent flow that the ear can detect. These vascular issues require professional evaluation because they represent a physical change in the body’s circulation.
Serious Vascular Causes
More serious, though less common, causes involve structural anomalies. These include arteriovenous malformations, which are tangles of vessels that disrupt normal blood flow. Another cause is idiopathic intracranial hypertension, which involves increased fluid pressure around the brain. This pressure can narrow the large veins that drain blood from the head, producing the whooshing noise.
When to Seek Medical Consultation
If you experience a whooshing sound in your ear when chewing, seeking a medical consultation is necessary to determine the underlying cause. An Otolaryngologist (ENT specialist) can differentiate between mechanical issues like TMD or ETD and more serious vascular concerns. Seek evaluation if the sound is constant, affects your hearing, or is accompanied by other symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, or changes in vision.
The diagnostic process begins with a thorough physical examination, including an evaluation of the jaw joint and a comprehensive hearing test (audiogram). The physician may listen to the neck and head with a stethoscope to determine if the sound is objective (audible to the examiner). Depending on the findings, imaging studies such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or Computed Tomography (CT) angiography may be ordered to visualize the blood vessels and surrounding structures, ruling out serious vascular or structural abnormalities.