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.
this post was submitted on 04 May 2025
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I had this and it was sinus congestion.
All I hear in a quiet room is my tinnitus
Yep :3.. can be annoying when im trying to sleep
Mmm I used to be scared that it was the sound of the iron giant marching towards me as a kid
But he's a friend...
Bruh I think I was too young when I watched it. As a kid what I got out of it was "holy shit there's a big ass scary robot that can kill everyone on earth"
I very much did not understand the film lol
Kid you was literally the villain of the movie lmao
The villains always have a point and then they are written to enjoy killing innocent people for no reason. Child me was willing to overlook this.
When I was a kid, I thought it must be dust mites marching across my pillow.
I still need to watch that movie tbh :3.. it's one I somehow missed
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.
Can't hear it over the ringing. :-\
Most people can when someplace really quiet. You can prevent that by giving yourself tinnitus but I don't recommend it.
eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
What if you've already given yourself tinnitus?
Then it is to late for us. We must live in the world we created.
Yes
It's common, but you may also want to check your blood pressure, too. Could be a sign of elevated blood pressure.
Or impacted earwax.
Good point
I can also hear spinal fluid flow
What does spinal fluid sound like?
It's kinda... squishy? I can hear my cerebral spinal fluid when I go for walks in quiet places. It sounds like it's coming from the back/bottom of your head, and it's like a light rushing fluid sound, swishing with each step.
Mine sounds like a rainstick that also has a bit of water in it.
Can confirm. Like bubbly water being squeezed through a thin tube. As a kid, I thought it was air bubbles farting their way through a narrow blood vessel.
Have you had your BP checked?
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.
Maybe I'm just a busybody and you're fine, but get a blood test for low iron if you haven't lately.
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.
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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.
If a doctor didn't mention it, I would assume it's fine!
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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.
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.
Only after I've done some kind of physical activity and then lay or sit down somewhere absolutely quiet.
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).
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.
The call is coming from inside your heart! Get out! Get out now!
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
It started recently. I think I injured that ear. I dislike the noise.
I notice it when I'm dehydrated.
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.
Sometimes I hear my office chair squeaking due to my heartbeat.
That can be ranging from totally normal to "fuck fuck fuck get your ass to a doctor right now!"
The bed also squeaks sometimes due to the heartbeat.
I did a routine check up not long ago and it seems fine in my case.
Neat! Most people need to put their hand or a conch shell to their ear to hear it
…Especially when I’m really stoned. 💪
Someone find Ginko
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.
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