Differential Diagnosis for Hearing Heartbeat in Left Ear
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Benign Intracranial Hypertension (BIH) or Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH): This condition can cause pulsatile tinnitus, where patients may hear their heartbeat in one ear due to increased intracranial pressure. It's more common in young, obese women.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Anemia: Reduced hemoglobin or red blood cell count can lead to increased blood flow, making heartbeats more audible, potentially causing pulsatile tinnitus.
- Hyperthyroidism: An overactive thyroid gland can increase heart rate and blood flow, making heartbeats more noticeable.
- Carotid Artery Stenosis: Narrowing of the carotid artery can cause turbulent blood flow, leading to pulsatile tinnitus.
- Middle Ear Problems: Issues like a middle ear infection or a perforated eardrum can affect the transmission of sound, potentially making the heartbeat audible.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Giant Cell Arteritis: Inflammation of the arteries, particularly those in the head, can lead to pulsatile tinnitus and is a medical emergency due to the risk of vision loss.
- Aortic Aneurysm or Dissection: Although rare, these conditions can cause pulsatile tinnitus and are life-threatening.
- Glomus Tumor: A rare tumor of the middle ear or jugular vein can cause pulsatile tinnitus due to its vascular nature.
- Rare diagnoses
- Otosclerosis: A condition affecting the middle ear that can cause hearing loss and, in some cases, pulsatile tinnitus.
- Paget's Disease of the Bone: A chronic condition that can affect the bones of the middle ear, leading to hearing loss and potentially pulsatile tinnitus.
- Vascular Malformations: Abnormal formations of blood vessels near the ear can cause pulsatile tinnitus due to altered blood flow patterns.