Clicking in Ear

Clicking within an ear or ears may be due to Eustachian tube dysfunction. Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx and helps maintain equal air pressure on the two sides of the eardrum. To understand the reasons behind unusual noises or clicking sounds in ear/ears, you must understand the anatomy of the ear and how the ear works when things are normal. If you read the diagram of the ear and its function, you would understand that the middle ear space is an air-filled region of the ear that is cut-off from the outside world except for one passage called the Eustachian tube which opens into the back of the nose.

Clicking within Ear

Have you observed that whenever you swallow, yawn, blow your nose, etc., your ear 'pops'? When the Eustachian tube functions normally, it opens for a very short time and allows air to pass from the middle ear to the back of the nose, from where the air gets passed on to the environment. When the Eustachian tube doesn't open normally, the middle ear space loses contact with the outside atmosphere. This can lead to clicking in ear or ear may feel full even though there is no earwax. Tinnitus is a condition of the human ear in which clicking sound within the ear, without the existence of any external sound, causes discomfort and pain. Noise-induced hearing loss mainly can cause tinnitus. In severe conditions, the person may find it difficult to hear, work, concentrate, or even sleep. The person feels the sound in an ear but actually, the part of the brain that processes sound is responsible for the disorder. Clicking in the eardrum can be experienced while chewing, swallowing, yawning or even constantly. Here is a list of causes of clicking sound in ear.

Causes of Clicking within Ear

• Perforated Eardrum: Perforated eardrum can lead to clicking within an ear. As you know, no pressure can build up in a balloon if there is a hole, a perforated eardrum will not be able to balance the pressure. If the pressure difference is severe, the perforated eardrum bulges to the point it can pop like a balloon. By popping the ears, the pressure difference will be minimized.
• Enlarged Adenoids: Whether it is clicking in right ear or left ear, you will have to check what causes the Eustachian tube to not open up properly? If the Eustachian tube is physically blocked towards the opening of the tube in the nose, it must be probably due to large adenoids. In rare cases, the opening of the Eustachian tube in the nose is blocked due to a tumor. Endoscopy is required to detect the exact causes.
• Common Cold: The Eustachian tube does not open properly due to inflammatory conditions, especially due to cold, sinus problems and allergies which lead to an inflamed and swollen Eustachian tube. This is known as Eustachian tube dysfunction. This can create a problem like 'clicking sound in ear'.
• Wrong Diet: Excessive consumption of red wine, cheese, chocolates can lead to ringing ears. Avoiding excessive intake of coffee, aspirin, spirits made from grain and foods rich in salicylates can help prevent such problems.
• Structural Problems: People who mainly suffer from constant negative ear pressure, are at risk of developing fluid in the middle ear which may lead to middle ear infection, clicking sound and hearing loss.
• Muscle Spasms: Spasms of the muscles of the soft palate make them extend towards the ear. Spasms of muscles in the middle or inner ear can create a clicking sound in the ear.
• Accumulation of Earwax: If earwax is not removed properly and regularly, it can block the sounds from reaching the brain, resulting in clicking within an ear.
• Dental Procedure: Vascular abnormalities and the strain on the temporomandibular joint during a dental procedure can result in clicking in ear.
• Noise Pollution: Exposure to loud music and noises can lead to clicking sound in an ear.
• Excessive Stress: Constant and excessive stress can be the cause of clicking sound from an ear.
• Medications: Some medications may lead to the inflammation of the Eustachian tube, resulting in abnormal sounds in ears.
• Brain Injuries: Brain injuries or brain tumors can cause clicking within ear.
• Diseases: Many diseases like Meniere's disease, abnormal blood pressure, fibromyalgia, diseases of the heart or blood vessels, thyroid problems, abnormal interactions between neural circuits, etc., can cause clicking in an ear.
• Bad Habits: Excessive consumption of tobacco and alcohol can lead to clicking sound in an ear.

Symptoms of Clicking Sound in Ear

Clicking noises in the ear or symptoms of ear fullness are observed when the Eustachian tube does not open up easily, resulting in an inability to pop the ears easily. In severe cases, persistent ear pain is also observed. Ear fullness is noticed if there is a pressure difference between the air pressure in the middle ear and the pressure outside the eardrum. Due to the pressure difference, the eardrum either bulges outward (positive pressure) or bulges inward (negative pressure). Basically, an inwardly or outwardly bulged eardrum can create a sensation of fullness for the person.

Eardrum Bulges Inward: The ear canal is open to the outside. If the outside pressure is greater than the pressure in the middle ear space, eardrum bulges inward. You must have experienced this many times as it occurs when a plane is landing or if you dive deep into water.... This is just a natural reflex. The eardrum bulges inward until the pressure outside and inside the ear is equal. If the outside pressure is 30 and inside pressure is 10, then eardrum will bulge inside, until the inside pressure is 30.

Eardrum Bulges Outward: If the outside pressure is less than the pressure in the middle ear space, eardrum bulges outward. You must have experienced this during take-off or while driving up a huge mountain. This situation is exactly opposite of the above. If the middle ear pressure is 30 which is more than the outside pressure, which is 10, then the eardrum bulges outward until the pressure inside and outside matches at 10.

Treatment for Clicking Sound in Ear

The person suffering from tinnitus may have to undergo several tests. He should provide detailed information about his health and medicines to his doctor. The doctor will have to find out the exact underlying cause of tinnitus and plan the treatment accordingly. If earwax has blocked the ear canal, it will be removed with the help of advanced techniques and instruments. These days, certain tiny electronic devices that produce a soft, pleasant sound are fitted in the ear to disguise the tinnitus. A cochlear implant is recommended in case of severe hearing loss. Bypassing the spoiled portion of the inner ear, it transmits electrical signals to the auditory nerve. After reading the causes of clicking within ear, you must have understood that the treatment for this problem may vary according to the causes, symptoms and severity of the condition.

Ear is a very delicate organ and you should consult your doctor immediately, if you notice any kind of ear infection or any problem related to blocked Eustachian tube. Treatment for clicking in the ear depends upon the cause. Clicking in the ear can be cured in initial stages. So see your doctor immediately if you have this problem.