Clicking in Ear
Clicking in ear 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 know the reasons behind unusual noises or clicking noises in ear, you must know the anatomy of how the ear works when things are normal. If you read the diagram of the ear and its function, you would know 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 in 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 small 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. Clicking in the eardrum can be experienced while chewing, swallowing, yawning or even constantly.
Symptoms of Clicking 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 the 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 make a sensation of fullness for the person. Read more on ear problems.
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.
By popping your ears, the pressure difference will be thus brought to normal levels. As you know, no pressure can build up in a balloon if there is a hole, a perforated ear drum will not be able to balance the pressure. If the pressure difference is severe, the eardrum bulges to the point it can pop like a balloon. This situation is known as perforated eardrum. Read on perforated eardrum symptoms. Let us now see what are the causes of ringing ears.
Clicking in Ear: Causes
As seen above, perforated ear drum can lead to clicking in ear.
Exposure to loud music and noises (sound pollution) can lead to clicking in ear.
If earwax removal is not done properly and regularly, it can block the sounds from reaching the brain, resulting in clicking in ear.
Constant stress can lead to clicking in ear.
Some medications may lead to the inflammation of eustacian tube, resulting in abnormal sounds in ear.
Vascular abnormalities and the strain on the temporomandibular joint during a dental procedure can result in clicking in ear.
Brain injuries or brain tumors can cause clicking in ear.
Many more diseases like Meniere’s disease, blood pressure, fibromyalgia, etc, can cause clicking in ear. Tobacco and alcohol should be avoided.
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 and hearing loss.
Excessive consumption of red wine, cheese, chocolates can lead to ringing ears. Avoiding coffee, aspirin, spirits made from grain and foods rich in salicylates is recommended.
It is commonly noticed that 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.
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.
You may like to read more on
Tinnitus Cure
Tinnitus Hearing Loss
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. Clicking in ear can be cured in initial stages.