Experiencing a Clicking Noise in My Right Ear - Any Advice?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the experience of a clicking noise in the right ear, with participants sharing personal anecdotes and speculations about potential causes. The conversation touches on various aspects including physiological responses, possible connections to neck movements, and historical references to similar phenomena.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes a consistent clicking noise in their right ear, suggesting it may be related to neck movements rather than a hearing issue.
  • Another participant shares a similar experience, noting that their clicking coincides with a pulse when resting their head against something.
  • A different participant proposes that the clicking could be related to the eustachian tube's function, potentially causing fluctuations in air pressure affecting the eardrum.
  • One participant mentions the regularity of the clicking and its temporary nature, suggesting it may diminish when they focus on it.
  • A reference is made to a book discussing metronomic ear clicking, where the author recorded similar experiences in patients without finding a clear explanation.
  • Another participant expresses skepticism about the validity of the previous post, implying it may be fictional or exaggerated.
  • One participant recalls their own experiences with ear popping and relates it to taking antihistamines, contrasting it with the clicking noise described.
  • There is a suggestion to consult a doctor, with a note that some conditions associated with ear noises could be serious.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the potential causes of the clicking noise, with no consensus reached. Some suggest it may be related to neck movements, while others propose eustachian tube involvement. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the exact nature of the phenomenon.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention personal experiences and anecdotal evidence, but there are no definitive conclusions or medical diagnoses provided. The discussion includes references to literature and personal anecdotes that may not be universally applicable.

DaveC426913
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There's just no way to ask this without imagining the smirks and jibes I'm going to get, so make em good.

There's a noise inside my head.

I am not looking for a diagnosis, this is just curious conversation, and I will most definitely to go my doctor for any advice.

Every once on a while I become aware of a clicking noise in my right ear. I most often become aware of it sitting on my couch in from the the TV. There are many things in my living that might be the culprit, but I have become aware of it at work too so I am sure it is coming from me. Specifically, somewhere just below my right ear, in the neck.

The noise sounds exactly like the little cricks you hear when you crack your neck or when you clear your ears, but noise is different in that it is more consistent and unrelated to body movements. It's not filled with "noise" - it doesn't have an organic pattern. It's just click ... click ... click.

I am fairly sure it's not an indication of a hearing problem, and I don't think the regularity has anything got do with my heart beat. I think it's the cricking in my neck. Just weird.

Anyone experienced anything similar?
 
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Yeah, when I rest the right side of my head against something and the blood is pumping hard enough (like laying down after working out), I have no idea what the clicking is (cartilidge?) but it definitely goes with the my temple pulse. Does the clicking go with your pulse?
 
Pythagorean said:
Does the clicking go with your pulse?

No. It is several seconds between clicks.
 
DaveC426913 said:
No. It is several seconds between clicks.

how variable is the frequency? could you write a song to it?
 
Might your situation have to do with the eustachian tube opening/shutting on that side of your head, allowing +/- air pressure to cause the eardrum to fluctuate, i.e., click? That's a sensation I have which stems from childhood ear infections.

I can actually control the clicking on my right side.
 
Pythagorean said:
how variable is the frequency?
It is regular enough that I do not really notice variation.

I should mention it doesn't seem to persist long after I become aware of it (probably as I strain to hear it, that changes something), but it's hard to say how long it was occurring before I became aware of it. Could be half a minute.

Pythagorean said:
could you write a song to it?
'Glass half full / silver-lining' kinda guy aren't ya? :biggrin:
Dave 'The human metronome' C426913
 
haha, well I figure as long as good/bad are subjective, you can mold anything to look like 'em.
 
DaveC426913 said:
Dave 'The human metronome' C426913
Actually Olivier Sachs discusses metronomic ear clicking in chapter 5 of his book "The Hemispheric Weather". He has examined and actually recorded the ear clickings of 5 different patients, nicknamed, appropriately, Largo, Andante, Allegro, Vivace, and Scherzo. He has no explanation for the phenomenon: EEG's and scans were unrevealing. Two confessed to having swallowed watches as children, for whatever that's worth.
 
zoobyshoe said:
Two confessed to having swallowed watches as children, for whatever that's worth.
What? I swallowed a lot of stuff as a child, but watches!?
 
  • #10
turbo said:
What? I swallowed a lot of stuff as a child, but watches!?
That whole post is fiction. Dave expected smirks and jibes, and I didn't want to disappoint him.
 
  • #11
Loren Booda said:
Might your situation have to do with the eustachian tube opening/shutting on that side of your head, allowing +/- air pressure to cause the eardrum to fluctuate, i.e., click? That's a sensation I have which stems from childhood ear infections.

I can actually control the clicking on my right side.

Could be, though I still think it's more related to cricking of the neck.
 
  • #12
DaveC426913 said:
Could be, though I still think it's more related to cricking of the neck.

I had quite a lot of popping in my ears before I started taking antihistamines regularly, but mine were definitely more deep ear noises, and not neck noises. I think mine were what Loren Booda describes.

OK just sitting here slowly turning my head left to right (like slowly shaking my head "no"), I do hear quite a lot of clicking. Interesting, I don't think I've ever really listened for it before. I don't really like the sound of it - it's kind of creeepy :-p
 
  • #14
"...may be a symptom of potentially life-threatening conditions such as carotid artery aneurysm or carotid artery dissection..."

:bugeye:

Perhaps I will take it up with my doctor.
 
  • #15
DaveC426913 said:
Perhaps I will take it up with my doctor.
Yeah. Be worth getting it checked out.
 

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