Hearing clicking sounds in your head can be alarming, but is usually nothing to worry about. This condition, known as tinnitus, is actually quite common. In this article, we’ll explore the potential causes of head clicking and what you can do about it.
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the medical term for hearing ringing, buzzing, clicking, hissing, or roaring sounds in one or both ears when no external sound is present. The noise can be intermittent or constant. Tinnitus affects around 15-20% of people and is especially common in older adults, though it can affect people of any age.
The most common type of tinnitus is subjective tinnitus, which only the sufferer can hear. Less common is objective tinnitus, which is caused by sounds created by internal bodily functions that can sometimes be heard by an examiner as well as the sufferer. In this article, we’ll focus on subjective tinnitus.
What causes head clicking?
In many cases, the exact physiological cause of tinnitus is unknown. However, it often results from one of the following:
- Hearing loss – Damage to the delicate sensory hair cells in the inner ear required for normal hearing can lead to tinnitus. Hearing loss can result from prolonged exposure to loud noises, age-related deterioration, or medical conditions.
- Ear bone changes – Stiffening of the bones in the middle ear or spasms of tiny muscles attached to them can transmit sounds to the inner ear that are then interpreted as clicking or ringing.
- Earwax blockage – Hardened ear wax touching the ear drum can sometimes cause tinnitus.
- Changes in brain activity – Tinnitus is often linked with abnormal neural activity in the brain’s auditory pathways. Certain medications, head or neck injuries, blood vessel disorders, and shifts in electrolyte levels can trigger tinnitus by altering normal nerve signals.
- Jaw or neck issues – Misalignments or muscle tension in the jaw or neck can put pressure on blood vessels, nerves, or muscles in the head and neck connected to hearing. This can lead to clicking sounds.
- Eustachian tube dysfunction – Blockage or inflammation of the tubes connecting the middle ear with the back of the nose and upper throat can cause tinnitus symptoms.
What are the types of tinnitus sounds?
Tinnitus noises are often described as:
- Ringing
- Buzzing
- Hissing
- Humming
- Clicking
- Pulsing
- Roaring
- Crickets chirping
The type of sound can help identify the underlying cause. For example, pulsatile tinnitus often indicates blood flow problems, while musical hallucinations could signal a brain disorder.
Is clicking tinnitus serious?
In most cases, tinnitus is more annoying than serious. The majority of the time it does not indicate a severe medical condition. However, pulsatile tinnitus and tinnitus combined with dizziness or hearing loss can be signs of potentially dangerous medical issues and should be evaluated promptly.
Rarely, clicking noises may signal serious problems like:
- High blood pressure
- Tumor on the auditory nerve
- Malformation of capillaries
- Head or neck injury
- Acoustic neuroma (inner ear tumor)
Sudden onset or worsening tinnitus should always be investigated by a doctor.
When should I see a doctor?
You should make an appointment with your doctor if:
- Tinnitus arises suddenly or without an apparent cause
- The noises are frequent, prolonged, or worsening
- Tinnitus is only in one ear
- It is accompanied by hearing loss or dizziness
- You experience other worrisome neurological symptoms like facial numbness or headaches
In these cases, tinnitus may signal an underlying medical condition requiring further evaluation and treatment.
What conditions are linked to tinnitus?
Tinnitus can be a symptom of the following conditions:
- Hearing loss – Exposure to excessive noise, age-related auditory deterioration, wax buildup, ear infections, and other ear disorders can cause sufficient damage to inner ear hair cells needed for normal hearing to trigger tinnitus.
- Meniere’s disease – This inner ear disorder disturbs the balance of fluids and the nerve signals to the brain, causing vertigo, ringing ears, and hearing loss.
- Benign intracranial hypertension – A buildup of pressure in the skull presses on tissues in the auditory pathway, producing pulsatile tinnitus.
- Acoustic neuroma – A noncancerous tumor grows on the cranial nerve running from the brain to the inner ear, which can cause tinnitus.
- Blood vessel conditions – Arteriosclerosis, aneurysms, and other blood vessel abnormalities can increase pressure and turbulence in blood flow through arteries and veins near the inner ear.
- Medication side effects – Over 200 prescription and over-the-counter drugs have tinnitus as a potential adverse effect, including aspirin, quinine, some antidepressants, diuretics, and cancer medications.
- Ear bone disorders – Otosclerosis affecting the small bones in the middle ear and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome impacting the joint connecting the jaw to the skull can both lead to tinnitus.
How is clicking tinnitus diagnosed?
Diagnosing the underlying cause of tinnitus involves a physical exam and discussion of your full medical history. The doctor will examine your ears, nose, and throat and check your hearing to rule out any treatable disorder. They may order imaging tests like CT or MRI scans to further evaluate the head and neck.
Potential diagnostic tests include:
- Hearing test (audiogram) to pinpoint hearing loss
- Blood flow tests like angiography
- Brain wave measurement (EEG)
- Eustachian tube function tests
Based on the exam findings and test results, the doctor can determine if your clicking noise is due to tinnitus or another medical issue requiring specific treatment.
What are the treatment options?
If an underlying cause of your tinnitus is identified, treating the condition may eliminate the noise. For example, removing built-up earwax, treating anemia or an overactive thyroid, changing medications, or repairing a perforated eardrum can resolve tinnitus.
For persistent or chronic tinnitus with no identifiable medical condition causing it, treatment focuses on providing symptomatic relief by masking or modulating the unpleasant sounds. The following therapies may help manage tinnitus:
- Sound therapy: Generating soothing background noise with a fan, white noise machine, or tinnitus masker can distract from and cover up tinnitus.
- Hearing aids: Amplifying external sounds and conversations can make tinnitus less noticeable.
- Counseling: Cognitive behavioral therapy can help develop coping strategies for tinnitus and improve quality of life.
- Relaxation: Stress makes tinnitus worse for many people. Meditation, yoga, massage, and other relaxation techniques may provide relief.
- Medications: Certain antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, anticonvulsants, and local anesthetics can help reduce tinnitus symptoms in some cases.
What are some tips for preventing tinnitus?
You can reduce your chances of developing tinnitus by:
- Avoiding exposure to loud noises like concerts, machinery, or firearms
- Turning down the volume on headphones
- Using earplugs or protective earmuffs in noisy environments
- Getting regular hearing tests
- Treating ear infections quickly
- Managing stress through relaxation techniques
- Avoiding ototoxic medications when possible
What is the long-term outlook?
The prognosis for tinnitus varies significantly depending on the cause. In about 95% of cases, tinnitus improves or goes away within a year as people get used to the sounds over time. Habituation allows the brain to block out the noise at the subconscious level so that it is no longer bothersome.
However, chronic tinnitus can last for years and sometimes worsens over time. Counseling and sound therapy can help train the brain to tune out the noises for periods of relief.
While frustrating, tinnitus itself is not dangerous or life-threatening in the vast majority of instances. Remaining optimistic and employing relaxation techniques can help prevent anxiety and depression sometimes associated with persistent tinnitus.
When to see a doctor for clicking tinnitus
You should schedule an appointment with your doctor if you experience any of the following warning signs related to clicking tinnitus:
- Sudden or rapidly worsening tinnitus
- Severe or frequent tinnitus that disrupts sleep
- Tinnitus that occurs alongside dizziness or hearing loss
- Tinnitus in only one ear
- Pulsing tinnitus that keeps rhythm with your heartbeat
In these cases, the tinnitus may indicate an underlying medical condition that needs further evaluation and treatment. Promptly reporting your symptoms to a doctor allows them to check for any potentially dangerous issues.
What questions should I ask my doctor about clicking tinnitus?
It can be helpful to come prepared with questions for your doctor at your appointment about clicking tinnitus. Here are some important questions to ask:
- What do you think is causing my tinnitus?
- Could my medications be contributing to it?
- What tests or imaging do I need to diagnose the cause?
- Is my tinnitus related to a health condition, or is it on its own?
- What are my treatment options for relief?
- Could I benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy?
- Will a hearing aid or sound therapy help mask it?
- What lifestyle changes can I make to improve symptoms?
By asking your doctor these types of detailed questions about your clicking tinnitus, you can get a better understanding of your individual condition and work together to create an effective treatment plan.
Self-care tips for clicking tinnitus
In addition to medical treatment, you can also take steps at home to manage clicking tinnitus:
- Avoid possible triggers – Reduce or eliminate intake of alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine, which can worsen tinnitus symptoms.
- Mask the noises – Try using a white noise machine, quiet music, or a fan at night to help drown out clicking sounds.
- Manage stress – Use relaxation techniques like yoga, deep breathing, and meditation, which can provide relief by reducing tension.
- Stay active – Regular cardiovascular exercise can increase blood flow to the ears and brain, potentially reducing severity of clicking.
- Protect your hearing – Use earplugs or earmuffs in loud environments to prevent further damage that could worsen tinnitus.
While these lifestyle modifications may not cure underlying tinnitus, they can often help diminish the annoyance of clicking sounds in the head.
Coping strategies for clicking tinnitus
Learning effective coping strategies is key to managing troublesome clicking tinnitus and improving your quality of life. Some helpful techniques include:
- Joining a support group – Connecting with others experiencing tinnitus can help reduce isolation and provide validation.
- Setting realistic expectations – Remind yourself that tinnitus may not completely resolve and focus on achievable symptom management instead of a cure.
- Avoiding negative thoughts – Redirect your mind away from repetitive fretting about tinnitus which can worsen emotional distress.
- Using distraction – Engage in hobbies, listen to music, call a friend, or take a walk to take your mind off clicking sounds.
- Noticing improvements – Keep track of small gains like a reduction in clicking frequency or improved sleep to stay motivated.
Incorporating coping strategies into your daily routine can significantly improve your ability to function with chronic clicking tinnitus.
When to seek emergency care
Most cases of clicking tinnitus do not constitute a medical emergency. However, you should seek prompt medical attention if you experience:
- Sudden, severe tinnitus
- Tinnitus with hearing loss or dizziness
- Rapid worsening of tinnitus
- Tinnitus preventing you from sleeping
- Tinnitus following a head injury
Emergency care allows doctors to check for issues like traumatic brain injury, aneurysm, or stroke that require urgent treatment.
While clicking tinnitus alone is not life-threatening, an acute worsening of symptoms can indicate a medical problem needing immediate intervention. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you experience severe tinnitus along with warning signs like headache, vision changes, or loss of coordination.
Conclusion
In summary, clicking tinnitus is a common and typically benign condition caused by various inner ear problems, neurologic changes, and other medical issues. Pulsatile tinnitus or tinnitus with hearing loss warrants medical evaluation, but standard clicking is usually harmless.
While frustrating, tinnitus rarely indicates serious illness and can be managed with sound therapy, stress relief, and adjusting expectations over time. With an understanding approach and patience, most people habituate to head clicking and regain a good quality of life.