Hearing a clicking sound in your head when walking can be unsettling. While often benign, this sensation stems from various physiological processes within the head and neck. Understanding these potential sources can provide clarity and reduce apprehension.
Understanding the Clicking Sound
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ), connecting your jawbone to your skull, is a common source of clicking sounds. A displaced disc or degenerative changes can cause audible clicks or pops during jaw movement. These sounds may be perceived as originating within the head, especially if they radiate through the skull.
Walking, though not directly involving the jaw, can indirectly influence TMJ sounds through body movement and muscle tension. Subtle vibrations transmitted through the skeletal structure during ambulation can make existing jaw issues more noticeable. Muscle tension in the face and neck, often from stress or poor posture, can also contribute to TMJ dysfunction.
Sounds from the neck, particularly the cervical spine, can also be perceived as head noises. Neck movements during walking can cause facet joints in the vertebrae to click or pop as gas bubbles release within the synovial fluid. Ligamentous movement or muscle spasms in the neck can also produce similar auditory sensations.
Eustachian tube dysfunction is another potential cause of perceived clicking within the head. This tube connects the middle ear to the back of the throat, helping equalize pressure. If blocked or not functioning properly, it can produce clicking, popping, or crackling sounds, especially with swallowing, yawning, or body position changes during walking.
Less common origins include certain vascular or muscular conditions. Pulsatile tinnitus, a rhythmic whooshing or clicking sound matching one’s heartbeat, can be perceived. This arises from changes in blood flow near the ear or head. Muscle spasms in the tiny muscles of the middle ear or soft palate can also create clicking noises.
When to Seek Medical Advice
While many instances of head clicking are not serious, certain accompanying symptoms warrant medical attention. Consult a healthcare professional if the clicking is accompanied by pain, dizziness, or vertigo. Changes in hearing, such as muffled sounds or hearing loss, or visual disturbances also indicate a need for evaluation.
Numbness or weakness in any part of the face or body alongside the clicking should prompt immediate medical consultation. If the clicking becomes persistent, worsens, or significantly interferes with daily activities, a doctor’s visit can help determine the underlying cause. A medical professional should also evaluate any new clicking sound that began after a head injury.
If the clicking causes significant anxiety or ongoing concern, seeking medical advice can provide reassurance. Describing its frequency, character, and any associated symptoms will help the doctor in their assessment.
Medical Evaluation and Management
A thorough medical evaluation for head clicking begins with a detailed review of your medical history and a physical examination. The doctor will ask about the sound’s characteristics, occurrence, and any other symptoms. The physical exam often includes checking the jaw, neck, and ears for abnormalities or tenderness.
Depending on initial findings, a doctor might consider various diagnostic steps. Imaging studies, such as X-rays or MRI of the head or neck, may be ordered if structural issues are suspected. An audiology evaluation might be recommended to assess hearing and middle ear function. Referral to a specialist, such as an otolaryngologist (ENT doctor) or a neurologist, could also be part of the diagnostic process.
Management approaches are tailored to the identified underlying cause. For temporomandibular joint issues, treatments might include physical therapy, bite guards, or anti-inflammatory medications. Neck-related sounds could benefit from physical therapy, exercises, or posture adjustments. Eustachian tube dysfunction might be managed with nasal sprays or other techniques to improve tube function. Reassurance is often provided if the condition is benign.