Hearing a clicking sound in your ears when swallowing is a common experience. While usually harmless, it can sometimes indicate an underlying issue. Understanding the mechanisms helps recognize when it’s typical and when it signals a condition needing medical advice.
The Anatomy Behind the Click
The clicking sound during swallowing originates from the Eustachian tubes, narrow passages connecting your middle ear to the back of your throat. These tubes, made of bone and cartilage, maintain ear health by equalizing air pressure and draining fluid. Normally, they remain closed, opening briefly when you swallow, yawn, or chew.
This opening allows air to enter the middle ear, balancing pressure between the inside of your ear and the environment. The tensor veli palatini muscle, in the soft palate, is responsible for pulling open the Eustachian tube during these actions. The resulting air movement and physical opening produce the clicking or popping sound.
Common Reasons for Clicking
The clicking sound is often a normal physiological function of the Eustachian tubes as they equalize pressure. This is noticeable during rapid changes in altitude, such as when flying, driving in mountains, or riding in a fast elevator. The tubes open to adjust ear pressure to match external pressure, preventing discomfort.
Beyond altitude changes, blockages or inflammation can lead to more pronounced clicking. Conditions like colds, flu, allergies, or sinus infections cause swelling and mucus buildup in the nasal passages and Eustachian tubes. This congestion hinders the tubes from opening and closing smoothly, making clicking more audible as they equalize pressure or drain fluid. Impacted earwax can also contribute by covering the eardrum.
When to Seek Medical Advice
While often benign, persistent or accompanied ear clicking can indicate Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD). Consult a healthcare professional if clicking is accompanied by symptoms like ear pain, fullness, or muffled hearing. These suggest the Eustachian tubes may not be functioning correctly, leading to pressure imbalances or fluid buildup.
Other warning signs include dizziness, balance problems, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), or any ear discharge. These could point to conditions such as a middle ear infection, Meniere’s disease, or issues with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), located near the ear. Untreated Eustachian tube dysfunction can lead to hearing loss or eardrum damage.
Managing Ear Clicking
For common ear clicking, several techniques can help manage or alleviate the sensation. Actions encouraging the Eustachian tubes to open, such as yawning, chewing gum, or swallowing repeatedly, often provide relief. These activities activate the muscles that open the tubes, allowing air pressure to equalize.
If clicking is due to congestion from colds or allergies, over-the-counter remedies may be beneficial. Nasal sprays, including saline rinses or decongestant sprays, reduce swelling and mucus in the nasal passages and Eustachian tubes. The Valsalva maneuver involves closing your mouth, pinching nostrils shut, and gently exhaling as if blowing your nose, which can help equalize ear pressure. If home strategies do not resolve the issue, or if symptoms are severe or persistent, a doctor might prescribe medications for underlying conditions, such as antibiotics for infections or corticosteroids for inflammation.