Hearing a faint swishing or clicking sound when moving your eyes rapidly is a real phenomenon experienced by some individuals. This unusual auditory perception offers a fascinating look into the intricate mechanics of the human body and how our sensory systems interpret internal signals. Understanding the underlying reasons can demystify this peculiar sensation.
How Eye Movement Generates Sound
The human eye’s movements are orchestrated by a set of six extraocular muscles surrounding each eyeball. When these muscles contract and relax to shift gaze, they create subtle mechanical vibrations. Within the eye socket, the eyeball itself, along with surrounding fat, connective tissues, and fluids, also undergoes slight shifts. These dynamic actions inherently produce minute sounds.
Normally, these sounds are imperceptible. The dense bone of the skull and the dampening properties of the tissues surrounding the inner ear effectively block the transmission of these internal noises. Furthermore, the brain’s auditory processing centers typically filter out constant, predictable internal sounds, allowing us to focus on external stimuli. While eye movements always generate sounds at a microscopic level, our bodies are designed to prevent us from hearing them.
Conditions That Amplify Eye Sounds
For some individuals, normally inaudible eye movement sounds become distinctly audible due to anatomical differences or medical conditions. The most recognized cause for this heightened internal sound perception is Superior Canal Dehiscence Syndrome (SCDS). SCDS involves a thinning or absence of bone in the temporal bone, specifically over the superior semicircular canal of the inner ear. This bony defect creates an abnormal “third window” within the inner ear system.
This “third window” bypasses the ear’s normal sound dampening mechanisms, allowing internal body sounds to be directly transmitted to the inner ear. Consequently, the subtle sounds generated by eye muscle movements, which would otherwise be absorbed or filtered, are conducted with unusual clarity. Less commonly, a patulous Eustachian tube can also contribute to an increased perception of internal body sounds, though SCDS is the primary condition associated with hearing eye movements.
Related Sensory Experiences
Individuals who can hear their eye movements often report a broader range of amplified internal sounds and sensations. One common experience is autophony, where a person hears their own voice, heartbeat, or footsteps with unusual loudness. This phenomenon occurs because the same abnormal sound conduction pathway that transmits eye movement sounds also amplifies other internal physiological noises.
Pulsatile tinnitus, characterized by hearing one’s own pulse or a rhythmic whooshing sound in sync with the heartbeat, is another related symptom. These amplified internal sounds can be accompanied by feelings of pressure or disequilibrium, particularly during activities that increase intracranial pressure, such as straining or loud vocalization. These experiences stem from the compromised dampening of internal body sounds, allowing them to be perceived with heightened intensity.
When to Consult a Doctor
While hearing your eyes move is unusual, it does not always indicate a serious problem. If this is an isolated symptom and does not significantly bother you or interfere with daily life, it may not require immediate medical intervention. However, if the sensation is persistent, disruptive, or accompanied by other symptoms, seeking medical evaluation is advisable.
Concerning symptoms include significant autophony, chronic dizziness or vertigo, balance problems, a noticeable change in hearing, or a persistent feeling of ear fullness. A doctor, often an otolaryngologist (ENT specialist) or a neuro-otologist, can assess your symptoms and conduct specialized tests. These may include an audiogram, a vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) test, or a high-resolution computed tomography (CT) scan of the temporal bones to visualize bony defects. A diagnosis can lead to management strategies or treatment options, providing relief from these sensations.