The presence of unpleasant sensations in the ear, clicking, crunching, ticking can be noted periodically in absolutely healthy people. This is due to the spontaneous contraction of the muscles that make up the middle ear, or go to the auditory tube.
If this symptom appears rarely, is not accompanied by additional signs, such as pain, hearing impairment, does not lead to a violation of the general condition of the patient, then there is no cause for concern. In the event that unpleasant sensations in the ear are noted constantly, accompanying the chewing process and body movements, or there are any additional signs, the patient should consult a specialist to clarify the diagnosis.
Inflammatory ear diseases
The presence of noise and pain in the ear can be either a pathology of the ear itself or diseases that are not associated with damage to this organ.
It is possible to reliably clarify the nature of the pathological process by conducting an otoscopy. The otolaryngologist, based on the detected picture, will be able to confirm or deny ear disease.
Various painful sensations in the ear are most typical for the inflammatory process. Moreover, the intensity and nature of these sensations can be determined by the localization of the lesion focus. A feeling of discomfort, congestion in the ear is most typical for inflammation of the Eustachian tube. Pressing, bursting pain, periodic lumbago or clicks in the ear are characteristic of purulent otitis media of the middle ear. At the same time, patients may complain that something seems to click, tick or knock in the ear.
Concomitant signs contribute to the clarification of the diagnosis. First of all, otitis media is a complication of respiratory diseases. Consequently, the appearance of a ticking in the ear after the patient develops any catarrhal symptoms, malaise, an increase in body temperature, most likely, is precisely about the pathology of the ear. Additional symptoms may include hearing loss, hyperthermia, nasal congestion, runny nose, malaise, and lack of appetite. The combination of all these signs indicates the need to consult an otolaryngologist to clarify the diagnosis.
Unpleasant sensations in the ear can also bother the patient with any respiratory infection, when the process captures the auditory tube.
Swelling and an abundance of mucus in it can also be accompanied by such peculiar sensations in the ear. This condition and the appearance of this symptom should not be disturbing. With correct treatment, within 5-7 days, when recovery occurs, this symptom also regresses.
Pathology of the joints and spine
The symptom when it clicks in the ear is typical not only for diseases of the ENT organs. It is also characteristic of pathology characterized by a violation of the musculoskeletal system of the corresponding localization. In this case, it clicks in the ear when walking, bending the body or chewing. Most often, the reasons for the development of this symptom are the following diseases:
- arthrosis and arthritis of the temporomandibular joint;
- osteochondrosis and hernia of the cervical spine.
Arthrosis is characterized by slow development, when over time destructive changes in the musculoskeletal system, grasping bones, ligamentous apparatus, and muscles, increase. Over the years
there is an increase in symptoms. At first, there is some difficulty in opening the mouth, which passes during the day. Over time, a crunch in the joint is added to this symptom.
Subsequently, it constantly clicks in the ear when chewing. At the same time, pain syndrome is additionally noted when chewing rough food, and therefore, the patient tries to get by with the other side. External signs of the disease may also appear: displacement of the jaw to one side, asymmetry of the face. Palpation of the muscles that form this joint is painless, the skin over it is not changed.
Arthritis of the temporomandibular joint is an acute process that most often affects young people.
At the same time, from the very beginning, there is a pronounced pain in the joint, which increases during chewing, and clicks in the ear when yawning. A distinctive feature of this pathology are signs of inflammation, such as swelling, redness in this area.
When palpating, there is an increase in pain and a local increase in temperature. A deterioration in the general condition of the patient is also characteristic. Malaise is noted, there may be an increase in body temperature. The disease is most often a complication of severe infectious, rheumatic and rheumatoid processes. Increased pain when yawning or chewing, as well as clicking in the ears indicates the involvement of this particular joint in the process.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is characterized by the development of destructive processes in the intervertebral discs. This leads to increased pain when moving the neck. Pain syndrome is characterized by shooting, crunching. In this case, the patient can take a forced position of the head. Depending on the localization of the lesion, a compressive headache, dizziness, and nausea may be added to the complaints. Some patients report that they have a ticking ear or a constricting pain in the region of the heart. Characterized by increased pain when changing the position of the body, turning the head, yawning.
A hernia of the cervical spine is characterized by a protrusion of the intervertebral disc into the intervertebral region, which sharply reduces the range of motion in this spine. This formation, squeezing the nerve endings, leads to a malnutrition of the corresponding areas. This may be accompanied by the development of symptoms such as headache, dizziness, discomfort in the ear, hearing impairment. The difficult course of the process can lead to the development of disability.
Required examinations
In order to understand why it clicks in the ear, it is necessary to conduct a complex of examinations. First of all, you will need a consultation with an otolaryngologist, who will conduct an otoscopy and give an opinion on the condition of the tympanic membrane and, therefore, the presence of ear inflammation. Depending on the specified diagnosis, a specialist will prescribe nasal drops with a vasoconstrictor effect, ear potassium with an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory component, and, if necessary, antibiotic therapy.
As the inflammatory process in the ear subsides, the patient's condition will improve, and the discomfort will decrease.
In the event that the pathology on the part of the ear is not detected, it is necessary to use additional hardware methods to diagnose the pathology of articular disorders. In this case, modern medicine uses magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography of the spinal column and the temporomandibular joint.
As a result of the examination, intervertebral hernias will be detected and their sizes described, the degree of arthritic changes in the spinal column and joints will be established.
Due to the fact that these diagnostic methods are present only in large medical centers, a sufficient understanding of the lesion of the articular-ligamentous apparatus can be obtained by conducting a widespread X-ray examination. As for the treatment tactics, urgent measures should be taken only with the development of acute processes. As for chronic diseases, the decision is made depending on the severity of symptoms and other related factors.
