What caused that maddening clicking in her head?

Maryjane Behforouz remembers very clearly when her problem started.

In July 2015, while driving near her home outside Indianapolis, she felt an itch deep in her left ear, as though something was tickling her eardrum. She suspected the problem was residual water in her ear from swimming, or the remnant of a recent cold. Behforouz covered the opening of her ear with a fingertip then forcefully pressed several times in quick succession to create pressure that would expel the water and eliminate the itch. Almost immediately, she realized that her hearing in that ear seemed diminished.

Ten days later, Behforouz consulted an ear, nose and throat specialist. He diagnosed mild hearing loss and prescribed a nasal spray and antibiotics. It was possible, he told her, that a cold had caused a bacterial infection that was muffling her hearing.

When the drugs didn’t help, he sent Behforouz, 48, to a colleague with a more specialized practice. This ENT asked whether she had a family history of hearing loss — she didn’t — and told Behforouz that she had sensorineural hearing loss, the result of damage to nerve cells in the inner ear.

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Causes in adults include aging or exposure to loud noise; such hearing loss is permanent, but can be alleviated by wearing a hearing aid. In Behforouz’s case, the cause was deemed to be idiopathic — medical jargon meaning unknown. Possible explanations, the doctor told her, were an unspecified autoimmune problem or Meniere’s disease, a disorder of the inner ear, although Behforouz lacked the vertigo typical of Meniere’s.

The ENT recommended a series of intratympanic steroid injections, which involves injecting the drug into the middle ear; the goal in her case was to reduce inflammation and diminish her hearing loss. Behforouz agreed.

She had developed two additional problems: a high-pitched ringing sound known as tinnitus and a nearly constant clicking sound that was so loud it would wake her in the middle of the night. Behforouz found the tinnitus was manageable — she could drown it out while she slept by using the white noise of a fan.

But the clicking, she recalled, was “literally driving me crazy.” It interfered with her ability to have a simple conversation or to listen to music, and was constantly distracting.

After a consultation with a third ENT was unhelpful, Behforouz said, she realized she was more or less on her own. She turned to the Internet, which had proved to be an invaluable source of help nearly a decade earlier when she confronted a frightening finding.

In 2007, Behforouz learned that she had inherited the BRCA1 gene, which greatly increases the lifetime risk of both breast and ovarian cancer. Seeking experts who specialize in treating women who inherit such mutations led her to Boston’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for prophylactic surgeries.

Now, Behforouz’s search for answers to her hearing problem led her to Boston, this time to another specialty hospital: Massachusetts Eye and Ear. She pored over the hospital’s website, checking out the profiles of specialists.

She zeroed in on one: Konstantina Stankovic, an associate professor of otolaryngology at Harvard Medical School who earned both a medical degree from Harvard and a doctorate in auditory neuroscience from MIT. She made an appointment.

As she had with each doctor she had seen, Behforouz recounted “the whole rigmarole.”

“It was her story that really told me what it probably was,” Stankovic said of her initial meeting with Behforouz. “You really have to listen to a patient’s story to even think of it.”

Solution:

To Stankovic, chief of the division of otology and neuro-otology, the problem did not sound idiopathic; she suspected that Behforouz had inadvertently fractured a tiny, delicate bone in her middle ear called the malleus.

When she examined the records of Behforouz’s previous hearing tests, Stankovic realized that the results had been misinterpreted. Behforouz didn’t have sensorineural hearing loss — damage to the nerve. Instead, she had conductive hearing loss, a problem with the way sound is transmitted. The difference is important because some forms of conductive hearing loss can be fixed through surgery.

Malleus fractures, which prevent sound from being properly delivered to the middle ear, are rare, Stankovic said, and probably underdiagnosed. She said researchers at Mass Eye and Ear have studied 13 patients with the fracture and “every one had the same story”: sudden hearing loss after what doctors call “digital manipulation.”

Moisture “provides the perfect pressure seal,” Stankovic said, and force can result in fractures to the bones in the ear, which are the smallest in the body. Behforouz had an additional risk factor: osteoporosis, the bone-thinning disease.

Behforouz said she “nearly fell off the chair” when, five minutes into her first appointment, Stankovic told her what she suspected had happened.

“She really listened to my story, and her history was much more thorough,” Behforouz recalled. The hearing tests were more extensive and careful, she said, describing them as “a very different experience.”

Stankovic told Behforouz that the problem could be corrected surgically, although her hearing loss, which was mild, might not improve and could even get worse.

It was a chance Behforouz was willing to take.

A month later, she returned to Boston. In an hour-long operation, Stankovic repaired the fracture using bone cement. But to Stankovic’s surprise, the broken bone wasn’t the malleus but another tiny one called the incus.

Behforouz said she was elated by the results. The clicking immediately ceased, although her hearing loss and tinnitus were largely unchanged. Behforouz was also relieved that the problem wasn’t caused by a progressive disorder that she feared could impair hearing in her right ear.

“I think this is very diagnosable,” said Stankovic, who explained that the clicking was caused by two fragments of bone vibrating out of sync in response to sound. “You just have to be thinking about it. The important thing is you really have to listen to a patient.”

Clicking feeling in my skull? – Introduce yourself – Cancer Chat

Hey guys! I’ve never used this place before so hello! Sorry if I haven’t posted this in the right place or something I’m not really sure how this works haha! I just really need some help. Anyway (I’m 18)So around October 2019 I was walking and suddenly I could feel this clicking sensation in my skull on the right side above my temple almost as if 2 parts were loose and slightly tapping together when I walked. I had no pain or headaches or anything like that but it was annoying and I was worried but it went away on its own after a few months so I never ended up getting it checked out plus the pandemic hit so couldn’t rlly go to doctors for non emergency. Well it went away on its own and I didn’t feel it at all for almost a year but this week it’s come back and I can feel my skull clicking or tapping slightly when I jump, walk with a bounce or walk down the stairs! In the same place as last time too.  It’s always on the right side of my head above my temple/ mandible area. Again I’m in no pain at all and in good general health I’ve also just recovered from covid (just lost my sense of smell) but I’m doing fine but I get really bad health anxiety and paranoia so I worry what could this clicking in my head be? Its not tinnitus because it’s an actual feeling, not a sound in my head. I’ve been having some jaw problems for a while now and I’ve been researching TMJ and it could be due to that but whenever I search my symptoms it all comes up with articles about brain tumour tinnitus symptoms but this isn’t tinnitus so it’s so confusing so I get worried and I figured this would be a good place to ask about it! Sorry if that was confusing haha. There is no lump or anything on my head where this happens and it feels close to the surface like not deep in my head just on the skull bone. I’m hoping to find somebody who has experienced this or knows what it could be! I’ve found absolutely nothing online that could help me figure out what it is! Thanks for the help! 

• 0000000Z” data-yesvotes=”0″ data-novotes=”0″>

  Hiya, 

  I’ve had this for a couple of years now so I doubt it’s anything serious. Mostly I get it when I’m walking and it only occurs max. once every couple of months. I told my dad and he said he gets it too! Hopefully this reassures you a bit and helps with your anxiety so you know it’s not just you! 
   

   

• Hey! I also have this, it lasted for the first time for about a month and went away for a year and half now.. it happened for the first time not long after I did a marathon so not sure if it’s related to that? Reassuring to know it’s not just me too!

• Hey! I have also had this for quite a while now, at first i thought it was Tinnitus but when i listened to what it sounds like on the NHS website I found out that it’s completely different, it mainly happens when im walking home. The main thing that helps me is listening to some music to distract myself from it.  Hope this helps!

• Hi Maddz22

  I have also experienced this the past 5 months. Has yours gotten any better/found out what might be causing it? I’ve had tinnitus for nearly 3 years but never had this before so it’s annoying when you google it it just comes up with that! 

  Thanks 

• I eradicated the clicking by focusing on my lymphatic system – there’s exercises you can do and breathing exercises too to remove excess fluid around your bones and joints – plenty on google and youtube. You can also get your lymphatic system drained via massage at most well-being clinics too. Maintaining good posture throughout the day and eliminating repetive strain will also help! Another thing I do regular is running a hot bath but shocking my body with cold shower and then immediately jumping in hot bath again – really does wonders. Also taking fish oils, vitamin D3 and K2 supplements and turmeric & pepper capsules daily too.

  My cause for lympahtic blockage is plantar fasciitis and awful posture – I hope you get to the bottom of what it is and find this info useful!

  All the best

• I have the same thing and im dealing with it right now. I think its due to over exertion in the neck muscles. I also feel muscle twitches in my neck to the lower part of my skull. I understand the click feeling, looking it up on google makes it seem more scary than it is. Try taking hot showers as heat can heal injured muscles and also try doing non strenuous tasks.

• I have the same thing but with the fact that whenever I try to move my head I hear crackling and as if the bones grinding

• 0000000Z” data-yesvotes=”0″ data-novotes=”0″>

  This is pretty much what’s been happening with me. I do have tinnitus, but these clicking noises are heard outside WHENEVER I nod my head. It’s been happening only for the past month or so. At first I thought that it’s just tinnitus but then I did record a video to check if it’s heard outside, and it is. 

• I have same thing like when I walk my head has a clicking sound and if I turn my head a little fast or move it I have a sting pain for like 5 or 10 seconds and then my head stops clicking but if always comes bk in like a few weeks or months it only happens one’s or twice idk if its normal I tried looking it up it says just keep walking regularly and it will go away without pains.

• 0000000Z” data-yesvotes=”0″ data-novotes=”0″>

  I have had this for nearly a year. Felt like I was having a stroke. Doctor said it was Titus but I’ve now got neck and back pain. I’m on beta blockers as I’ve now got major anxiety as my skull feels like it’s grinding and clicking. They did say it was chronic sinusitis at first but another doctor ruled it out. Still waiting to see ENT after a year. It’s annoying, worrying and just dosnt normal. Hope your all better x

causes and consequences » Clinic of Dr. Ignatiev

Clinic of Dr. Ignatiev » Osteochondrosis » Neck » Clicks in the head when walking: causes and consequences

Contents:

• Disease statistics
• Accompanying symptoms of clicking in the ears
• Effects of clicks in the neck

Clicking in the head is a symptom. The auditory nerve sends impulses to the brain. As a result, sounds are perceived as noise, clicking. It is worth consulting a doctor if clicking in the head is accompanied by pain when walking, turning the neck, eating. This symptom may indicate the appearance of serious problems in the spine.

The clinic of Dr. Ignatiev is equipped with the best equipment, modern methods are used here for the diagnosis, professional treatment of ailments of the musculoskeletal system.

Clicking in the head is the first sign of cervical osteochondrosis, which affects the disc in the intervertebral space in the cervical spine. As a result, the structure of the intervertebral discs themselves changes. This disease affects the organisms of young people aged 25 to 40 years.

The main causes of clicking in the head:

• genetic predisposition;
• overweight;
• the appearance in the body of intoxication, infections, impaired metabolism;
• lack of vitamins, microelements, fluids – malnutrition;
• various spinal injuries, fractures, bruises;
• violation of posture, curvature in the spine;
• flat feet;
• instability in the segments of the spinal column;
• hypothermia;
• heavy lifting work;
• work that promotes frequent changes in body position, such as bending, turning, jerking, extending;
• prolonged exposure to uncomfortable positions, lying down, standing, sitting, lifting, carrying weights, performing various work that increases the load on the cervical spine;
• stress, nervous tension;
• use of incorrect pillows while sleeping.

However, the main cause of clicking in the head is cervical osteochondrosis.

Accompanying symptoms clicking in the ears ↑

Pain manifestations in the neck, radiating to the arms, shoulders, back of the head. There is a pronounced weakness in the muscles, a crunch in the neck, difficult head movements when tilting, turning the head.

Sensations of pulling pain symptoms in the left side of the chest. In some cases, they can give to the left hand. Sometimes there is a burning sensation, pain between the shoulder blades.

There may be occasional headaches, weakness, increased fatigue. As a rule, pain sensations are aching in nature, concentrated in the side or back of the neck, in the back of the head. Often there are difficulties with the movement of the head, associated in particular with turns in different directions.

Pain symptoms in the neck can pass to the arms, reach the very shoulder, hand. Sometimes there are complaints about the “passage of electrical impulses”, “drilling” throughout the arm, legs, when turning the neck.

Vision, hearing, pain in the hands, dizziness, heart failure, nausea, facial numbness may worsen.

Consequences of clicks in the neck ↑

If you do not see a doctor in time, various ailments can develop, such as intervertebral hernia of the neck, protrusion, cervical osteochondrosis .

The initial stage will be characterized by periodic pain in the cervical spine. It passes after taking a number of urgent measures, such as the use of NSAIDs, lotions, local irritating ointments. In the future, the pain will increase. And “soft” means will no longer help. It will take long-term therapy. If treatment is neglected, then more serious problems will appear, such as displacement of the spinal disc. This is a very rare condition. It leads to paralysis and death. Even a layman without a proper medical education understands that when a vertebra goes beyond the area of ​​​​its original location, this will contribute to the development of serious negative consequences. The growths on the bone tissue will injure the muscles of the cervical region, which will lead to hypertonicity, increased stress on the joints, and very strong compression. Flattening of the spine develops due to the destruction, further deformation of the entire spinal column. A change in the height of the spinal column will lead to large clamps of the vascular endings, nerve processes. Even an innocent turn when walking will lead to subluxation of the cervical joint. A frequent complication is the formation of hernias, protrusions. Protrusion leads to protrusion of the nucleus pulposus of the disc without direct destruction of the annulus fibrosus. This condition is most dangerous in cervical osteochondrosis. In the neck area, this is an extremely severe manifestation. After the destruction of the fibrous ring, growths appear, which leads to the development of an intervertebral hernia. At this stage, the pain is very strong, intolerable. There are frequent relapses, movement is limited.

Differential diagnosis

Cervical osteochondrosis – manifestations of limited mobility in the cervical spine. Pain sensations appear in the neck, neck area. Headaches of bursting and pressing nature develop. There may be a “shooting pain” that spreads to the muscles of the neck, arm, leading to numbness of the fingers, hand, shoulder and forearm. Pain may appear in the heart.

Protrusions of the cervical spine are dangerous pathological processes. There is a bulging of the intervertebral disc into the spinal canal. Most often, the disease is a complication of osteochondrosis.

Hernias in the cervical spine are formed after a strong and sudden impact on the intervertebral disc. As a result, the component of the jelly-like appearance breaks through the outer ring, gradually comes out. The work of the spinal nerve is disrupted. Pain may occur with swelling or inflammation of the nerve endings. Degenerative processes develop due to the pressure of the hernia.

Treatment

If you have the above complaints, you should consult a vertebrologist, neurologist. The specialist will assess mobility, pain in the neck, determine sensitivity, and other disorders in the functions. After that, you will need an x-ray of the cervical spine in several projections at once, if necessary, computed tomography is performed. If intervertebral hernia is suspected – magnetic resonance scanning. In case of impaired blood circulation, an examination of the fundus of the eye, rheoencephalography should be performed.

Gymnastics, physiotherapy exercises, some methods of reflexology, physiotherapy are very helpful in treatment. Techniques of gentle impact on the “squeezed” zones of the vertebrae and muscles have proven themselves to be excellent.

The specialists of Dr. Ignatiev’s clinic resort to their own author’s methods of treatment and do not recommend postponing diagnosis at the first symptoms.

Similar:

Most current topics:

• Back pain radiates to the buttocks
• Headache treatment
• Pain in the pelvis and sacrum
• Neck pain after sleep and at night
• Scoliosis in children

Appointment for a consultation at Dr. Ignatiev’s Clinic by phone: +38 (044) 227-3 2-51

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Ticks in the ears like a second hand

Germany.ru → Forums → Board Archive→ Health

Ticking in my ears like a second hand

661

bergedorf native 01.01.14 19:18

01.01.14 19:18

Three weeks ago, my child was hit hard in the ear by another child in kindergarten.
For a couple of days the child did not hear well and complained of pain, we did not betray the importance much, we thought, well, the children in the kindergarten played too much.
A week ago, the son said that he constantly hears some sounds in his head that were not there before.
It’s very interesting, when you put your ear to his ear, you hear the sound of the ticking second hand.
A trip to the doctor did not change the situation, they washed the ears, there was sulfur in the right ear, the doctor said that the sound would pass, but nothing changed.
Googled and found on the Internet that this is tinnitus (Tinnitus).
What to do, where to run?

#1

Tanja_tanja familiar face 01.01.14 19:31

NEW 01.01.14 19:31

in reply bergedorf 01.01.14 19:18

You need to make an audiogram

#2

papaput native 01.01.1 4 21:55

NEW 01/01/14 21:55

in reply bergedorf 01/01/14 19:18

I can’t say anything about children, but there are two close relatives of adult men who live with this for many years, it is not treated. But if the doctor said, what will pass, he probably knows better.

The lack of real men is not a reason to cling to freaks. Coco Chanel

#3

mulechka native 01.