Ear clicking

[chrislikesblue]

I have been hearing a click noise on my right ear for the last 3 years. It does not happen all the day, but various times per day I have a feeling of something stuck in my throat ( throat feeling dry) and then I start trying to swallow ( it happens automatically,even if i try not to swallow the muscle does it on its own) and same time i hear a click noise on the right ear. That feels a bit as if something is blocking my ear (like a liquid) but there is nothing there. Anyone has experienced this? I have been to several doctors and they all tell me that there is nothing in my ear after the exam,but the click noise doesnt seem to stop. Thats really annoying !

[gingernut]

It's probably quite a difficult problem to differntiate via the internet, but sod it, I'll have a start.

I suspect the problem won't shorten your life, but will make it more annoying.

Could it be something to do with excessive mucous? And is there a reason for that? Or is your jaw clicking ?

[CS-DDO]

Never noticed until you made me think about it... When I swallow i get a click...i really dont feel anything in my ear, just a click...
Im recovering from a cold, I belive that has something to do with it!

Just to let you know youre not alone!

[RMC]

As post three...I've had this for about five years... can't find a cause. Doc not worried...doesn't keep me awake.

[KBPsen]

I can make my ears click on command, always have been as far back as I can remember. Always thought of it as more of a talent than a problem.

[Loose rivets]

Thousands of people live with all sorts of strange noises in their ears. Sad fact.

My unqualified guess would be that it's a 'tick': Random pluses firing a given set of small muscles. They very often go away, though 3 years is rather long. The feeling of wanting, but not being able to swallow, is easily explained by random unwanted signals.

Any sudden change/worsening, press for specialist investigation.


This is unlikely to be connected, but experiencing difficulty in swallowing is something that should be investigated thoroughly.

[chrislikesblue]

Thanks for the replies. After the last visit in the doctor i started to get a better idea of what causes this problem. Basically there is some phlegm and fungus on the top of my throat,that causes dryness and gives continuously the feeling that something is stuck there and while trying to swallow it the muscle close to the ear makes a click. Now it is becoming more interesting ! The cause of this irritation and phlegm in my throat is acid from the stomach,that is called reflux,the acid goes up and irritates the throat and causes frequent infections. The way to stop this is by using proton pump inhibitors (pills that control the acid ) but that can be a long term therapy. I have started this but so far I havent had good results yet. Anyone has had this disease?

[gingernut]

Sounds reasonable, try some other stuff to, don't eat after 7, chew your food well, and avoid coffee, chocolate and booze before bedtime.

Not for me to question your doc's advice, but his perception of long term could be worth exploring. (a 6week trial and then a break would be reasonable):)

[Loose rivets]

I've taken Tagamet for many, many years. Tried modern drugs with miserable reactions. Good old Tagamet (Cimetidine) at bedtime stops me eating myself at 5AM.

Cimetidine - PubMed Health (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000628/)

[Fly-by-Wife]

The way to stop this is by using proton pump inhibitors (pills that control the acid ) but that can be a long term therapy. I have started this but so far I havent had good results yet. Anyone has had this disease?

I've taken Lansoprazole for years - absolutely bloody fantastic. I went from considering buying shares in the company that makes Rennie to forgetting what reflux indigestion is like in a few months.

I can now enjoy food and enjoy life - before it was one or the other, but not both!

FBW

[chrislikesblue]

I tried Lansoprazole as well but I didnt have any great improvement. Then doctor recommended me to take a stronger medecine,it is called Pariet (Sodium Rabeprazole). It seems to be more effective and feeling my throat better now. But the click noise in the ear still continues,I am wondering if it is associated with this problem or maybe could be something else.