You’re sitting in a quiet room. Maybe reading. Maybe watching TV. And then you hear it — a clicking in ear that nobody else can hear. It’s rhythmic sometimes. Other times it’s random. It might happen when you swallow, yawn, or move your jaw. Or it shows up for no reason at all.
This is incredibly common in adults over 60. The anatomy of your ear changes with age. Cartilage stiffens. The Eustachian tube — that small passage connecting your middle ear to the back of your throat — doesn’t function as smoothly as it once did. And that can produce sounds that range from mild clicking to full-on popping and crackling.
This article covers every major cause of clicking in ear, what each one feels like, when it’s harmless, and when you need to get it checked. No guesswork. Just facts pulled from audiology research and ENT (ear, nose, and throat) clinical guidelines.
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Why Do I Hear a Clicking Sound in My Ear?
That question — “why do I hear a clicking sound in my ear?” — gets asked in doctor’s offices thousands of times a week across the United States. The answer depends on when the clicking happens, how long it lasts, and whether it comes with other symptoms like pain, hearing loss, or dizziness.
Here are the most common causes, ranked roughly by how often they show up in clinical settings:
1. Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD)
The Eustachian tube is about 36 millimeters long in adults. Its job is to equalize pressure between the middle ear and the outside environment. When it doesn’t open or close properly, you get a clicking or popping sound — often when swallowing or yawning.
ETD becomes more common after age 50. The tissue around the tube loses elasticity. Allergies, sinus infections, and acid reflux can make it worse. According to a 2021 study published in the Journal of Otolaryngology, roughly 4.6% of adults over 60 report chronic Eustachian tube issues.
What it feels like: A soft pop or click with every swallow. Sometimes a feeling of fullness in the ear. Like your ear needs to “clear” but won’t fully do it.
2. Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Issues
Your jaw joint sits right in front of your ear canal. When that joint is inflamed, misaligned, or arthritic — which happens frequently in older adults — it produces clicking sounds that seem to come from inside the ear.
About 10 million Americans have TMJ disorders according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. The clicking in ear from TMJ usually happens when you open your mouth wide, chew, or move your jaw side to side.
What it feels like: A mechanical click. Sometimes accompanied by jaw stiffness in the morning or tenderness near the ear when pressing on the jaw joint.
3. Middle Ear Myoclonus (MEM)
This one is less common but worth knowing about. Two tiny muscles live inside your middle ear — the tensor tympani and the stapedius. When either one spasms involuntarily, it produces a clicking or buzzing sound. This is called middle ear myoclonus.
MEM can produce rapid clicking — sometimes described as a fluttering or tapping. It can last seconds or go on for hours. It’s not dangerous, but it’s disruptive. A 2019 case review in Otology & Neurotology documented 45 patients with confirmed MEM, and the average age at diagnosis was 52.
What it feels like: Rapid tapping or drumming inside the ear. Like a tiny insect is moving. It often has a rhythmic pattern unrelated to your heartbeat.
4. Earwax Buildup
Impacted cerumen — that’s the medical term for earwax blockage — affects approximately 1 in 10 children, 1 in 20 adults, and more than one-third of elderly and cognitively impaired patients. That statistic comes from the American Academy of Otolaryngology.
When wax sits against the eardrum or shifts around near it, you can hear clicking, crackling, or crinkling sounds. Especially with jaw movement, because chewing physically moves the ear canal shape.
What it feels like: Muffled hearing on one side plus intermittent crackling. Gets worse after a shower sometimes because water makes the wax swell.
5. Tinnitus (Objective Type)
Most tinnitus is subjective — only the patient hears it. But objective tinnitus can sometimes be heard by a doctor using a stethoscope near the ear. Clicking-type objective tinnitus is often caused by muscle spasms (like MEM above) or vascular abnormalities near the ear.
This type accounts for less than 1% of all tinnitus cases. But if your clicking in ear is perfectly rhythmic and matches your pulse, that’s called pulsatile tinnitus and warrants imaging. An MRI or CT angiogram can rule out vascular issues.
Why Is My Ear Crackling and Popping?
People also ask “why is my ear crackling & popping?” — and the answer overlaps with clicking but has a few distinct causes worth separating out.
Fluid in the Middle Ear
After a cold, sinus infection, or allergy flare-up, fluid can accumulate behind the eardrum. This is called serous otitis media. It’s more common in children but absolutely happens in older adults — particularly those with chronic sinus conditions or who use CPAP machines at night.
The fluid creates crackling and popping sounds as the eardrum moves. It usually resolves on its own within 4 to 6 weeks. If it doesn’t, an ENT may recommend a myringotomy — a tiny incision in the eardrum to drain the fluid.
Changes in Air Pressure
Elevation changes, airplane travel, and even weather pressure shifts can cause temporary crackling and popping. The Eustachian tube has to work harder to equalize. In older adults with stiffer tubes, this can take longer and produce more noticeable sounds.
Acid Reflux Reaching the Throat
Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) — where stomach acid reaches the back of the throat — can inflame the opening of the Eustachian tube. This creates swelling that leads to ear crackling and popping. Many people with LPR don’t even have heartburn. They just have throat clearing, hoarseness, and ear symptoms.
A 2020 study in the European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology found that 48% of patients with unexplained Eustachian tube dysfunction had concurrent LPR when tested with pH monitoring.
It’s not motivation — it’s subconscious programming.
When Clicking in Ear Is Harmless
Most of the time, clicking in ear is not a sign of something dangerous. Here’s when you can reasonably wait and monitor:
— The clicking only happens when you swallow or yawn, and it’s been that way for years without getting worse.
— You recently had a cold or sinus infection and the clicking started within the last week or two.
— There’s no hearing loss, no dizziness, no pain.
— It comes and goes. Some days nothing. Some days more noticeable.
In these cases, the clicking is usually your Eustachian tube doing its job imperfectly. It’s annoying but not harmful.
When You Should See a Doctor
There are specific situations where clicking in ear needs professional evaluation. Don’t wait on these:
Sudden hearing loss on one side. This is a medical emergency. The American Academy of Otolaryngology recommends treatment within 72 hours for sudden sensorineural hearing loss. If clicking accompanies rapid hearing decline, go to urgent care or an ENT immediately.
Clicking that matches your heartbeat. Pulsatile tinnitus can indicate vascular abnormalities — including rare but serious conditions like dural arteriovenous fistulas or carotid artery stenosis. Imaging is needed.
Clicking with vertigo or balance problems. This combination can signal inner ear pathology, including superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD) — a condition where a thin bone covering the inner ear develops a small opening.
Pain plus clicking. Ear infections, cholesteatoma (an abnormal skin growth in the middle ear), or TMJ inflammation that’s progressing — all of these need hands-on examination.
Clicking that progressively worsens over weeks. Any symptom that follows a worsening trajectory deserves investigation rather than waiting.
How Clicking in Ear Is Diagnosed
An ENT or audiologist will typically do the following:
Otoscopy: Looking inside the ear canal with a lighted scope. They’re checking for wax, eardrum appearance, fluid behind the eardrum, or abnormal growths.
Tympanometry: A test that measures how well the eardrum moves. It takes about 10 seconds per ear. A flat tympanogram suggests fluid. A normal peak suggests the middle ear is clear.
Audiogram: A hearing test. This establishes whether the clicking in ear is associated with any hearing loss — and if so, what type (conductive vs. sensorineural).
Imaging: CT scan or MRI if pulsatile tinnitus, vertigo, or progressive symptoms are present. Not everyone needs imaging. Most people with simple clicking do not.
The entire evaluation usually takes 30 to 60 minutes in an ENT office. Most insurance plans cover diagnostic visits when symptoms are present.
Treatments and Remedies for Clicking in Ear
For Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
— Nasal steroid sprays (like fluticasone) reduce swelling around the tube opening. Takes 2 to 4 weeks to see full effect.
— The Valsalva maneuver: pinch your nose, close your mouth, and gently blow. This forces air into the Eustachian tube. Do it gently — too much pressure can damage the eardrum.
— Balloon dilation of the Eustachian tube: a newer in-office procedure where a small balloon is inserted through the nose and inflated inside the tube. Studies show a 70-80% improvement rate. It’s been FDA-cleared since 2016.
For TMJ-Related Clicking
— A night guard or dental splint to reduce jaw clenching during sleep.
— Physical therapy focused on the jaw — specific exercises that strengthen the lateral pterygoid muscle and improve joint tracking.
— Anti-inflammatory medications short-term. Ibuprofen at 400mg three times daily for 7 to 10 days can reduce joint inflammation.
— Avoiding hard or chewy foods temporarily (raw carrots, gum, tough steak).
For Middle Ear Myoclonus
— Muscle relaxants like clonazepam or carbamazepine have shown benefit in some cases, though evidence is limited to case series.
— In severe or persistent cases, surgical division of the tensor tympani or stapedius tendon can stop the spasms permanently. This is rare and reserved for debilitating cases.
For Earwax Buildup
— Over-the-counter drops (carbamide peroxide) used for 3 to 5 days can soften wax.
— Professional irrigation or microsuction at an ENT or audiology office. Microsuction is gentler and preferred for older adults or those with eardrum perforations.
— Do not use cotton swabs. They push wax deeper in 90% of cases and can scratch the canal or perforate the drum.
For Acid Reflux-Related Ear Symptoms
— Elevate the head of your bed 6 inches (use a wedge, not extra pillows — pillows just bend the neck).
— Don’t eat within 3 hours of lying down.
— Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like omeprazole for 8 weeks, then reassess. Some physicians prefer H2 blockers like famotidine as a first step.
Home Monitoring Tips
If you’re dealing with clicking in ear and waiting to see whether it resolves, here’s what to track:
— When does it happen? Only with swallowing? Only at night? Random?
— Does anything make it better or worse? Lying down? Exercise? Eating?
Write these down. Bring the notes to your appointment. ENTs consistently say that a clear symptom diary is more useful than a vague description of “it clicks sometimes.”
A Real Example
Harold, a 67-year-old retired teacher from Ohio, noticed clicking in his left ear every time he swallowed. It started after a bad cold in January. He waited three weeks. It didn’t go away. He saw his primary care doctor, who looked inside the ear and saw fluid behind the eardrum.
Tympanometry confirmed a flat reading on the left side. His doctor prescribed a nasal steroid spray and told him to do gentle Valsalva maneuvers twice daily. Six weeks later, the fluid cleared. The clicking stopped.
Harold’s case is textbook serous otitis media in an older adult following an upper respiratory infection. It resolved without surgery, without antibiotics, and without invasive procedures. Most cases follow this pattern.
A different patient — Margaret, 72, from Arizona — had rhythmic clicking that matched her pulse. Her ENT ordered a CT angiogram, which revealed a small dural arteriovenous fistula. She was referred to interventional neuroradiology for treatment. Her outcome was excellent, but the key point is that pulsatile clicking in ear should always be imaged.
Common Mistakes People Make
— Using cotton swabs daily. This is the number one mistake. It creates a cycle of irritation and wax impaction.
— Ignoring pulsatile symptoms because “it’s probably nothing.” Rhythmic clicking that syncs with your heartbeat is the one variety that needs imaging.
— Overusing decongestant nasal sprays (like Afrin) for more than 3 days. This causes rebound congestion that makes Eustachian tube dysfunction worse.
— Assuming hearing aids will fix clicking. Hearing aids amplify sound — they don’t treat the mechanical cause of clicking. The underlying issue needs to be addressed first.
— Putting hydrogen peroxide or olive oil in the ear without knowing if the eardrum is intact. If there’s a perforation, these substances enter the middle ear and cause significant pain or infection.
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Yes. In the majority of cases related to colds, sinus congestion, or mild Eustachian tube dysfunction, clicking in ear resolves within 2 to 6 weeks without treatment. If it persists beyond 6 weeks or worsens, see an ENT.
Is clicking in ear a sign of hearing loss?
Not directly. Clicking itself doesn’t mean you’re losing hearing. However, conditions that cause clicking — like fluid in the middle ear or earwax impaction — can temporarily reduce hearing by 10 to 30 decibels on the affected side. Once treated, hearing typically returns to baseline.
Why does my ear click when I move my jaw?
Jaw movement shifts the shape of the ear canal slightly and also moves the TMJ joint, which sits millimeters from the ear canal. If you have TMJ inflammation or Eustachian tube stiffness, these movements are enough to produce an audible click inside the ear.
Should I be worried about clicking in both ears?
Bilateral clicking usually points to a systemic cause — allergies, reflux, or generalized ETD — rather than a structural problem on one side. It’s less likely to be something dangerous like a vascular issue (which is almost always one-sided). Still worth mentioning to your doctor, but generally less concerning than unilateral pulsatile clicking.
Can stress cause clicking in ear?
Indirectly, yes. Stress increases jaw clenching (bruxism), which aggravates the TMJ. Stress also increases muscle tension throughout the head and neck, which can trigger middle ear myoclonus in susceptible individuals. Managing stress through sleep hygiene and jaw relaxation exercises can help reduce clicking episodes.
Final Thoughts on Clicking in Ear
Clicking in ear is one of those symptoms that can range from completely benign to medically significant — and the difference often comes down to a few specific details. Whether it’s rhythmic or random. Whether it’s getting worse or staying the same. Whether it comes with other symptoms or stands alone.
For most people over 60, the cause is Eustachian tube dysfunction, mild TMJ wear, or residual fluid from a respiratory illness. These resolve with conservative measures. For a smaller percentage, further investigation uncovers something that needs targeted treatment.
The key takeaway: don’t panic, but don’t ignore it indefinitely either. Track your symptoms. Give it a few weeks if it’s mild. See an ENT if it persists, worsens, or comes with hearing loss, dizziness, or pulse-synchronous rhythm.
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