Clicking tinnitus is a condition where an individual experiences a clicking or snapping noise in their ear. The spelling of this word can be broken down using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /ˈklɪkɪŋ tɪˈnaɪtəs/. The first syllable "click" is pronounced as "klik" with the "ck" representing the sound made by the tongue hitting the roof of the mouth. The second syllable "ing" is pronounced as "ɪŋ" with the "ng" representing the sound of the nasal consonant. The word "tinnitus" is pronounced as "tɪˈnaɪtəs", with the emphasis placed on the "tin" syllable.
Clicking tinnitus, also known as pulsatile tinnitus or rhythmic tinnitus, refers to a specific type of tinnitus that is characterized by hearing repetitive or intermittent clicking, pulsing, or rhythmic sounds in the ears. Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the absence of any external source, and while most cases of tinnitus are associated with a continuous ringing or buzzing noise, clicking tinnitus presents as a repetitive, distinct clicking sound.
The fluctuating sounds of clicking tinnitus are often described as resembling the ticking of a clock, a drumbeat, or the sound of blood pulsing in the ears. This type of tinnitus is typically synchronous with the person's heartbeat or breathing, and it is most commonly caused by vascular anomalies or abnormalities in the blood flow near the ear. Conditions such as high blood pressure, turbulent blood flow, atherosclerosis, or abnormal connections between blood vessels and nearby structures can contribute to the generation of clicking tinnitus.
Despite being less common than other forms of tinnitus, clicking tinnitus can be quite bothersome and can interfere with daily activities, concentration, and sleep. The diagnosis of clicking tinnitus often involves a comprehensive medical evaluation to identify any underlying vascular or structural abnormalities. Treatment options for clicking tinnitus may include addressing the underlying cause, such as managing blood pressure or taking medication to improve blood flow, or in some cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to correct the vascular anomaly. Additionally, sound therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, or use of hearing devices may be employed to help manage the symptoms and improve the individual's quality of life.
An objective clicking sound in the ear in cases of chronic catarrhal otitis media; it may be audible to a bystander as well as to the patient and is supposed to be due to an opening and closing of the mouth of the Eustachian tube, or to a rhythmical spasm of the velumpalati.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "clicking tinnitus" is a descriptive term used in the medical field to refer to a specific type of tinnitus characterized by click-like sounds or noises in the ears. The term is formed by combining the word "clicking", which comes from the verb "click", meaning a sharp, brief sound or noise, and "tinnitus", which is derived from the Latin word "tinnire", meaning "to ring". Tinnitus itself refers to the perception of sound in the ears or head without any external source, commonly described as "ringing in the ears". Therefore, the term "clicking tinnitus" describes a specific type of tinnitus characterized by click-like sounds perceived by an individual.