Hearing a Ticking Clock Sound: Is It Physical?

Hi everyone! I hope you're doing well. This is my first post, and I'm reaching out for advice about a specific tinnitus sound. I've been trying to follow the Back to Silence method (which has been helping me habituate), but this new sound is strange, and I can't ignore it.

Nearly three weeks ago (about three months after an initial acoustic trauma in a loud basement club, standing near a speaker, which resulted in permanent moderate, multitonal tinnitus), I experienced a brief, loud sound directly into my ear from a phone speaker. At first, I thought I was fine, but it seems I had a delayed reaction, resulting in some acoustic shock. I've since developed hyperacusis, but it’s pain-related, not loudness-related. The strangest part, however, is a new sound in my left ear that I noticed about a week later while lying in bed. It startled me because it was so different.

This sound resembles a tiny, mid- to high-pitched rhythmic vibration, almost like a very small road drill in my ear. If I focus on it, the rhythm actually slows down. If I tilt my head to the left and look down, it also slows to a steady "tick, tick, tick." This happens consistently every time I try it. If I don't focus on it, the vibration speeds up to the point where it becomes a single, continuous sound. Although I try not to dwell on it because I want to habituate, I can’t help but find it curious. It almost feels like a game to see if I can make it slow down.

I’ve read posts about middle ear myoclonus (MEM) and tonic tensor tympani syndrome (TTTS), and I know they can occur after acoustic shock. Could it be one of those? I did experience a physical flutter in my ear about five years ago, though I didn’t have tinnitus back then. That flutter was much more noticeable because I could feel my eardrum moving, but it stopped eventually. Thankfully, I don't experience that anymore, except for the occasional flutter when I yawn. This current sound feels different—it’s a tiny sensation in the ear with hearing loss, and I swear something inside is moving back and forth at various speeds throughout the day. I don’t feel a flutter, though.

Has anyone else experienced something similar? I know this might be more related to hyperacusis, especially considering my ear pain, but I’m curious if anyone in this community has had a similar experience. Thanks!

 

Hi @Nettles, and welcome to Tinnitus Talk.

It sounds like you are in the early stages of noise-induced tinnitus, and the symptoms you're experiencing are quite common. I’ve been through something similar myself. These symptoms can affect people, especially during the first 3 to 6 months and sometimes beyond, but they often settle down with time. Hyperacusis, a sensitivity to sound, can sometimes (but not always) occur alongside noise-induced tinnitus.

I understand you're eager to habituate, but it's important to remember that the process cannot be rushed. Everyone's journey is unique, although there are some similarities in how people adjust. Habituation can take up to 18 months, whether or not you seek specialist treatment.

I recommend checking out some of my threads, particularly: The Habituation Process and How to Habituate to Tinnitus.

If you find the Back to Silence method helpful, feel free to continue with it. However, I personally don’t recommend it for someone new to tinnitus. This method often involves monitoring your tinnitus and keeping a journal of good and bad days, which can lead to increased focus on your symptoms. This, in turn, can raise stress levels and make the tinnitus more intrusive. Tinnitus is closely linked to our mental and emotional well-being, and trying to separate the two isn’t helpful. Stress can worsen tinnitus, and tinnitus can increase stress, potentially creating a vicious cycle.

Many audiologists suggest using distraction techniques, and this is my preferred approach. It involves sound enrichment at a low level, combined with activities that you enjoy. This could be starting a new hobby or rekindling an old interest—anything that helps take your mind off the tinnitus. Remember, this also takes time, so patience is key.

I would advise against reading too much online about tinnitus, especially conditions like middle ear myoclonus (MEM) or tonic tensor tympani syndrome (TTTS), which you may not have. Self-diagnosis can lead to unnecessary stress, as I mentioned earlier. Keeping things simple when dealing with tinnitus is often the best approach. Please take a look at the link I’ve provided below.

If you haven’t already, I recommend seeing an ENT specialist for a proper evaluation. You might also be referred to an audiologist specializing in tinnitus and hyperacusis management.

Wishing you all the best,
Michael

Keeping Things Simple with Tinnitus | Tinnitus Talk Support Forum

 

I just wanted to chime in and say that it sounds like TTTS. I experienced something similar: I had tinnitus, and after an additional acoustic shock, I developed multi-tonal reactive tinnitus, dysacusis, mild hyperacusis, and TTTS.

The TTTS is still present—I can feel it vibrating when my head is in certain positions while lying in bed. You might want to look up Arnaud Norena's paper on acoustic shock, which provides a compelling explanation of the pathophysiology behind this cluster of symptoms.