Middle Ear Myoclonus

What is middle ear myoclonus?

Inner ear myoclonus is a rare condition of intermittent or continuous spasming of the stapedius muscle or the tensor tympani muscle. These muscles connect to the stapes and malleus, respectively, both of which are bones that transmit sound to the inner ear. The stapedius and tensor tympani muscles normally function as a protective reflex, decreasing vibration of the stapes and malleus to dampen loud noises. However, in patients with inner ear myoclonus, the muscle contracts irregularly, similar to an eye twitch. When either muscle contracts, the stapes or the malleus moves, causing the patient to hear thumping, clicking, or buzzing. The spasms can be induced by loud noises, stress, or overactivity of the facial nerve, however the ultimate cause of myoclonus is unclear.

What are the treatment options for middle ear myoclonus?

Stress is a large contributor to the spasms. As such, the first line of treatment includes stress relieving techniques. Muscle relaxers, anti-anxiety medications, or anticonvulsants are often prescribed to control the spasms as well. If these techniques are unsuccessful, surgery can be performed to cut either muscle, accessing the middle ear by lifting the eardrum.