Question: what does it mean when you have the hiccups for a long time?
Answer: A cause of long-term hiccups is damage to or irritation of the vagus nerves or phrenic nerves, which serve the diaphragm muscle. Factors that may cause damage or irritation to these nerves include: A hair or something else in your ear touching your eardrum. A tumor, cyst or goiter in your neck.