There are three possibilities for hard pockets on the bones behind the ear: the first possibility is a postauricular dermatomal cyst, which is a benign protrusion of the temporalis muscle membrane behind the ear, a benign growth that develops slowly and can last for decades without obvious symptoms. The second possibility is temporal nodes, which are normal anatomical signs of the human body. Some people may have significantly enlarged temporal nodes, which are hard to touch. The third possibility is swollen lymph nodes behind the ear, because there is a lymph node group behind the ear, the lymph nodes are inflamed and swollen causing hard pockets behind the ear, which are hard to the touch, often related to otitis media and pharyngitis.