Crackling in your ear? Crackling, Buzzing, “static” or whooshing noises in your ear can all be signs of a disorder called tinnitus. Here is what you need to know.
Do you ever hear crackling, thumping, and buzzing noises that seem to come out of nowhere? If you use hearing aids, it can mean that they need to be adjusted or aren’t fitted correctly. For everyone else, tinnitus might be the answer.
There’s much more to the ear than what you see on the outside. Here’s what it could mean when some of these more prevalent noises are playing in your ears.
What’s Causing The Snap, Crackle, And Pop in My Ear?
It’s not Rice Krispies that’s for sure. When the pressure in your ears changes – whether from an altitude change, going underwater, or just yawning – you may hear crackling or popping noises. These sounds are caused by a tiny part of your ear called the eustachian tube. The crackling is caused by mucus-lined passageways opening up, allowing air and fluid to circulate and equalize the pressure in your ears.
Occasionally, like when you have allergies, a cold, or an ear infection, an overabundance of mucus in your system can gum up the eustachian tubes and impede what is ordinarily an automatic process (don’t forget, your ears, nose, and throat or all connected). In extreme cases where decongestant sprays, chicken soup, or antibiotics don’t provide relief, a blockage may require medical intervention such as surgery.
What Does it Mean When I Hear Vibrations in My Ear?
Vibrations in the ear are often a telling indication of tinnitus. Technically, tinnitus is the medical term for when someone hears abnormal sounds, such as vibrations, in their ears that do not come from any external sources. Most people will refer to it as a ringing in the ears and it manifests across the spectrum, from barely there to debilitating.
Is There Anything I Can do?
If you use hearing aids, again, checking those is the first step. There may be numerous reasons that you would hear these noises: your batteries need to be recharged, the hearing aids aren’t properly positioned in your ears, the volume is too high, or your hair is rubbing up against it. But if you don’t have hearing aids and you’re hearing this kind of sound, it might also be because of accumulated earwax.
Dull hearing, irritated ears, and ear infections can often be caused by excessive earwax but how could it be responsible for tinnitus noises? The buzzing or ringing can be caused by earwax touching your eardrum and hindering its function. Fortunately, earwax problems are easily fixed.
If you’re hearing unusual sounds, call us. If your hearing aids are not working properly we can help with that.