Crackling in your ear? Crackling, Buzzing, “static” or whooshing noises in your ear can all be indications of a disorder called tinnitus. Here is what you need to know.
Ever hear crackling, thumping, and buzzing sounds that seem to come out of nowhere? When it comes to somebody who uses hearing aids, it may mean they fitting and adjustments. For everybody else, tinnitus may be the answer.
There’s much more to the ear than what you see on the outside. Here are some of the more common noises you may hear in your ears, and what they could reveal is happening.
I’m Hearing a Snap, Crackle, And Pop in my Ears But What’s The Cause?
It’s not Rice Krispies that’s for certain. When the pressure in your ears changes – whether from an altitude change, going underwater, or simply yawning – you may hear crackling or popping sounds. These noises are caused by a tiny part of your ear known as the eustachian tube. When these mucus lined passages open up to neutralize the air pressure, fluid, and air circulate causing these noises to occur.
Occasionally, like when you have allergies, a cold, or an ear infection, an overabundance of mucus in your system can clog up the eustachian tubes and impede what is normally 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 might call for medical treatment like surgery.
What Does it Mean When I Hear Vibrations in My Ear?
Sometimes tinnitus manifests as a vibration in the ears. Technically, tinnitus is the medical term for when someone hears unusual sounds, like vibrations, in their ears that don’t come from any external sources. Most individuals will refer to it as a ringing in the ears and it manifests across the spectrum, from hardly there to debilitating.
What Should I do About Sounds in my Ear
Once again, if you have hearing aids, you should first check those. You might hear these types of sounds for a number of reasons: the hearing aids aren’t sitting properly inside of your ears, the volume is too high, your hair is rubbing against them, or your batteries need to be charged. If you don’t have hearing aids, accumulated earwax might be the problem.
It makes sense that too much wax could make it difficult to hear and cause irritation or even inner ear infections, but how can earwax make a sound? If it is pushing against your eardrum, it can actually hinder the eardrum’s ability to function, which is what causes the buzzing or ringing. Luckily, dealing with earwax is frequently pretty straightforward.
Reach out to us if you have odd sounds in your ears. We can examine your hearing aid to make certain it’s working properly.