Crackling in your ear? Crackling, Buzzing, “static” or whooshing sounds in your ear can all be signs of a condition called tinnitus. Here is what you should know.
Where is that crackling, buzzing, or ringing noise coming from? If you use hearing aids, it can mean that they require adjustment or aren’t properly fitted. For everybody else, tinnitus might be the answer.
Although we usually think of our ears with regards to what we see on the outside, there’s more than meets the eye – or in this instance, the ear. Here’s what it may mean when some of these more prevalent noises are playing in your ears.
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 just yawning – you might hear crackling or popping sounds. A tiny part of your ear named the eustachian tube is the source of these noises. When these mucus lined passages open up to neutralize the air pressure, fluid, and air move causing these noises to occur.
It’s a natural process, but in some cases, like if you’re dealing with inflammation from allergies, a cold, or an ear infection, your eustachian tubes can literally get gummed up from the overabundance of mucus in your system (don’t forget, that there’s a connection between your ears, throat, and nose). In extreme cases where decongestant sprays, chicken soup, or antibiotics don’t provide relief, a blockage may call for medical treatment such as surgery.
I’m Hearing Vibration in my Ears – What Does That Mean?
Vibrations in the ear are sometimes a telltale indication of tinnitus. Tinnitus is the medical term for a disorder that causes people to hear noises that have no external cause, like vibrations, inside of the ear. Most individuals 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?
Again, if you have hearing aids, you should check those first. You may hear these types of sounds for several reasons: your batteries need to be recharged, the hearing aids aren’t properly positioned in your ears, the volume is too loud, or your hair is rubbing up against it. If you don’t use hearing aids, accumulated earwax might be the issue.
Dull hearing, itchy ears, and ear infections can often be caused by excessive earwax but how could it be responsible for tinnitus sounds? If it’s pushing against your eardrum, it can actually hinder the eardrum’s ability to function, which is what causes the buzzing or ringing. Fortunately, earwax issues are easily fixed.
Reach out to us if you have strange noises in your ears. If your hearing aids are not functioning properly we can help with that.