Crackling in your ear? Buzzing, crackling, “static” or whooshing noises in your ear can all be indications of a condition known as tinnitus. Here is some important facts.
Do you ever hear crackling, buzzing, or thumping noises that seem to come from nowhere? When it comes to someone who has hearing aids, it might mean they fitting and adjustments. But if you don’t use hearing aids it could be tinnitus.
There’s much more to the ear than what you see on the outside. Here are a few of the more common noises you may hear in your ears, and what they may indicate is going on.
I’m Hearing a Snap, Crackle, And Pop in my Ears But What’s The Cause?
It’s not Rice Krispies that’s for sure. When the pressure in your ears changes – whether from a change in altitude, going underwater, or just yawning – you may hear crackling or popping sounds. These sounds are caused by a small part of your ear called the eustachian tube. When these mucus lined passages open up to equalize the air pressure, fluid, and air circulate 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 actually get clogged up from an excess of mucus in your system (remember, 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 require medical treatment like surgery.
What Does it Mean When I Hear Vibrations in My Ear?
Vibrations in the ear are often a telling sign of tinnitus. Technically, tinnitus is the scientific term for when someone hears unusual noises, such as vibrations, in their ears that don’t come from any outside sources. It’s typically characterized as a ringing in the ears and can, in some instances, be minimal, and in others, debilitating.
Is There Anything I Can do?
Once again, if you use hearing aids, you should check those first. There may be several reasons that you would hear these sounds: the hearing aids aren’t sitting correctly inside of your ears, the volume is too loud, your hair is brushing against them, or your batteries need to be charged. But if you don’t have hearing aids and you’re hearing this kind of sound, it may also be caused by accumulated earwax.
It makes sense that excessive wax could make it hard to hear and cause itchiness or even inner ear infections, but how can earwax cause a sound? The buzzing or ringing can be caused by earwax touching your eardrum and impeding its function. Fortunately, dealing with earwax is usually pretty straightforward.
If you’re hearing unusual noises, contact us. If your hearing aids aren’t functioning properly we can help with that.