Crackling in your ear? Crackling, Buzzing, “static” or whooshing noises in your ear can all be indications of a condition called tinnitus. Here is what you need to know.
Where is that crackling, buzzing, or ringing noise coming from? When it comes to someone who uses hearing aids, it may mean they fitting and adjustments. For everybody else, tinnitus might be the answer.
Although we mostly think of our ears in terms of what we see on the outside, there’s more than meets the eye – or in this case, the ear. Here are a few of the more prevalent noises you may hear inside your ears, and what they could indicate is going on.
What’s The Cause of The Snap, Crackle, And Pop in My Ear?
We can tell you one thing – it’s not Rice Krispies. It isn’t uncommon to hear a popping or crackling sound when there’s a change in pressure in your ear. This can be because you had an altitude change, went underwater, or just yawned. These noises are caused by a tiny part of your ear known as the eustachian tube. When these mucus lined passages open up to equalize the air pressure, fluid, and air circulate causing these noises to occur.
Occasionally, such as when you have allergies, a cold, or an ear infection, an excess of mucus in your system can clog up the eustachian tubes and impede what is ordinarily an automatic process (remember, your ears, nose, and throat or all connected). In serious cases where decongestant sprays, chicken soup, or antibiotics don’t provide relief, a blockage may require medical intervention like surgery.
What Does it Mean When I Hear Vibrations in My Ear?
Vibrations in the ear are often a telltale indication of tinnitus. Technically speaking, tinnitus is the medical term for when somebody hears unusual sounds, like vibrations, in their ears that do not come from any outside sources. 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 use hearing aids, you should check those first. You might hear these kinds of sounds for numerous reasons: your batteries need to be recharged, the hearing aids aren’t correctly positioned in your ears, the volume is too high, or your hair is brushing up against it. But if you don’t use hearing aids and you’re hearing this kind of sound, it may also be because of excess earwax.
Dull hearing, irritated ears, and ear infections can frequently be caused by excessive earwax but how could it be responsible for tinnitus noises? The ringing or buzzing can be caused by earwax pushing against your eardrum and hindering its function. Fortunately, dealing with earwax is usually pretty simple.
If you’re hearing odd noises, contact us. If your hearing aids aren’t functioning correctly we can help with that.
