Crackling in your ear? Buzzing, crackling, “static” or whooshing noises in your ear can all be indications of a condition called tinnitus. Here is what you should know.
Do you ever hear crackling, buzzing, or thumping noises that seem to come out of nowhere? In the case of somebody who has hearing aids, it might mean they need to be adjusted and fitted. For everybody else, tinnitus might be the answer.
Even though we typically think of our ears with regards to what we see on the outside, there’s more than meets the eye – or in this case, the ear. Here are some of the more prevalent noises you might hear in your ears, and what they could indicate is happening.
What’s The Cause of The Snap, Crackle, And Pop in My Ear?
It’s not Rice Krispies that’s for sure. It’s not unusual to hear a crackling or popping 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. A tiny part of your ear called the eustachian tube is the source of these noises. The crackling is caused by mucus-lined passageways opening up, permitting air and fluid to move and neutralize the pressure in your ears.
It’s a natural process, but sometimes, like if you’re dealing with congestion from allergies, a cold, or an ear infection, your eustachian tubes can literally get clogged up from an excess of mucus in your system (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 could call for medical treatment such as surgery.
What Does it Mean When I Hear Vibrations in My Ear?
Sometimes tinnitus is experienced as a vibration in the ears. Technically, tinnitus is the medical term for when somebody hears unusual sounds, such as vibrations, in their ears that don’t come from any external sources. Most people 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 Noises in my Ear
Once again, if you use hearing aids, you should check those first. There might be a number of reasons that you would hear these sounds: your batteries need to be recharged, the hearing aids aren’t correctly seated in your ears, the volume is too loud, or your hair is brushing up against it. If you don’t use hearing aids, excessive earwax may be the issue.
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? The buzzing or ringing can be caused by earwax pushing against your eardrum and hindering its function. Luckily, managing earwax is usually pretty straightforward.
If you’re hearing odd sounds, call us. We can check your hearing aid to make certain it’s functioning properly.
