Crackling in your ear? Buzzing, crackling, “static” or whooshing noises in your ear can all be signs of a condition known as tinnitus. Here is what you need to know.
Where is that crackling, buzzing, or ringing sound coming from? In the case of someone who has hearing aids, it might mean they fitting and adjustments. For everyone else, tinnitus may be the answer.
There’s a lot more to the ear than what you see on the outside. Here are a few of the more prevalent noises you might hear inside your ears, and what they could indicate is happening.
I’m Hearing a Snap, Crackle, And Pop in my Ears But What’s The Cause?
We can tell you this – it’s not Rice Krispies. When the pressure in your ears changes – whether from an altitude change, going underwater, or simply yawning – you might hear crackling or popping noises. A small part of your ear named the eustachian tube is the source of these noises. When these mucus lined passages open up to equalize the air pressure, fluid, and air move causing these noises to manifest.
It’s an automatic process, but sometimes, like if you have inflammation from allergies, a cold, or an ear infection, your eustachian tubes can literally get clogged up from an excess of mucus in your system (don’t forget, that there’s a connection between your ears, throat, and nose). In serious cases where decongestant sprays, chicken soup, or antibiotics don’t provide relief, a blockage could call for medical treatment like surgery.
I’m Hearing Vibration in my Ears – What Does That Mean?
Vibrations in the ear are often a telltale sign of tinnitus. Technically speaking, tinnitus is the scientific term for when somebody hears abnormal noises, like vibrations, in their ears that do not come from any outside sources. It’s commonly characterized as a ringing in the ears and can, in some instances, be minimal, and in others, debilitating.
What Should I do About Noises in my Ear
Again, if you have hearing aids, you should first check those. You may hear these types of sounds for numerous reasons: your batteries are running low, the hearing aids aren’t properly seated in your ears, the volume is too high, or your hair is brushing up against it. If you don’t have hearing aids, accumulated earwax might be the problem.
Dull hearing, itchy ears, and ear infections can frequently be caused by excessive earwax but how could it be responsible for tinnitus noises? If it is pushing against your eardrum, it can actually inhibit the eardrum’s ability to function, which is what causes the buzzing or ringing. Luckily, dealing with earwax is frequently pretty simple.
If you’re hearing unusual noises, call us. If your hearing aids are not functioning correctly we can help with that.