Crackling in your ear? Buzzing, crackling, “static” or whooshing noises in your ear can all be signs of a condition called tinnitus. Here is what you need to know.
Ever hear crackling, buzzing, or thumping noises that seem to come out of nowhere? If you have hearing aids, it can mean that they require adjustment or aren’t fitted correctly. But if you don’t use hearing aids it may be tinnitus.
Even though 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 instance, the ear. Here’s what it may mean when some of these more common sounds are playing in your ears.
What’s The Cause of The Snap, Crackle, And Pop in My Ear?
We can tell you one thing – it’s not Rice Krispies. 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 noises are caused by a small part of your ear known as the eustachian tube. 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 an automatic process, but occasionally, like if you have congestion from allergies, a cold, or an ear infection, your eustachian tubes can actually get gummed up from an excess of mucus in your system (don’t forget, that there’s a connection between your ears, throat, and nose). In severe cases where decongestant sprays, chicken soup, or antibiotics don’t provide relief, a blockage might call for medical intervention such as surgery.
I’m Hearing Vibration in my Ears – What Does That Mean?
Sometimes tinnitus manifests as a vibration in the ears. Technically speaking, tinnitus is the medical term for when somebody hears abnormal sounds, such as vibrations, in their ears that don’t come from any external sources. It’s commonly described as a ringing in the ears and can, in some cases, be mild, and in others, debilitating.
What Should I do About Sounds in my Ear
If you use hearing aids, once again, checking those is the first task. You might hear these kinds of sounds for numerous reasons: your batteries are running low, 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 the result of excess earwax.
Dull hearing, irritated ears, and ear infections can frequently be caused by too much earwax but how could it be responsible for tinnitus noises? The ringing or buzzing can be caused by earwax touching your eardrum and hindering its function. Fortunately, earwax issues are easily fixed.
If you’re hearing unusual sounds, give us a call. If your hearing aids aren’t working properly we can help with that.