Crackling in your ear? Buzzing, crackling, “static” or whooshing sounds in your ear can all be indications of a disorder called tinnitus. Here is some important facts.
Where is that crackling, buzzing, or ringing noise coming from? In the case of somebody who has hearing aids, it may mean they need to be adjusted and fitted. For everybody else, tinnitus may be the answer.
Even though we usually think of our ears with regards to what we see on the outside, there’s more than meets the eye – or in this instance, the ear. Here are a few of the more common noises you may 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 one thing – it’s not Rice Krispies. It isn’t unusual to hear a crackling or popping sound when there’s a change in pressure in your ear. This can happen because you had an altitude change, went underwater, or just yawned. These noises are caused by a small part of your ear known as the eustachian tube. When these mucus lined passages open up to neutralize the air pressure, fluid, and air move causing these sounds to occur.
It’s a natural process, but sometimes, like if you’re dealing with inflammation 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 may require medical treatment like surgery.
I’m Hearing Vibration in my Ears – What Does That Mean?
Vibrations in the ear are often a telling sign of tinnitus. Technically speaking, tinnitus is the medical term for when somebody 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 mild, and in others, debilitating.
What Should I do About Sounds in my Ear
Once again, if you have hearing aids, you should first check those. You might hear these kinds of sounds for a number of reasons: the hearing aids aren’t sitting properly within your ears, the volume is too high, your hair is rubbing against them, or your batteries are running low. If you don’t have hearing aids, accumulated earwax may be the issue.
It seems logical that too much wax could make it hard to hear and cause itchiness or even inner ear infections, but how can earwax cause a noise? If it’s pushing against your eardrum, it can actually inhibit the eardrum’s ability to function, which is what causes the buzzing or ringing. The good news is, earwax problems are easily fixed.
If you’re hearing unusual sounds, contact us. We can examine your hearing aid to make sure it’s working correctly.