Are you hearing crackling in your ear? Buzzing, crackling, “static” or whooshing noises in your ear can all be indications of a condition known as tinnitus. Here is some important facts.
Do you ever hear crackling, buzzing, or thumping noises that seem to come out of nowhere? In the case of someone who uses hearing aids, it might mean they need to be adjusted and fitted. But if you don’t use hearing aids it may be tinnitus.
Although 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 prevalent sounds you might hear inside your ears, and what they may 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 uncommon to hear a popping or crackling sound when the pressure in your ear changes. This can happen because you had an altitude change, went underwater, or simply yawned. These sounds are caused by a small part of your ear called the eustachian tube. When these mucus lined passages open up to neutralize the air pressure, fluid, and air move causing these noises to manifest.
It’s a natural process, but occasionally, like if you have 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, your ears, nose, and throat or all connected). In extreme cases where decongestant sprays, chicken soup, or antibiotics don’t provide relief, a blockage might require medical intervention such as surgery.
I’m Hearing Vibration in my Ears – What Does That Mean?
Sometimes tinnitus is experienced as a vibration in the ears. Tinnitus is the medical name for a condition that causes people to hear sounds that have no outside cause, like vibrations, inside of the ear. Most people 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?
If you have hearing aids, again, checking those is the first step. There may be numerous reasons that you would hear these noises: the hearing aids aren’t sitting properly inside of your ears, the volume is too loud, your hair is rubbing against them, or your batteries need to be charged. But if you don’t have hearing aids and you’re hearing this type of sound, it may also be caused by accumulated earwax.
It makes sense that too much wax could make it difficult to hear and cause itchiness or even inner ear infections, but how can earwax create a noise? If it is touching your eardrum, it can actually inhibit the eardrum’s ability to function, which is what causes the buzzing or ringing. The good thing is, earwax problems are easily fixed.
If you’re hearing odd noises, call us. If your hearing aids are not functioning correctly we can help with that.