Are you hearing crackling in your ear? Buzzing, crackling, “static” or whooshing noises in your ear can all be indications of a disorder known as tinnitus. Here is some essential information.
Ever hear crackling, buzzing, or thumping noises that seem to come from nowhere? If you have hearing aids, it can mean that they require adjustment or aren’t fitted correctly. But if you don’t have hearing aids it could 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 case, the ear. Here are a few of the more prevalent sounds you might hear in your ears, and what they may indicate is going on.
What’s Causing The Snap, Crackle, And Pop in My Ear?
We can tell you this – 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 noises. These sounds 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.
Occasionally, like when you have allergies, a cold, or an ear infection, an overabundance of mucus in your system can gum up the eustachian tubes and impede what is usually an automatic process (don’t forget, that there’s a connection between your ears, throat, and nose). In extreme cases where decongestant sprays, chicken soup, or antibiotics don’t provide relief, a blockage could require medical intervention like surgery.
What Does it Mean When I Hear Vibrations in My Ear?
Sometimes tinnitus is experienced as a vibration in the ears. Technically speaking, tinnitus is the scientific term for when somebody hears unusual sounds, like vibrations, in their ears that don’t come from any outside sources. It’s typically described as a ringing in the ears and can, in some instances, be minimal, and in others, debilitating.
Is There Anything That Can be Done?
Again, if you use hearing aids, you should first check those. You might hear these kinds of sounds for numerous reasons: the hearing aids aren’t sitting properly inside of your ears, the volume is too loud, your hair is brushing against them, or your batteries need to be charged. But if you don’t have hearing aids and you’re hearing this kind of noise, it could also be because of excess earwax.
Dull hearing, itchy ears, and ear infections can often be caused by too much earwax but how could it be responsible for tinnitus sounds? If it’s touching your eardrum, it can actually hinder the eardrum’s ability to function, which is what causes the ringing or buzzing. Fortunately, earwax issues are easily fixed.
Reach out to us if you have odd sounds in your ears. If your hearing aids aren’t functioning correctly we can help with that.
