Are you hearing crackling in your ear? Buzzing, crackling, “static” or whooshing noises in your ear can all be indications of a condition called tinnitus. Here is some relevant facts.
Where is that crackling, buzzing, or ringing noise coming from? If you have hearing aids, it can mean that they require adjustment or aren’t properly fitted. For everyone else, tinnitus may be the answer.
Although we mostly 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’s what it could mean when some of these more prevalent sounds are playing in your ears.
What’s Causing The Snap, Crackle, And Pop in My Ear?
It’s not Rice Krispies that’s for sure. When the pressure in your ears changes – whether from an altitude change, going underwater, or just yawning – you might hear crackling or popping noises. A small part of your ear known as the eustachian tube is the source of these noises. When these mucus lined passages open up to neutralize the air pressure, fluid, and air circulate causing these sounds to occur.
It’s an automatic process, but sometimes, like if you have congestion from allergies, a cold, or an ear infection, your eustachian tubes can literally get clogged up from the overabundance of mucus in your system (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 such as surgery.
I’m Hearing Vibration in my Ears – What Does That Mean?
Sometimes tinnitus manifests as a vibration in the ears. Tinnitus is the technical name for a condition that causes people to hear sounds that have no outside cause, such as vibrations, inside of the ear. It’s commonly characterized as a ringing in the ears and can, in some instances, be mild, and in others, debilitating.
What Should I do About Noises in my Ear
If you use hearing aids, again, checking those is the first task. You may hear these types of sounds for numerous reasons: your batteries need to be recharged, the hearing aids aren’t properly positioned in your ears, the volume is too loud, or your hair is brushing up against it. If you don’t use hearing aids, accumulated earwax might be the issue.
Dull hearing, irritated ears, and ear infections can frequently be caused by excessive earwax but how could it be responsible for tinnitus sounds? The ringing or buzzing can be caused by earwax pushing against your eardrum and hindering its function. Luckily, managing earwax is usually pretty straightforward.
If you’re hearing odd noises, contact us. If your hearing aids aren’t working correctly we can help with that.