Are you hearing 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.
Where is that crackling, buzzing, or ringing sound coming from? In the case of someone who has hearing aids, it might mean they need to be adjusted and fitted. For everybody else, tinnitus may be the answer.
Although we usually 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 are a few of the more common noises you might hear in your ears, and what they could reveal 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 an altitude change, going underwater, or simply yawning – you might hear crackling or popping noises. A small part of your ear named 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 noises to occur.
It’s an automatic process, but in some cases, 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 (remember, your ears, nose, and throat or all connected). Medical assistance, like surgery, is occasionally called for in severe cases where nothing else has helped clear the blockage.
What Does it Mean When I Hear Vibrations in My Ear?
Sometimes tinnitus manifests as a vibration in the ears. Technically, tinnitus is the medical term for when someone hears unusual sounds, like vibrations, in their ears that don’t come from any external sources. It’s generally characterized as a ringing in the ears and can, in some instances, be minimal, and in others, debilitating.
What Should I do About Sounds in my Ear
If you use hearing aids, again, checking those is the first task. You may hear these types of sounds for a number of reasons: your batteries need to be recharged, the hearing aids aren’t properly seated in your ears, the volume is too loud, or your hair is brushing up against it. If you don’t use hearing aids, excessive earwax may 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 noises? If it’s pushing against your eardrum, it can actually restrict the eardrum’s ability to function, which is what causes the buzzing or ringing. The good thing is, earwax issues are easily fixed.
If you’re hearing unusual sounds, give us a call. We can check your hearing aid to make sure it’s functioning properly.