Are you hearing crackling in your ear? Crackling, Buzzing, “static” or whooshing noises in your ear can all be indications of a condition called tinnitus. Here is what you need to know.
Ever hear crackling, thumping, and buzzing noises that seem to come from nowhere? When it comes to somebody who uses hearing aids, it may mean they fitting and adjustments. For everyone else, tinnitus might be the answer.
There’s much more to the ear than what you see on the outside. Here’s what it could mean when some of these more prevalent sounds are playing in your ears.
What’s The Cause of 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 may hear crackling or popping sounds. These noises are caused by a small part of your ear called the eustachian tube. The crackling is caused by mucus-lined passageways opening up, allowing air and fluid to circulate and neutralize the pressure in your ears.
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 normally an automatic process (keep in mind, your ears, nose, and throat or all connected). In serious cases where decongestant sprays, chicken soup, or antibiotics don’t provide relief, a blockage may require medical intervention such as 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 someone hears unusual sounds, such as vibrations, in their ears that don’t come from any external sources. Most individuals will refer to it as a ringing in the ears and it manifests across the spectrum, from hardly there to debilitating.
Is There Anything That Can be Done?
Again, if you have hearing aids, you should first check those. You may hear these kinds of sounds for a number of reasons: the hearing aids aren’t sitting correctly inside of your ears, the volume is too high, your hair is rubbing against them, or your batteries are running low. If you don’t use hearing aids, accumulated earwax may be the issue.
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 pushing against your eardrum, it can actually hinder the eardrum’s ability to function, which is what causes the ringing or buzzing. Fortunately, earwax problems are easily fixed.
If you’re hearing odd sounds, give us a call. If your hearing aids are not working properly we can help with that.