Hearing Health Blog

Bowl of Rice Krispies making noise in your ear.

Are you hearing crackling in your ear? A condition known as tinnitus can produce numerous different sounds in your ears including buzzing, ringing, whooshing, and crackling. Here is what you should know.

Ever hear crackling, thumping, and buzzing sounds that seem to come out of nowhere? If you have hearing aids, it can mean that they require adjustment or aren’t fitted correctly. For everybody else, tinnitus may be the answer.

Although we mostly think of our ears in terms of what we see on the outside, there’s more than meets the eye – or in this case, the ear. Here are some of the more prevalent sounds you may hear in your ears, and what they could 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. When the pressure in your ears changes – whether from a change in altitude, going underwater, or just yawning – you might hear crackling or popping sounds. A tiny part of your ear called 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.

Occasionally, like when you have allergies, a cold, or an ear infection, an overabundance of mucus in your system can clog up the eustachian tubes and impede what is ordinarily an automatic process (keep in mind, your ears, nose, and throat or all connected). Medical assistance, like surgery, is occasionally called for in extreme cases where nothing else has helped clear the blockage.

I’m Hearing Vibration in my Ears – What Does That Mean?

Vibrations in the ear are often a telltale indication of tinnitus. Technically, tinnitus is the medical term for when somebody hears abnormal sounds, such as vibrations, in their ears that do not come from any outside sources. Most people will refer to it as a ringing in the ears and it manifests across the spectrum, from barely there to 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 several 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. If you don’t use hearing aids, excessive earwax may be the problem.

Dull hearing, irritated 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 inhibit the eardrum’s ability to function, which is what causes the buzzing or ringing. The good thing is, earwax issues are easily fixed.

Reach out to us if you have unusual noises in your ears. If your hearing aids are not working correctly we can help with that.

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The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.
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