Bowl of Rice Krispies making noise in your ear.

Crackling in your ear? Crackling, Buzzing, “static” or whooshing sounds in your ear can all be signs of a disorder known as tinnitus. Here is what you should know.

Where is that crackling, ringing, or buzzing sound coming from? If you have hearing aids, it can mean that they need to be adjusted or aren’t properly fitted. But if you don’t use hearing aids it could be tinnitus.

There’s a lot more to the ear than what you see on the outside. Here are some of the more common noises you may hear in your ears, and what they may indicate is happening.

I’m Hearing a Snap, Crackle, And Pop in my Ears But What’s The Cause?

It’s not Rice Krispies that’s for certain. It isn’t unusual to hear a crackling or popping sound when the pressure in your ear changes. This can be because you had a change in altitude, went underwater, or simply yawned. These sounds are caused by a small part of your ear known as 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.

Sometimes, like when you’re dealing with allergies, a cold, or an ear infection, an excess of mucus in your system can clog up the eustachian tubes and impede what is normally an automatic process (don’t forget, that there’s a connection between your ears, throat, and nose). Medical assistance, like surgery, is occasionally called for in extreme cases where nothing else has helped clear the blockage.

What Does it Mean When I Hear Vibrations in My Ear?

Vibrations in the ear are often a telltale sign of tinnitus. Technically speaking, tinnitus is the medical term for when someone hears unusual noises, like vibrations, in their ears that do not come from any outside sources. It’s generally described as a ringing in the ears and can, in some instances, be mild, and in others, debilitating.

Is There Anything I Can do?

If you use hearing aids, again, checking those is the first task. 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 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 excessive earwax but how could it be responsible for tinnitus noises? If it’s touching your eardrum, it can actually hinder the eardrum’s ability to function, which is what causes the buzzing or ringing. Fortunately, managing earwax is frequently pretty straightforward.

Reach out to us if you have strange noises in your ears. If your hearing aids aren’t functioning 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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