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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 condition called tinnitus. Here is what you should know.

Do you ever hear crackling, thumping, and buzzing sounds that seem to come from nowhere? If you use hearing aids, it can mean that they require adjustment or aren’t fitted correctly. But if you don’t use hearing aids it may be tinnitus.

There’s a lot more to the ear than what you see on the outside. Here are some of the more prevalent sounds you might 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. When the pressure in your ears changes – whether from a change in altitude, going underwater, or just yawning – you may hear crackling or popping noises. These sounds are caused by a tiny part of your ear called the eustachian tube. When these mucus lined passages open up to neutralize the air pressure, fluid, and air move causing these noises to occur.

It’s a natural process, but occasionally, like if you’re dealing with congestion from allergies, a cold, or an ear infection, your eustachian tubes can actually get gummed up from an excess of mucus in your system (remember, your ears, nose, and throat or all connected). In extreme cases where decongestant sprays, chicken soup, or antibiotics don’t provide relief, a blockage may require medical intervention like surgery.

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

Sometimes tinnitus is experienced as a vibration in the ears. Technically, tinnitus is the scientific term for when somebody hears abnormal noises, such as vibrations, in their ears that don’t come from any outside sources. It’s generally described as a ringing in the ears and can, in some instances, be minimal, 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 might hear these types of sounds for numerous reasons: the hearing aids aren’t sitting correctly within your ears, the volume is too high, your hair is rubbing against them, or your batteries are running low. But if you don’t use hearing aids and you’re hearing this kind of sound, it could also be because of excess earwax.

Dull hearing, irritated ears, and ear infections can frequently be caused by too much 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 ringing or buzzing. Luckily, dealing with earwax is frequently pretty straightforward.

If you’re hearing odd sounds, contact us. If your hearing aids aren’t functioning properly 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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