Crackling in your ear? Buzzing, crackling, “static”, or whooshing sounds in your ear can all be signs of a condition known as tinnitus. Here’s what you should know.
Ever hear crackling, buzzing, or thumping noises that seem to come from nowhere? If you have hearing aids, it can mean that they need adjustment or aren’t properly fitted. But if you don’t have hearing aids, those sounds might just be coming from inside your ear.
Don’t worry there’s no need to stress. Your ears have a lot more going on inside than what they appear to be on the outside. Here are some of the more common sounds you may hear inside your ears, and what they may indicate is happening. Most of these sounds are short-term and harmless but if you have tinnitus noises that are painful or are chronic you should schedule a consultation with us.
What’s causing the snap, crackle, and pop in my ear?
It’s not Rice Krispies, that’s for certain. You could hear crackling or popping when you have a pressure change, whether from a change in altitude, going under water, or just yawning. The eustachian tube, which is a small tube in your ear, is the cause of these sounds. The crackling happens when these mucus-lined passageways open up, allowing air and fluid to circulate and equalize the pressure inside your ears.
It’s an automatic process, but occasionally, like if you are dealing with inflammation caused by allergies, a cold, or an ear infection, your eustachian tubes can literally get clogged from the overabundance of mucus in your system (don’t forget, your ears, nose, and throat are all connected). In extreme cases where decongestant sprays, chicken soup, or antibiotics don’t provide relief, a blockage could call for surgery. You should make an appointment with us if you can’t find any relief from the nagging ear pain and pressure.
What does it mean when I hear vibrations in my ear?
Sometimes, vibrations in the ear are an obvious symptom of tinnitus. The term tinnitus relates to a disorder where sounds are heard in the ears but those noises don’t originate in the outside world. The intensity level of the sound can range from very quiet to deafening and most people will refer to it as ringing in the ears.
Is the buzzing and ringing in my ear tinnitus?
There are also several reasons why you may hear these sounds if you wear hearing aids: the hearing aids aren’t sitting properly within your ears, the volume is too loud, or your batteries are running low. But if you don’t have hearing aids and you’re hearing this type of sound, it could also be caused by excess earwax.
Too much earwax is well known to cause itchiness and to make it harder to hear, as well as the possibility of an ear infection, but how can it create sounds. If it’s touching your eardrum, it can actually restrict the eardrum’s ability to function, which is what produces the buzzing or ringing.
And yes, significant, persistent ringing or buzzing is indicative of tinnitus. And the noises generated by earwax are actually a type of tinnitus. Tinnitus itself is commonly a symptom of something else going on with your health and isn’t itself a disease or disorder. While it could be as simple as wax buildup, tinnitus is also associated with conditions like anxiety and depression. Diagnosing and treating the underlying health problem can help relieve tinnitus, so you should consult with us to find out more about ways to reduce your symptoms.
What’s causing rumbling in my ears?
This specific symptom is self-produced. Sometimes, you can hear a low rumbling when you yawn. That rumble is the sound of tiny muscles inside of your ears tensing in order to soften sounds you make. Some of these sounds include your own voice, chewing, and yawning.
These sounds occur so often, and are so close to your ears, without these muscles your ears can be damaged. One of these muscles, called the tensor tympani can, in very rare cases, be intentionally controlled to generate this rumbling. In other circumstances, people suffer from tympani muscle spasms caused by tonic tensor tympani syndrome, or TTTS. Individuals suffering from tinnitus or hyperacusis, which is a sensitivity to certain frequencies of sound, commonly experience TTTS.
What causes a fluttering noise in my ear?
Have you ever felt a flutter in your arms or legs after exercising? Muscle spasms are the cause of those flutters exactly like the ones in your ears. Middle ear myoclonus, also called MEM tinnitus, is a condition that affects the aforementioned tensor tympani muscle and the stapedius muscle in your middle ear. Usually, this condition is initially managed with muscle relaxers and anticonvulsants, since it’s a muscle condition. If medications don’t help, inner ear surgery can have varying degrees of success.
I hear a pumping or pulsing in my ears
You’re likely not off base if you think you hear your own pulse or heartbeat inside your ears. Your ears are really close to some major veins and arteries and if you just worked out, have high blood pressure, or are very nervous you will most likely hear your own pulse.
This is called pulsatile tinnitus, and unlike other forms of tinnitus, it’s one that others can hear. Pulsatile tinnitus is not difficult for us to diagnose because we can listen in on your ears and hear the pumping and pulsing too. If your heart is racing, it’s not abnormal to hear your own heartbeat, but if you’re hearing this thumping at other times that’s not normal.
It’s a smart idea to come in for a consultation if you’re hearing this pulsing every day. If it persists, pulsatile tinnitus could be an indication of high blood pressure or other health concerns. Sometimes, pulsatile tinnitus is related back to a heart condition, so it’s important to talk about your heart with us. But after a good scare or workout, your hearing should go back to normal when your heart rate returns to normal.
Why does my ear keep clicking?
The pressure in your ears is kept in balance, as previously stated, by the eustachian tubes. Repeated clicking can frequently be heard when you get muscle spasms in the muscles near the eustachian tubes (like in the roof of your mouth). Clicking can also occur when you swallow for the same reasons. What you’re hearing, is the Eustachian tube opening and closing. A clicking can sometimes be heard when mucus empties from the head. In some rare situations, chronic clicking could be an indication of a fracture in one of the fragile bones in your ear.
Does it mean I have an infection if my ears are popping?
Sometimes, an ear infection creates the feeling that your ears are clogged and the swelling can make your ears pop. If your ears are popping, it could be a sign of severe infection. If you have any other symptoms, like ear pain, sudden hearing loss, or fever, you need to schedule a consultation right away. Sometimes, after an infection, as your head drains of mucus, your ears will pop.
Can I stop this crackling in my ears?
Do you hear a crackling in your ear and suspect you have tinnitus? Set up a consultation with us to find out about treatments available to you.
References
https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/uf9680
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24289817/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23571302/
