Do you hear a crackling sound? Buzzing, crackling, “static”, or whooshing sounds in your ear can all be symptoms of a condition known as tinnitus. Here’s some info.
Ever hear crackling, buzzing, or thumping noises that seem to come out of nowhere? If this is happening with hearing aids, it might mean you need to come in and get an adjustment. But those sounds are most likely coming from inside of your ears if you don’t have hearing aids.
Don’t fret 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 noises you might hear inside of your ears, and what they may indicate is going on. Though the majority are harmless (and temporary), it’s a good idea to see us if any of these noises are chronic, painful, or are otherwise impeding your quality of life.
What’s causing the snap, crackle, and pop in my ear?
It’s not Rice Krispies, that’s for certain. When the pressure inside of your ears changes, whether from altitude, going underwater, or just yawning, you could hear crackling or popping noises. The eustachian tube, which is a tiny tube in your ear, is the cause of these noises. When the pressure in these mucus lined passageways equalizes, the passages open up allowing air and mucus to circulate.
If you have an excess of mucus inside of these passages, frequently due to allergies, a cold, or an ear infection, they can get clogged and the normally automatic process will become disrupted. There could be situations where a surgery is required in more extreme cases where decongestant sprays, chicken noodle soup, or antibiotics don’t help. You should make an appointment with us if you can’t get any relief from the constant ear pain and pressure.
What does it mean when I hear vibrations in my ear?
Sometimes, vibrations in the ear are an obvious indication of tinnitus. The word tinnitus refers to a disorder where noises are heard in the ears but those noises don’t originate in the outside world. Most people will refer to it as a ringing in the ears and it occurs across the spectrum, from barely there to debilitating.
Is the ringing and buzzing in my ear tinnitus?
Once again, if you have hearing aids, you might hear these types of sounds for numerous reasons: the hearing aids aren’t sitting securely within your ears, the volume is too high, or your batteries are getting low. But these sounds can also be caused by too much earwax.
It makes sense that excessive wax could make it tough to hear and cause itchiness or even inner ear infections, but how can earwax produce a sound? Your eardrum can be restricted if wax is pressing against it and that can create these sounds.
And yes, excessive, chronic buzzing or ringing is indicative of tinnitus. Even buzzing from too much earwax counts as a kind of tinnitus. Tinnitus itself is usually a symptom of something else going on with your health and isn’t itself a disorder or disease. Your tinnitus might be caused by simple earwax accumulation but it can also be linked to more serious issues such as depression and anxiety. Diagnosing and treating the root health problem can help alleviate tinnitus, so you should contact us to learn more about ways to decrease your symptoms.
What’s causing rumbling in my ears?
This next symptom is less common than others, and if you can hear it, you’re the one making the sound happen. Sometimes, if you have a really big yawn, you will hear a low rumble in your ears. That rumble is the sound of little muscles inside of your ears contracting in order to soften sounds you make. They turn down the volume on yawning, chewing, and even your own voice.
These sounds occur so often, and are so near to your ears, without these muscles your ears can be damaged. One of these muscles, called the tensor tympani can, in extremely unusual cases, be purposely controlled to generate this rumbling. In other circumstances, a condition known as tonic tensor tympani syndrome (TTTS) will cause individuals to suffer from tensor tympani muscle spasms. Studies have revealed that TTTS happens frequently in individuals with tinnitus and those dealing with hyperacusis, which is a sensitivity to particular sound volumes and frequencies.
What causes a fluttering sound in my ear?
Have you ever felt a flutter in your legs or arms 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 impacts 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 disorder. Inner ear surgery to correct the condition is an option if the medications don’t work, but success varies from procedure to procedure.
Why are my ears drumming, pumping, and pulsing so much?
If you occasionally feel like you’re hearing your heartbeat pulsing inside your ears, you’re most likely right. Some of the body’s biggest veins run very close to your ears, and if your heart rate is up – whether from a tough workout, big job interview, or a medical disorder like high blood pressure – your ears will tune in to the sound of your pulse.
Most kinds of tinnitus can’t be heard by others but that’s not the case with pulsitile tinnitus. Pulsatile tinnitus isn’t hard for us to diagnose because we can listen in on your ears and hear the thumping and pulsing as well. If your heart is pounding, it’s not unusual to hear your own pulse, but if you’re hearing this pumping at other times that isn’t normal.
If you do experience this pumping or pulsing every day, it’s probably a smart move to come in for a consultation. Like other forms of tinnitus, pulsatile tinnitus is a symptom of another ailment rather than a disease, so it could indicate a health problem, such as high blood pressure, if it continues. It’s essential to tell us about your heart health history as pulsitile tinnitus can point to a heart condition. But if you just had a hard workout (or a good scare), you should stop hearing the pulsing or pumping as soon as your heart rate returns to normal.
Why does my ear keep clicking?
The pressure inside your ears is kept in balance, as previously stated, by the eustachian tubes. If you have a muscle spasm in the muscles that are close to the Eustachian tube, like for instance in the roof of your mouth, it can cause a repeated clicking sound. For the same reason, you may hear clicking when you swallow. What you’re hearing, is the Eustachian tube opening and closing. Some individuals describe hearing a clicking noise when their head drains of mucus. In some rare instances, persistent clicking could be an indication of a fracture in one of the little bones in your ear.
Is ear popping a sign of infection?
Sometimes, an ear infection produces the feeling that your ears are clogged and the swelling can make your ears pop. If your ears are popping, it may be a sign of acute infection. You should make an appointment with us right away if you have any other symptoms, including ear pain, abrupt loss of hearing, or fever. Sometimes, your ears will pop in the days following an infection or cold as your head clears of mucus.
Can I stop this crackling in my ears?
Do you believe that the crackling sound in your ears is tinnitus? Come in and consult with us and we can help you learn what treatments are best for your situation.
References
https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/uf9680
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24289817/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23571302/
