What Does Crackling in Your Ear Mean?
Common and Uncommon Causes, Some of Which Don't Cause Pain
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Medically reviewed by John Carew, MD
A crackling noise in the ear can have a number of causes. Commonly, it is caused by ear congestion as a result of eustachian tube dysfunction. This crackling is usually painless and not serious. It can be managed with measures such as yawning, swallowing, or taking medications like decongestants.
Crackling noise may also be caused by other factors, such as tinnitus. This article will discuss common causes of a crackling noise in the ear, how to find relief, and what to do if the crackling doesn't go away.
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Most Common Causes of Crackling in Ear
A crackling sound in the ear can be caused by a number of factors, including:
Earwax buildup
Hyperacusis
Ruptured eardrum
Ear Congestion
Popping and crackling noises in the ear are common symptoms of ear congestion, particularly from fluid trapped in the middle ear. This can occur after an ear infection has cleared up and may last for months.
Ear congestion is usually related to the inability of the eustachian tube (a small tube in the ear) to drain properly.
Causes of ear congestion include:
Colds and other infections that cause nasal congestion
Blowing the nose too hard
Environmental allergies, such as hay fever
Atmospheric pressure changes, such as descending while in an airplane
Earwax Buildup
Earwax is normal and helps to protect and lubricate the ear canal. Usually, earwax clears on its own, moving to the opening of the ear through the help of chewing and jaw motion, where it falls out or can be wiped away.
Sometimes, earwax can build up within the ear. This can cause symptoms such as:
Ringing, crackling, or other noises in the ear
A feeling of fullness in the ear
Itching
Odor or discharge
Hearing loss
Using a cotton swab or other objects to try to clear earwax can make the problem worse by pushing the wax further into the ear canal.
Tinnitus
Tinnitus means a person can hear a sound that others cannot hear, and that doesn't have an external source. It is common, affecting about 10% to 25% of adults.
The sound heard with tinnitus varies. Ringing is common, but it can also sound like roaring, buzzing, crackling, or other sounds.
The exact cause of tinnitus isn't known, but it may be related to:
Loud noise exposure
Medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Advil (ibuprofen), Aleve (naproxen), and aspirin, certain antibiotics, antidepressants, chemotherapy (anticancer drugs), and antimalarial medications
Hearing loss
Blockage of the ear canal by earwax or fluid (such as from an ear infection)
Head or neck injuries
Hyperacusis
People with hyperacusis have a reduced tolerance for sound, and find ordinary noises uncomfortable, loud, or painful. Hyperacusis can cause voices (including your own) to sound distorted or loud, cause a popping sensation in the ear, worsen tinnitus, and other discomforts related to sound.
Causes of hyperacusis include:
Hearing changes from aging
Exposure to loud noise, either acute (like an explosion) or chronic (like working in a loud environment)
Injuries such as a slap to the ear, a head injury, or ear surgery
Certain medications
Paralysis of the facial nerve
Clearing a blocked ear canal (can cause temporary sensitivity to sound)
Ruptured Eardrum
The eardrum can rupture, causing an opening or hole in the thin piece of tissue that separates the outer ear from the middle ear. This can cause symptoms such as:
Noises in the ear
Earache or discomfort in the ear
Sudden decrease in ear pain
Hearing loss (may be partial)
Dizziness or weakness of the face (if severe)
Causes of damage to the eardrum can include:
Built-up pressure behind the eardrum from an ear infection
A loud noise close to the ear
Foreign objects in the ear, including cotton swabs and other objects used for cleaning
Rapid change in ear pressure, such as when flying or scuba diving
Injury to the ear, such as from a slap or explosion
Other Symptoms You May Have With Ear Crackling
Depending on the cause of your ear crackling, you may also have other symptoms, including:
A feeling that your ear is plugged or "stuffed up"
Muffled hearing
A ringing in the ear
Dizziness
When You Hear Crackling in Your Ear: Steps to Take
If you are unsure what is causing the crackling in your ear, it's a good idea to see a healthcare provider, such as:
Your general practitioner
An ear, nose, and throat specialist (otolaryngologist)
An audiologist (hearing specialist)
The healthcare provider can do a physical examination, including looking in your ear with an otoscope to check for earwax, fluid, infection, damage to the eardrum, and other possible causes for your symptoms. They will also take a medical history to see if there could be an underlying reason for the crackling, including a medical condition or certain medications.
If there is also hearing loss, audiology testing may also be performed to determine the extent of the hearing loss.
If you are experiencing tinnitus, your healthcare provider may refer you to an ear, nose, and throat doctor or an audiologist. Tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), or ultrasound may be ordered if necessary.
Medical Treatment for Crackling in Ear
Treatment for crackling in the ear depends on the cause.
Treatment for Ear Congestion
Ear congestion is usually not serious and can often be treated at home with measures such as:
Swallowing, chewing, yawning, and other facial motions
Chewing gum (over age 6 years)
Flushing nasal cavities with a saline solution
Medications such as decongestants or antihistamines (check with your healthcare provider first)
Symptoms usually clear up within a couple of days with treatment. If ear congestion persists, surgery may be needed.
Treatment for Earwax Buildup
Clean ear wax from the outer ear with a soft cloth. Do not insert anything into the ear canal.
If there is a buildup of wax in the canal, you can try to soften it by placing a few drops in the ear of:
Mineral oil
Baby oil
Glycerin
Hydrogen peroxide
Carbamide peroxide
Irrigation or ear syringing kits are available for home use, usually involving water and saline solutions warmed to body temperature. Irrigation can also be done by a healthcare provider. Home irrigation should be avoided if you have:
Diabetes
A hole in the eardrum
A tube in the eardrum
Skin problems in the ear canal (such as eczema)
A weakened immune system
Manual earwax removal should only be done by a healthcare professional with the tools to do it safely and effectively.
Treatment for Tinnitus
Symptoms of tinnitus may last for months to years. Treatments that may help include:
Addressing the underlying cause, if known: This includes earwax or jaw joint problems.
Sound therapies: Devices such as sound generators are used in an attempt to reverse neural changes in the brain that may have led to tinnitus. It can also help mask or distract from the tinnitus sounds.
Hearing aids: Amplifying external sound can help with hearing loss and make tinnitus less noticeable.
Behavioral therapy/cognitive behavioral therapy: Counseling can help reduce the impact of tinnitus on your life.
Tinnitus retraining therapy: Counseling and sound therapy are used to emotionally and physiologically "retrain" the brain to reclassify the tinnitus sounds as neutral and help you get used to their presence.
Medications: Medications like antidepressants or antianxiety medications don't treat tinnitus directly but can help improve mood or sleep.
Treatment for Hyperacusis
Because noise sensitivity is often caused by damage to the inner ear, there is usually no cure. Avoiding noise exposure can help. Hyperacusis symptoms can be managed by measures such as:
Wearing hearing protection in places where noise is excessive, such as loud music or around power tools
Asking people to keep their voices low and not raise them when speaking to you
Reintroducing everyday noises as soon as you can to desensitize yourself to them
Talking to a mental health professional to help manage the impact of your sensitivity to noise on your life and develop coping strategies
Tinnitus retraining therapy
Medication to help with sleep (short-term remedy)
Treatment for Ruptured Eardrum
A ruptured eardrum can heal on its own. While it is healing:
Ease discomfort by putting warm compresses on the ear.
Medications such as Advil/Motrin (ibuprofen) or Tylenol (acetaminophen) can help ease pain.
Keep the ear clean and dry.
Avoid swimming or putting your head underwater.
Use cotton balls in your ear while showering to keep water and shampoo out of the ear.
Use antibiotics or other medications as directed, if your healthcare provider prescribes them.
If the eardrum does not heal on its own, or the perforation is large, it may need to be surgically repaired using procedures such as:
Tympanoplasty: The eardrum is patched with the person's own tissue.
Myringoplasty: Gel or special paper is placed over the eardrum.
Less Common Causes of Crackling in Ear
In rare cases, blockage of the eustachian tube can be an indication of a more serious problem, such as:
Nasal polyps
Cleft palate
Skull base tumor
A rare form of tinnitus called middle ear myoclonus can cause a crackling sound or other noises. It involves abnormal movement of muscles.
Some less common risk factors for tinnitus include:
Ménière’s disease: An inner ear disorder
Jaw joint problems: Can be caused by clenching or tooth grinding
Blood vessel problems: Such as high blood pressure or atherosclerosis (thickening or hardening of the arteries)
Tumor-related disorders: Such as acoustic neuromas
Chronic conditions: Such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, migraines, anemia, and certain autoimmune conditions
Crackling in Ear Not Going Away
If you aren't sure what is causing the crackling in your ear, see your healthcare provider. Also see your healthcare provider if:
There could be a foreign object in the ear.
Ear congestion lasts longer than 48 hours.
You feel dizzy.
You have a fever or feel generally unwell.
You have hearing loss.
You are still experiencing symptoms longer than two months after treatment for a ruptured eardrum.
You are hearing ringing in your ear.
Earwax has built up, and you cannot use home remedies or they are not effective.
You have any questions or concerns.
Summary
Crackling noise in the ear is commonly caused by ear congestion or earwax buildup. It may also result from tinnitus, hyperacusis, or a ruptured eardrum.
Ear congestion can often be treated at home with measures such as yawning, swallowing, chewing, and taking decongestants or antihistamines. Earwax can often be loosened at home using commercial kits, or a healthcare provider can clear it. Never insert objects into your ear.
Tinnitus may be helped by sound therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, or tinnitus retraining therapy. There is no cure for hyperacusis, but avoiding certain noises and working to desensitize yourself to noise can help. A ruptured eardrum can heal on its own but may sometimes require surgery.
If you aren't sure why you hear a crackling noise or it isn't going away, talk to a healthcare provider.
