Crackling in the ear is a common symptom that many people experience. It can be caused by various underlying conditions, some harmless and others more serious. Determining the cause and severity requires an examination by a doctor. This article explores the common causes of crackling sounds in the ear, how to tell if it’s serious, and when to see a doctor.
What causes crackling in the ear?
There are several possible causes of crackling sounds in the ear:
Earwax buildup
Excessive earwax buildup is a common cause of crackling in the ear. As wax accumulates in the ear canal, it can harden and rub against the eardrum causing a crackling or popping sensation.
Eustachian tube dysfunction
The Eustachian tubes connect the middle ear to the back of the throat. They help regulate air pressure in the middle ear. If the Eustachian tubes become blocked due to inflammation from allergies, a cold, or other causes, it can lead to crackling sounds.
Outer ear infection
An outer ear infection, called otitis externa or swimmer’s ear, causes inflammation and swelling of the outer ear canal. This can lead to crackling sounds as the canal swells and rubs against the eardrum.
Middle ear infection
A middle ear infection, known medically as otitis media, also causes fluid buildup and inflammation in the middle ear. The fluid and swelling can result in a crackling sound as the eardrum and middle ear bones move.
Fluid in the middle ear
Fluid accumulation in the middle ear without an infection can also cause crackling sounds. This may occur due to allergies, colds, sinus infections, or dysfunction of the Eustachian tubes.
TMJ disorders
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders affect the joint connecting the jaw to the skull. TMJ dysfunction can cause clicking, popping, and crackling sounds that transfer through the bones to the ear.
Muscle spasms
Spasms of muscles around the ear and side of the head can sometimes produce crackling noises. The medical term for this is tinnitus aurium.
When is crackling in the ear serious?
Most causes of crackling in the ear are not serious. However, crackling combined with other symptoms can signify an underlying problem that requires medical treatment. See a doctor promptly if you experience:
- Crackling along with ear pain or discomfort
- Drainage or fluid leaking from the ear
- Hearing loss or muffled hearing
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Swelling around the ear
- Crackling that persists for more than a few days
These associated symptoms can indicate a middle or outer ear infection that requires prescription antibiotic eardrops or oral antibiotics. Letting an ear infection go untreated could lead to a ruptured eardrum or permanent hearing loss.
Crackling combined with hearing loss can also signify eustachian tube dysfunction or fluid buildup behind the eardrum that requires draining by an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor.
In rare cases, crackling with vertigo and neurological symptoms like facial numbness warrants urgent medical care to rule out a tumor or stroke.
When to see a doctor
You should make an appointment with your doctor if:
- Crackling does not resolve within a few days
- Crackling is accompanied by pain or discharge
- Hearing loss or dizziness occurs
- Crackling occurs with neurological symptoms like numbness
- Crackling is causing you significant discomfort
Seeking prompt medical attention is recommended if any worrisome symptoms accompany the crackling sound in the ear.
Diagnosing the cause
To diagnose the cause of crackling in the ear, the doctor will begin with a physical exam of the ears, nose, and throat. They will use an otoscope to visually inspect inside the ears.
Other tests that may be used include:
- Hearing test – An audiometry hearing test can identify hearing loss or changes.
- Tympanometry – This test measures eardrum movement to evaluate for fluid or pressure behind the eardrum.
- CT or MRI scans – Imaging tests may be done to rule out abnormalities of the temporal bone or cranial nerves.
Once the cause is diagnosed, appropriate treatment can be initiated.
Home treatment and remedies
If crackling in the ear is due to minor causes like wax buildup or eustachian tube dysfunction, there are some home remedies that may provide relief:
- Use over-the-counter wax softening drops to help clear excess earwax. Avoid digging in the ear.
- Try a warm compress over the affected ear to encourage wax removal and reduce swelling.
- Take oral decongestants or use a nasal spray to open the eustachian tubes.
- Do Valsalva maneuvers by holding the nose and gently blowing air into the ear to equalize pressure.
- Try chewing sugar-free gum to help open the eustachian tubes.
- Avoid irritants like cigarette smoke that can worsen symptoms.
- Use OTC pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen for discomfort.
However, see a doctor if symptoms persist or worsen when using home treatments.
Medical treatments
If an underlying infection or other medical cause is found, treatment may include:
- Antibiotics – Oral or topical antibiotic eardrops to treat bacterial infections.
- Steroid nasal spray – For eustachian tube dysfunction causing fluid buildup or sinus issues.
- Decongestants – Oral decongestants reduce inflammation and open the eustachian tubes.
- Antihistamines – For crackling related to allergies or upper respiratory inflammation.
- Surgery – Rarely, surgery like a myringotomy may be needed to drain fluid or insert ventilation tubes.
For noise-induced or age-related hearing loss, hearing aids may be recommended.
Self-care tips
In addition to medical treatments, following good self-care habits can help prevent ear problems that contribute to crackling:
- Practice good ear hygiene – Clean ears only with a soft, damp cloth to remove wax from the outer ear. Avoid inserting objects into the ear canal.
- Use earplugs – When swimming or taking a shower to keep water out of ears.
- Avoid irritants – Such as cigarette smoke which can increase inflammation.
- Treat allergies – Managing allergies can reduce crackling and eustachian tube dysfunction.
- Manage stress – Stress can exacerbate bruxism that leads to TMJ-related crackling.
Being aware of symptoms and seeing a doctor promptly for crackling accompanied by pain, discharge, or hearing changes can prevent minor issues from becoming serious.
Risk factors
Certain factors can increase risk of developing crackling in the ears:
- Repeated exposure to loud noises
- Ear trauma or injury
- Ear infections
- Allergies and sinus problems
- Smoking
- TMJ disorders
- Stress and teeth grinding
- Excessive ear cleaning with cotton swabs
- Head colds
- Growths in the ear canal
- Hypothyroidism
- Autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis
Those with a history of any of these conditions should be aware of their increased risk. Avoiding excessive noise exposure and treating underlying issues can help lower risk.
Can crackling cause hearing loss?
Crackling noises themselves do not cause hearing loss. However, some of the underlying medical conditions that create crackling sounds can also lead to permanent hearing damage if left untreated.
For example, chronic untreated ear infections, eustachian tube dysfunction, or fluid accumulation in the middle ear may eventually cause conductive hearing loss. This type of hearing loss occurs when sound is not conducted efficiently through the outer, middle or inner ear structures.
The development of hearing loss often depends on the duration and severity of the medical condition. Quickly treating any infections or fluid issues with medication can help prevent long term hearing damage.
How is crackling in the ear treated?
Treating crackling in the ear involves identifying and addressing the underlying cause:
- Earwax blockage – Ear irrigation or wax removal.
- Ear infections – Antibiotic eardrops or oral antibiotics.
- Fluid in the middle ear – Nasal sprays, antihistamines, or myringotomy to drain fluid.
- Eustachian tube dysfunction – Oral decongestants, nasal steroid spray, or Eustachian tube procedures.
- TMJ disorders – Dental devices, physical therapy, TMJ surgery.
- Muscle spasms – Muscle relaxants and hot/cold compresses.
The specific medication or treatment depends on the diagnosed cause. Relief of associated pain and inflammation is also part of the treatment.
Are crackling sounds always bad?
Crackling sounds in the ear are not always a sign of a medical problem. In some cases, they are a normal physical occurrence.
For example, sounds from muscle contractions around the eustachian tube and middle ear can cause harmless crackling. Swallowing or yawning opens the eustachian tubes and may produce a light crackling.
Sudden changes in air pressure during flying or driving in the mountains can also cause temporary crackling as the eardrum and middle ear adjusts. This typically goes away as the pressure stabilizes.
However, new, persistent, or worsening crackling noises should be evaluated by a doctor to identify the cause. Seek prompt attention if additional symptoms like pain, dizziness, or hearing changes accompany the crackling.
Does crackling mean an ear infection?
Crackling in the ear may be a sign of a middle or outer ear infection, but not always. Ear infections are a relatively common source of crackling sounds, but not the only cause.
Other symptoms that support an ear infection diagnosis include:
- Ear pain or a feeling of fullness in the ear
- Muffled hearing
- Drainage of fluid or pus from the ear
- Fever
- Nausea or vomiting
- Swollen lymph nodes around the ear or neck
Crackling along with any of these other infection signs warrants prompt medical attention. However, crackling alone does not definitively indicate an ear infection.
A doctor should examine the ear and conduct a hearing test to diagnose the cause of crackling sounds.
Can dehydration cause crackling in the ear?
Yes, dehydration can sometimes contribute to crackling sounds in the ear. When the body lacks sufficient fluid levels, the eustachian tubes and middle ear may not function properly.
Dehydration leads to thicker mucus secretions. This thick mucus can get trapped in the eustachian tubes, block airflow, and create crackling sounds.
Drinking adequate water, especially during air travel or respiratory infections, can help thin out mucus and open the eustachian tubes. Proper hydration may relieve some cases of crackling.
However, if crackling persists despite good fluid intake, have your ears checked to rule out other causes like earwax blockages, allergies, or ear infections.
Can anxiety cause crackling in ears?
Anxiety itself does not directly cause ear crackling. However, anxiety can lead to behaviors that produce ear symptoms.
For example, anxiety and stress may cause jaw clenching or teeth grinding. This excessive muscle tension around the ear can result in clicking, popping, and crackling sounds.
Anxiety can also exacerbate tinnitus symptoms, causing phantom noises like crackling. Relaxation techniques may help reduce these types of ear issues related to stress and anxiety.
In some cases, the physical sensations of ear crackling produce anxiety in a self-perpetuating cycle. Breaking this cycle with cognitive behavioral therapy and practicing relaxation can relieve the anxiety associated with ear symptoms.
Can a cold cause crackling in the ear?
Yes, colds and upper respiratory infections commonly cause temporary crackling in the ears. During a head cold, inflammation from nasal congestion can spread to the eustachian tubes. This leads to fluid build up and dysfunction of the tubes.
The swelled eustachian tubes fail to regulate air pressure between the nose and middle ear. This uneven pressure results in crackling, popping, or muffled hearing.
Using oral decongestants, nasal sprays, or other cold medications can help reduce sinus inflammation and open the eustachian tubes. The crackling typically resolves once the cold runs its course.
If crackling persists for more than a week after cold symptoms resolve, see a doctor to rule out a lingering ear infection.
Does crackling mean fluid in the ear?
Crackling noises may be a sign of fluid buildup in the middle ear. When fluid accumulates behind the eardrum it can create noises including crackling, popping, or bubbling sounds.
Fluid in the ear usually occurs due to:
- Allergies
- Upper respiratory infections
- Sinusitis
- Eustachian tube dysfunction
- Injury to the eardrum
These conditions cause inflammation that hinders proper fluid drainage from the middle ear. The fluid puts pressure on the eardrum causing it to crackle.
Other symptoms beyond crackling may indicate fluid buildup. These include muffled hearing, a feeling of ear fullness, dizziness, or popping noises.
A doctor can confirm fluid behind the eardrum using a special instrument called a tympanometer. Draining the excess fluid usually resolves the crackling.
Conclusion
Crackling sounds in the ear have a wide variety of potential underlying causes. In many cases, the crackling is harmless and temporary. However, certain accompanying symptoms warrant prompt medical attention to diagnose and treat the root issue.
Seeking treatment is advised if crackling is persistent, occurs with hearing changes or dizziness, or is accompanied by discharge or ear pain. With proper diagnosis and management, ongoing crackling and complications can often be avoided.