Do You Have a Crackling Sound in Your Ear? 5 Possible Causes

You’re relaxing at home, listening to your favorite podcast, when an unusual sound grabs your attention:

Snap! Pop! Crackle!

You’re startled to realize the sounds are coming from your ear. 

While a crackling sound in your ear isn’t necessarily a common situation, we have had patients report it before. If you’re experiencing this symptom, we’ll outline possible causes and what you can do about it. 

At Raleigh Capitol ENT, we remain on the leading edge of medicine, seamlessly combining state-of-the-art procedures with compassionate care. This philosophy has made us the leading ENT doctors in Raleigh and the surrounding areas. If you’re having difficulty with seasonal allergies, hearing issues, or chronic earaches, we’re here to help. Just contact us for an appointment.

What Causes the Crackling Sound in My Ear?

There are several reasons you could be experiencing a crackling sound in your ear. Simply answer the following questions and let us know the results. We’ll work with you to design a treatment plan tailored to your specific situation. 

Do You Have Earwax Buildup? 

In general, your protective earwax washes away or falls out. However, if this earwax doesn’t clear or your ears are making too much, it creates a buildup. You may have an issue with earwax if:

• You have consistent earaches
• You have a full feeling in your ears
• You experience ringing in your ears (that’s called tinnitus)
• You have difficulty understanding people or hearing loss
• You notice a smelly discharge from your ear

If this is the source of the crackling in your ear, then removing the earwax is an effective solution. 

IMPORTANT! Do not use Q-tips or similar swabs to clean out your ears. While this is tempting because of its convenience, in many cases it makes the matter worse by pushing the wax further back into the ear. Instead, contact us and we can remove it safely. 

Do you have a cold? Are you bothered by seasonal allergies?

Sometimes, a cold or sinus infection can cause a crackling sound in your ears. If your sinuses are blocked this can cause swelling that eventually places pressure on your Eustachian tubes, which in turn affects the amount of air pressure in your ears.

Typically, once you recover from your illness, the crackling noise should stop.

Do You Have an Active Ear Infection?

Not only do ear infections make you miserable, but they can be a source of that pesky crackling noise in your ear. When your middle ear fills with fluid, it can create snapping sounds. 

If you’ve had chronic ear infections, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with us so we can help you find a solution for long-term relief. 

You might find this illustration of the inner ear useful.

Have You Had Trauma to Your Head Or Ear?

It’s possible that a ruptured eardrum could cause the noise. This painful condition can damage your hearing if it is not resolved. It can be caused by ear infections, head injuries, and even extremely loud noises. 

Not sure if you’ve ruptured your eardrum. Schedule an appointment with us as soon as possible. You’ll also find useful advice in our previous article, “What Causes Your Eardrum to Rupture?”

You Could Have TMJ

TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint disorder, and it occurs when you have pain and inflammation in your jaw’s joint. This condition makes your jaw joint pop. While it technically doesn’t cause the crackling sound in your ear, the noise often sounds like it’s coming from your ear. 

When Should I See An ENT In Raleigh for These Crackling Sounds?

In general, the crackling should subside when the underlying issue is resolved. 

However, we encourage anyone who is experiencing this condition to schedule an appointment. There are too many variables as to what could be causing the condition. It could range from something mild like a cold to something more serious like a ruptured eardrum (which, if left untreated, can permanently damage your hearing.)

However, some signs indicate you need immediate attention. If you have ear pain—especially when accompanied by foul-smelling drainage – it’s time to see one of our professionals. 

Let Us Be a Partner in Your Care for Healthy Ears

Our board-certified ENT doctors in Raleigh are leaders in their field, completing challenging fellowships at leading national universities and staying in step with the latest research and developments. 

But we realize that’s only part of the equation. Compassionate care that is both thorough and streamlined combines with convenience to ensure that our help is ready when you need it most. 

So, if you’ve had crackling sounds in your ear, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with us and discover why we’re the leading ENT provider for the Triangle area. 

The information in this article and the other articles on this website is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. If you have questions or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider.