Crackling Sound in the Ear: Causes And Remedies

Is there a crackling sound in your ear when swallowing food or when yawning? It puts you in jitters that something is not right. Crackling sound in either or both ears is a common problem which is most encountered wherever the ear pressure is not balanced with atmospheric pressure.

This is associated with the most common Eustachian tube dysfunction. So let's see how this Eustachian tube malfunctioning leads to those cracking sounds in your ears!

Ear is one of the most important organs of our body. Apart from the hearing ability that it provides, it is also responsible for balancing the ear pressure. A clicking in the ear is a symptom confirming an alteration in the pressure levels. So first let's get through the causes leading to these popping sounds in ears.

Eustachian tube is an integral part of our hearing system that connects the ear to throat. It equalizes the ear pressure with the atmospheric pressure thereby maintaining balance. But whenever there is a difference in ear pressure, the tube opens up to release the inbuilt pressure.

This is bound to happen when traveling by plane or climbing high altitudes or during scuba diving or when the ear is exposed to extremely high decibel levels.

The sign indicating pressure anomaly is the irritating crackling sound. However this raises alarm if it happens even under normal circumstances and that too at intermittent durations. Precisely, the eustachian tube malfunctions by staying closed when it should be open to equalize the ear pressure.

This can happen when the tube is clogged with mucus. Hence this leads to a high pressure within the ear that is released with a snap while you eat or swallow or yawn.

At times it results in a temporary hearing loss due to the stiffness in the tympanic membrane caused by the high ear pressure. This leads to eardrum perceiving muffled sounds due to continuous movement of the mucus in the middle ear.

Even excess accumulation of wax inside the ear is one of the causes of ear pressure that can lead to crackling sounds, when chewing or yawning. Ignoring such symptoms may cause chronic ear infections or diminished hearing.

Here are some best clogged ear remedies that can efficiently deal with crackling sounds in ear:

Ears like eyes have to be cleaned regularly. You can use cotton buds and ear wash to remove the extra wax that gets hoarded inside the ear. Ignoring accumulation of impacted earwax can lead to Eustachian tube dysfunction which at times results in ear pain.

Hence earwax removal must become a regular habit to keep a "sound ear". Ignoring the earwax accumulation can cause blockage which may result in temporary deafness.

Crackling sound in ears when yawning can really get on your nerves. This is bound to happen when there is a swelling near your ear canal. Don't panic! Open your jaws wide and stretch it to make the ear release the inbuilt pressure. This is one of the best methods of ear pressure relief.

This is an old custom of the East which was practiced in earlier days to enhance the immune system and sustain a healthy balance of body. This is believed to be a natural way of resolving crackling sounds in either ear.

Cup your ears with your hands making sure that the fingertips are placed on the base of your skull. Make sure you have sealed your ears completely. You can feel the ear pressure building up on your eardrums inside. Now release the pressure rapidly by leaving your hands free.

In case there are any blockages or an inbuilt ear pressure due to mucus, it will be released instantly. This helps in maintaining a sound ear.

Crackling sound in ears is a very common thing seen in scuba divers. They follow the valsalva maneuver method to release the air pressure.

In this procedure, they first squeeze the nostrils to prevent any air entering through and then take a deep breath and release it in a gentle manner through the closed nostrils. The force caused within releases the pressure. But a very important note to add, this method is only for people for whom water sports is a daily business.

Therapeutic oils like mullein flower oil is often used for curing ear and respiratory problems. Take some mullein oil and mix a little of bit olive oil as well and apply directly on the ear. Plug the ear with cotton. You will feel the difference in some while. Mullein oil is also used in clearing congestion in throat and chest caused by mucus.

The extracts of mullein flower are used to prepare tea that is a soothing relief for all kinds of respiratory afflictions. Even iris flower extracts complement as good remedies for cold and coughs that lead to blockages in ear.

It is also believed hearing disorders are associated with deficiency in minerals like manganese. So healthy food leads to a healthy ear and a healthy ear leads to peaceful eating and sleeping.

Apart from the remedies stated earlier, very simple tips such as inhaling steam, blowing nostrils during common cold to release the blockages and gargling warm water twice a day can be followed to keep your ear healthy. In case of severe ear blockages, medics suggest decongestants like pseudoephedrine.

But then nature's way is the best way! So try out the listed tips to relieve yourself of the annoying sound in the ear. After all the eye, nose and the ear are organs connected to each other! Even if one is affected, the other two may suffer. So happy hearing!