Dynamic sounds that appear as a crackling, popping, rattling, or noise in the ear

Dynamic sounds that appear as a crackling, popping, rattling, or noise in the ear

Crackling sounds may come from various parts of the body, including the Eustachian tube, which is not unusual for patients when swallowing. While there are many potential causes for these sounds felt in the ear, many people can experience this condition briefly in normal physiological (non-pathological) situations. Due to individuals' sensitivities, they may worry about the situation. Without any pathological condition, the person's selective perception can cause heightened sensitivity. Is this abnormal or normal? It's important to distinguish between the two. Temporary or non-recurring situations are not significant. In normal circumstances, you might hear crackling or popping sounds when ascending to high altitudes, diving underwater, during flights, long car trips, eating, or yawning, due to changes in ear pressure. The Eustachian tube, a small tube inside your ear, is responsible for these sounds when it equalizes ear pressure.

These sounds can be very disturbing for some patients. They may occur temporarily due to allergies, a simple upper respiratory infection, nasal congestion, etc. This condition is typically a temporary Eustachian tube problem. However, if it persists, it may require attention. Other times, rhythmic clicking sounds may arise from the contraction of the muscles around the Eustachian tube, such as those involved in palatal myoclonus or tremors.

Other, rarer causes of sounds in the ear include foreign objects like hairs on the eardrum or insects moving in the ear canal, evaluated through otoscopy. These situations may sometimes be seen in people who have tinnitus. Due to increased sensitivity from tinnitus, individuals tend to focus more on these occurrences, sometimes misinterpreting normal physiological events as pathological. Therefore, don't worry, unless the situation persists, which might indicate an issue.

Pathologically, crackling, popping, or clicking sounds in the ear can have multiple causes, often related to different structures or diseases.

Pathological dysfunction of middle ear muscles:
Normally, light buzzing or crackling sounds may be heard when chewing, moving the jaw, or yawning. The physiological contractions of the middle ear muscles and the mobility of the eardrum during the air equalization process in the Eustachian tube create this situation. This is completely normal.
As sound waves pass through the three bones of the middle ear, the stapes bone hits the oval window, which separates the middle and inner ear. When the stapes bone moves the oval window, fluid in the inner ear starts moving, triggering the sound processing process. The stapes bone can be stabilized, reducing sound vibrations that travel to the inner ear. The stapedius muscle acts as a control mechanism. Without it, loud sounds could easily damage the inner ear. This reflex, part of the involuntary acoustic middle ear reflex, helps protect your hearing. When the stapes muscle contracts, it reduces the mobility of the ossicles and protects the inner ear from sounds up to 90 decibels. This reflex is essential for hearing protection, as the sound transmitted to the eardrum is amplified 14 times before reaching the inner ear. This function happens thousands of times a day and can sometimes be perceived by the individual. The stapedius reflex is faster (around 20ms) than the tensor tympani muscle, which is about ten times slower. If spasms or clicks are perceived continuously, it may indicate a pathological situation.

Myoclonus is an involuntary muscle contraction, such as spasms or twitching, that causes vibrations and sounds when the stapedius muscle, attached to the stapes, spasms.
• A clicking or popping sound in one ear
• Louder in noisy environments and softer in quiet places
• Can occur with loud sounds, stress, or facial nerve paralysis and spasms
• Irregular and short pauses, and may restart
• Sometimes audible to others
The tonic twitching or rhythmic contractions of the middle ear muscles can be felt as rhythmic crackling in the ear. This situation can be temporary or vary in duration. Loud external sounds (especially those above 70 decibels) or abnormal pressure changes in the middle ear can trigger this condition. Sometimes, it can occur without any external stimulus. This is typically a result of muscle spasms followed by muscle relaxation. This condition is known as middle ear myoclonus.
Apart from the stapedius muscle, the tensor tympani muscle (TT) can also cause issues when spasming. The TT muscle, innervated by the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve, connects to the sphenoid bone and the Eustachian tube. During spasms, it functions to open the Eustachian tube and pull the malleus medially, which stiffens the eardrum and reduces sound transmission through the ossicular chain. It is believed that the TT muscle helps reduce the intensity of sounds during chewing or swallowing due to its similar innervation to the chewing and soft palate muscles.

Tensor tympani myoclonus (tensor tympani syndrome) is a rare condition caused by spasms of the tensor tympani muscle, leading to objective pulsatile tinnitus. The condition results from abnormal functioning of the tensor tympani and stapedius muscles. If only the tensor tympani spasms, it is referred to as tonic tensor tympani syndrome.
These pathological, persistent situations are known as objective tinnitus. If sensitivity to certain sound frequencies and decibels has developed in a psychosomatic context, it can lead to hyperacusis (excessive sensitivity to sound).
Treatment typically begins with medication, but if ineffective, surgery may be considered. The results vary depending on the procedure.

Vascular causes:
If you hear a thumping or pulsing in your ears and occasionally hear your heartbeat in your ears, you're likely correct. Your ears are close to large blood vessels and arteries, so if you've been exercising intensely, have high blood pressure, or are very tense, you may hear your own pulse.
Most types of tinnitus are not audible to others, but pulsatile tinnitus is different. If your heart rate is fast, hearing your heartbeat isn't abnormal, but if you hear this pumping sound at other times, it is not normal.
If you hear this pulse sound daily, you should visit a healthcare provider. Pulsatile tinnitus is a symptom rather than a disease itself and can indicate an underlying health issue, such as high blood pressure. As pulsatile tinnitus can be a sign of heart issues, it is important to provide information about your cardiovascular health. However, if you’ve recently had intense exercise or stress, the pulse sound will eventually return to normal.

Ear infections:
Ear infections can cause popping, crackling, or fluctuating sounds in your ears. These may be due to pressure, edema, and tension caused by infections in the outer or middle ear. This is an automatic process, but if an infection, such as an allergy or cold, causes inflammation, your Eustachian tubes may become blocked due to excessive mucus. This can lead to a temporary hearing issue.
Earwax:
The ear canal naturally produces a waxy secretion to protect the ear from bacteria and foreign particles. The ear cleans itself by moving earwax out through chewing and jaw movements. However, when earwax accumulates and presses against the eardrum, it can cause crackling sounds. This condition may also lead to tinnitus.

Eustachian tube dysfunction:
The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the back of the nose (nasopharynx). If the tubes are blocked or fail to open and close properly, this can lead to Eustachian tube dysfunction. Muscular spasms around the roof of the mouth can cause repeated clicking sounds when swallowing.
Eustachian tube dysfunction is common and occurs in about 4% of adults worldwide, especially in children or those with underlying craniofacial conditions.

Ménière's disease
This condition affects the inner ear and can cause dizziness, nausea, and sometimes tinnitus. It can affect one or both ears, more commonly in people between 20-50 years of age. Sounds like popping or crackling, similar to rice popping or corn kernels, can occur, along with fluctuating fullness, pressure, or buzzing.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders
TMJ disorders can cause jaw pain and dysfunction, sometimes accompanied by jaw muscle problems. In some cases, jaw muscle issues can lead to TMJ disorders, such as teeth grinding during sleep (bruxism).
TMJ disorders can cause clicking or popping sounds in the ear along with symptoms like headaches, jaw pain, or difficulty moving the jaw.

Chiropractic adjustments:
In some cases, after chiropractic treatments, crackling sounds can occur. Aggressive manipulations of the cervical spine can disturb the joint surfaces and lead to serious problems. These treatments may not always respond to conventional therapies.

Note: The content of this page is for informational purposes only. For diagnosis and treatment, please consult your doctor.