Why Is There a Crackling Sound in My Ear?

What Is Crackling in the Ear?

Crackling in the ear feels like tiny noises inside your ear canal. It might sound like popping bubble wrap, crinkling paper, or that Rice Krispies "snap, crackle, pop" sound.

This sound can happen:

• When swallowing, yawning, or chewing
• When lying down or changing position
• Randomly throughout the day

The noise is usually soft but can be persistent. For many people, it’s simply the ear adjusting pressure or reacting to minor blockages.

Common Causes of Ear Crackling

Let’s look at the most frequent reasons your ear might crackle. Each cause has its own pattern and symptoms.

Eustachian Tube Dysfunction

The eustachian tube helps balance pressure between the middle ear and the nose.  When it’s blocked by allergies, a cold, or sinus pressure, you might feel fullness in your ears and hear crackling. The sound usually goes away as the pressure evens out.

Earwax Buildup

Too much wax in the ear can trap sound or air, creating a crackling noise, especially when you talk, chew, or move your jaw.

Using cotton swabs can push wax deeper, making things worse. If you get crackling in your ear but no pain, and it gets louder over time or is paired with muffled hearing, wax may be the issue.

Middle Ear Infections (Otitis Media)

Infections can trap fluid behind the eardrum. As the fluid moves or builds pressure, it may cause a crackling sound.

Watch for other symptoms like:

• Ear pain or pressure
• Fever
• Temporary hearing loss
• Fluid coming from the ear

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders

Your jaw joint (TMJ) sits right next to your ear. If it becomes tight, inflamed, or misaligned, it can make clicking or crackling sounds that feel like they’re coming from the ear.

Clenching your jaw, grinding teeth, or chewing gum often makes it worse.

Ear Barotrauma (Pressure Changes)

Flying, scuba diving, or hiking at high altitudes can cause fast changes in ear pressure. These shifts may also lead to dizziness after flying, especially if your inner ear doesn’t adjust properly.

This kind of crackling is often harmless and improves once you're back at normal elevation.

Tinnitus or Other Hearing Issues

Tinnitus usually causes ringing, but some people hear crackling instead. This can happen with age-related hearing loss or after loud noise exposure.

If the sound continues even in silence or gets worse with stress, tinnitus could be the reason.

When Is Crackling in the Ear a Sign of a Medical Condition?

In rare cases, crackling might be linked to something more serious. These conditions are not common, but it’s good to be aware:

• Cholesteatoma: An abnormal skin growth behind the eardrum
• Meniere’s disease: A condition causing vertigo, hearing loss, and crackling or ringing
• Patulous Eustachian Tube: When the eustachian tube stays open too much, causing strange ear sounds

If your symptoms persist or come with balance issues or hearing changes, seek a medical evaluation.

Related Symptoms to Watch For

Keep an eye out for these symptoms, especially if they appear with the crackling:

• Pain or pressure in the ear
• Feeling of fullness
• Muffled or distorted hearing
• Dizziness or balance problems
• Fever or signs of infection
• Fluid or discharge from the ear

Noticing more than one of these together may help your doctor find the exact cause.

How to Get Rid of the Crackling Sound in Ear?

Depending on the cause, treatment can range from simple home steps to medical care.

At-Home Remedies

• Swallow or yawn to open your eustachian tubes
• Use saline nasal sprays to reduce congestion
• Try steam inhalation to loosen mucus
• Avoid loud noise if you think it’s tinnitus
• Apply warm compresses near the ear for relief
• Use OTC earwax drops (if no pain or infection is present)

Always avoid sticking anything inside your ear.

Medical Treatments

• Earwax removal by a professional if it’s impacted
• Antibiotics if an ear infection is diagnosed
• Allergy management (antihistamines or sprays) for congestion-related issues
• TMJ support like dental splints or muscle relaxants
• Ear tubes or balloon dilation for chronic Eustachian problems

Lifestyle Changes

• Keep allergies under control
• Avoid chewing gum or clenching teeth if you have TMJ
• Don’t fly or dive when you’re congested
• Take breaks from earbuds or headphones

These small changes can prevent flare-ups or reduce symptoms over time.

When to See a Doctor

You should see a healthcare provider if:

• The crackling lasts more than a week
• You have pain, fever, or discharge
• You feel dizzy or off-balance
• Your hearing changes suddenly or progressively
• Over-the-counter methods don’t bring relief