Ears Popping And Crackling – Tips To Reduce Ear Pain And Irritation

By Patricia | July 3, 2009

Ears Popping And Crackling In Ear

Experiencing some amount of ears popping and crackling in your ears is not an uncommon occurrence in our lives. However, given the fact that our hearing plays a huge role in our daily lives means that any complications to one’s auditory canal is likely to have an impact. Moreover, experiencing crackling in the ear can be as irritating as it is disturbing. While most cases will see the condition as being nothing more than an acute or one off occurrence, some people do tend to suffer from chronic versions of the condition – thereby having a substantial effect on the individual’s ability to hear as well as leading to a considerable amount of irritation for the individual. Crackling in the ears or ear popping causes need to be understood however. There are a number of factors that can lead to the development of ear pain and crackling, some of which include – a sudden and sharp noise causing considerable damage to the ear drum, a the buildup of ear wax within the aural canal, a blockage as a result of change in atmospheric pressure as well as other medical problems that are more likely to relate directly to the eustacian tube or the muscles that lie behind it. Often, the problem could also be the result of some kind of medical ailment that has been triggered by some kind of viral or even bacterial infection. In the instances in which the condition has been triggered by any of these infections, you are more likely to experience a number of other symptoms including post nasal drip and conditions like tonsillitis. Very few of these scenarios, however, will also promote instances of dizziness. A combination for ears popping and dizziness is more likely to be the result of allergies towards something that you have recently consumed. In most cases, these combinations of allergies are more likely to be the result of a reaction to some kind of chemicals. Crackling ears or popping ears and dizziness or headaches often occur simultaneously and may often stem from throat infections or nasal infections. There is in fact strong association of the ears popping with sinus infections and common colds. Ear popping or crackling sounds are not problematic when they are the rare occurrence such as ears popping when swallowing or working out or chewing, because of changes in pressure.

Hydrogen Peroxide For Ear Infections

The most important part of treatment always revolves around the aspect of properly diagnosing the root cause of the condition. If you find that the crackling ears and dizziness are the result of the buildup of wax within the ear canal, it might help to understand the role that the wax plays in the maintenance of the ear. While the production of ear wax is completely normal, some people tend to produce larger quantities of the substance than others. The ear wax is produced primarily by the sweat glands situated within the outer ear canal and helps protects the ear drum. Under normal circumstances, the ear wax will usually clean itself up and slowly drain out of the ear during instances such as when you are having a shower. The common human tendency of pushing a finger into the ear to remove the wax actually causes more destruction than it helps as it tends to push the ear wax deeper into the ear canal. The deeper the wax is pushed into the ear canal – the more likely it is likely to be the root cause of the ear pain and dizziness that you experience. In the event that the ear wax has been pushed really deep into the auditory canal, a specialized microscope may be required in order to get the ear wax out. Other methods of ear wax removal include the use of pressurized water, a sterilized wire loop and hydrogen peroxide for ear infections. There are a few instances in which you should really make it a point to visit your local doctor to get professional treatment in order to prevent the condition from getting any worse. Some of the instances when this might be an important step include occasions when home treatment of ear wax removal proves unsuccessful; the development of drainage from the ear; a perforated ear drum as well as severe pain and fever that may possibly progress to significant hearing loss. The development of severe dizziness will call for almost immediate medical attention while some people may even start to experience bouts of vomiting and the development of a high fever. Despite the fact that there are a number of different self-care and home remedies when it comes to dealing with crackling ears and dizziness, it is as important to make sure that one does not attempt some of the more dangerous ones such as ear candling. Ear candling is a self care procedure that makes use of ‘ear candles’ that are primarily hollow cones made of paraffin and beeswax with cloth tapered at the end. It is this tapered end that is placed into the ear and another individual will then light the other end of the candle. The procedure relies on the theory that, a vacuum is created while the flame burns – thereby drawing the ear wax out of the ear. However, a number of clinical tests have shown that no vacuum is created and no wax was actually removed. Furthermore, in the event that the individual does not practice this treatment carefully, there is always the chance that it could result in some very serious injury. The use of hydrogen peroxide when dealing with ear crackling and dizziness is a much safer option as the chemical is known to liquidate the more solid forms of the wax. Use the cap of the bottle that the chemical is stored in to pour some amount of the liquid into your ear canal and you will start to hear a number of popping sounds in the ears -this is the hydrogen peroxide melting the wax. Wait for a couple of minutes in order to allow the melting to die down and then turn your ear into a piece of cotton which will collect all of the melted wax that pours out of the ear. Chewing on mints and yawning in order to open up the eustachain tube is known to help considerably in the event that the problem is the result of a difference in air pressure. It is important to remember not to avoid giving your ears the attention that they need as the complications can have a very significant impact on the way you lead your life.

Ears popping can be very annoying and sometimes extremely painful. The popping can be due to a buildup of fluid in the ear. As the fluid changes in pressure or moves location, it can cause popping. Once you relieve the fluid buildup the ears should be fine.

There are a few things that you can try to alleviate the fluid buildup:

  • Stick your pointer fingers a little ways in the ear canal; tops pointing up. Keep fingers straight and push the outer opening of the ear canal up and back (towards the back of the head). Keeping the muscles pulled back; yawn. The fluid may drain out.
  • Rinsing your Eustachian tube with a few drops of nasal spray is also a good remedy. This can be done by putting a few drops of the spray in a special yoga ‘Jal Neti’ pot. This should reduce swelling and relieve the clog.
  • Pour a capful of hydrogen peroxide into the ear. Leave in the ear until the bubbling stops. The ear canal may feel warm. Allow to drain (preferably into tissue paper).
  • If you have allergies, the fluid buildup could be caused from your sinuses. You can try an allergy medicine or chamomile tea.
  • You can try ear candling.
  • You can take two drops of pure grain alcohol and put them in your ears. Do this once in the morning and once at night. This allows for the moisture to dry up in the ear.
  • Use steam to help release pressure. Boil a pot of water carefully, so as not to burn yourself, drape a towel over your head and the pot of steaming water. Stay this way for about 10- 15 minutes.
  • Chew gum.
  • Plug your nose and blow while still holding your nose closed.
  • Drink lots of herbal tea. Sometimes the heat and the herbs can penetrate into the ear canal and open it up. Again, chamomile can be a good choice.
  • Chew on mints.
  • Sometimes a little warm olive oil or baby oil can help soothe the ear canal.

Eating and yawning are two great activities that can relieve the pressure on the ear canal. Both things can cause you to move your jaw muscles to the point of releasing the pressure on the ear. This allows the fluid buildup to be released. If none of these remedies work for you, you may need to go to the doctor. You may need to have antibiotics for a ear infection.