Well, That’s an Odd Sound I’m Hearing

With May being Better Speech and Hearing month, it is a great opportunity to take note of your hearing health and any unusual sounds you may experience.

There are a wide variety of noises from within the ear that can suddenly “appear” and cause concern — even bafflement. If they persist for an extended period of time — especially ringing, which might be tinnitus — then seek professional attention. But some noises are basically the auditory equivalent of sneezing or coughing.

If a crackling sound develops in one of your ears, then it might have to do with your Eustachian tube. This is a passage between the back of your nose and the inner ear that is crucial in maintaining equalized pressure in your ears. It actually opens whenever you blow your nose, yawn, or swallow — so it stays pretty busy. Without this, your eardrum might wear out due to dealing with pressure changes constantly.

But if it gets clogged up, usually due to an allergy or cold, then it gets kind of sticky and doesn’t work quite as efficiently. That’s what makes that sound — which can be rather annoying. The condition will usually dissipate on its own but nasal sprays can also be an effective treatment if it’s really annoying you.

Another rather impressive piece of the anatomy is the tiny tensor tympani muscle. It reacts to sudden loud noises and actually tamps down their impact on the rest of the ear. It also squelches the volume on your chewing and the sound of your own voice. But sometimes the muscle can spasm and cause a low rumble. There are even some people who can control this intentionally.

Finally, wax buildup in the ears can cause a number of sounds, including ringing and buzzing. Sometimes there’s so much in there that it comes into contact with the eardrum (throwing off its calibration). But if you think you have earwax causing a problem that deep in your ear, don’t try to dig it out. Have a medical professional handle it in order to avoid damaging your eardrum.

Any changes in your hearing should be evaluated by a hearing professional. Contact us today for a comprehensive hearing evaluation.