Mergath Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 I woke up this morning with a constant crackling sound in my right ear, like somebody just poured milk on a bowl of rice krispies. If I pop my ear with my palm, it will sometimes stop for a few minutes. For the most part it doesn't feel strange at all. I googled it, because I've never heard of this happening, and it said that one possible cause is that there could be an insect trapped in my ear canal! (!!!!!!) I'm sort of freaking out at the moment. Has anyone ever heard of this? And, more importantly, has anyone heard of this and had it turn out to be something NOT a big insect? If I do have to have some giant beetle or something pulled out of my ear, I'll be sure to post pictures. :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mejane Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 It sounds like your eustachian tube is partially blocked. The crackling is probably air trying to move through. At least I hope that's what it is. The alternative is too awful to think about... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sasharowan Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 Mine do this quite often. It usually is the air balance between my ear and the room being off. Occasionally, it is a precursor to an upper respiratory virus. I've never had it form a bug. Ewwwww. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2jjka Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 You could have fluid trapped behind your ear drum and the sounds may be bubbles in the fluid popping. Try a decongestant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mergath Posted February 7, 2011 Author Share Posted February 7, 2011 Okay, I'm going to try a decongestant. Thanks for the advice, everyone. For those of you who have actually had it happen, was it constant, or was it only when you're talking or moving in some way? Mine crackles even when I'm sitting perfectly still, holding my breath... I keep imagining tiny insect legs beating on my ear drum. *shudder* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mergath Posted February 7, 2011 Author Share Posted February 7, 2011 At least I hope that's what it is. The alternative is too awful to think about... Lol... gee, thanks. That helped. :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mejane Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 Lol... gee, thanks. That helped. :tongue_smilie: I meant the giant bug! It would drive me insane to think of a giant bug wandering around in my head. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalphs Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 My ears do something similar when the barometric pressure changes. Have you tried using a neti pot? :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dobela Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 Many years ago a small beetle crawled into my grandmother's ear while she was sleeping. She could feel it moving around so it was more than just a sound. Yes, she was pretty freaked out too. My grandpa was able to remove it using suction - he took the needle out of a hypodermic needle and pulled the plunger up. The beetle was sucked out with the air. Then there was this time on some Real Life Emergency Room show (on Discovery or the like) a few years ago when a woman came to the ER crying and saying it sounded like a helicopter in her ear. She was also in a lot of pain. Again, some kind of beetle had crawled in her ear and couldn't get out. I doubt you have a bug in your ear. I really think it is something else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firefly Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 This thread is making me want to sleep with earplugs:willy_nilly: Mergath, I sincerely hope it's just a little ear congestion! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truscifi Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 I have had this when I had ear congestion. And I would think if it were a bug you would feel something as well as hear it. So another vote for a decongestant. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen in CO Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 My ds awoke one moring last winter to a strange sound in one ear. It was a little spider. Poor baby freaked out. He striped his apartment and cleaned from top to bottom then spend an hour in the shower. He called me to ask what other places he could clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomOfOneFunOne Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 I've never had either happen to me (the bug or the crackling) but when I was a teacher, a kid kept complaining about her ear like that. The nurse sat her on the table, turned off the light for a while, and then shined a flashlight in the girl's ear. The bug, attracted to the light, crawled right out. If you want to try it . . . :blink: I hope it's the other thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiguirre Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 My bil had the bug in the ear problem, but he could feel it moving. It's more likely you have congestion. I hope you feel better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyBlueLobsters Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 I would be making a trip to the Dr. There is no way I'd walk around *thinking* there could be a bug in my ear! :001_huh::willy_nilly::eek::ack2: However, I'm sure you're fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mergath Posted February 7, 2011 Author Share Posted February 7, 2011 I would be making a trip to the Dr. There is no way I'd walk around *thinking* there could be a bug in my ear! :001_huh::willy_nilly::eek::ack2: However, I'm sure you're fine. My dh has the car right now and doesn't get home from work until after two. Otherwise I would have gone straight to the doctor after my first look on google. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer in MI Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 ACK! I should NOT have opened up this thread!!!!! Did the decongestant help? I have a friend who is a doctor and she told me that this does happen occasionally and it's not a big deal to get the bug out. She has a special tool for it and everything! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pdalley Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 It could be built up ear wax. Mine does that sometimes if there is a build up. Or congestion. Do you feel queasy or dizzy? My grandma had a june bug fly into her ear and the pain was horrific so I really don't think it's a bug. Hope the decongestant helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wendylee Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 Anyone else getting the scene from Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan in their heads right now? You know, THAT CERTAIN SCENE that I can't watch with my eyes open? Yeah, probably shouldn't have opened this thread. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mergath Posted February 7, 2011 Author Share Posted February 7, 2011 ACK! I should NOT have opened up this thread!!!!! Did the decongestant help? I have to call my doctor first- I'm on a boatload of fairly strong medications right now for a neck injury, and I don't want to add on another without knowing if it's going to kill me or not first. :tongue_smilie: When dh gets home I'm going to make him look in there and tell me what he sees. If you never hear from me again, just assume he saw some legs sticking out and I ran screaming down the street trying to claw my own ear off. However, since I haven't felt any movement whatsoever, I'm betting on the less yucky theory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myfatherslily Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 **shudder** I choose to believe that insects do not go into ears. Despite possible evidence to the contrary ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mergath Posted February 7, 2011 Author Share Posted February 7, 2011 **shudder** I choose to believe that insects do not go into ears. Despite possible evidence to the contrary ;) I'm sure all the websites that tell you how to remove insects from ears are just theoretical. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 I have to call my doctor first- I'm on a boatload of fairly strong medications right now for a neck injury, and I don't want to add on another without knowing if it's going to kill me or not first. :tongue_smilie: When dh gets home I'm going to make him look in there and tell me what he sees. If you never hear from me again, just assume he saw some legs sticking out and I ran screaming down the street trying to claw my own ear off. However, since I haven't felt any movement whatsoever, I'm betting on the less yucky theory. You need to mention this to your doctor. My dad is having hearing problems and are very similar to what you describe. He's seen an ear doctor to have his hearing checked, etc and they could find nothing. They are thinking now it may be related to the various medications he is on. I don't know what he is on but it for a back injury. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom-ninja. Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 Anyone else getting the scene from Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan in their heads right now? You know, THAT CERTAIN SCENE that I can't watch with my eyes open? Oh great. Now I'll have that in my head as well. Yes, sleeping with earplugs from now on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 Anyone else getting the scene from Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan in their heads right now? You know, THAT CERTAIN SCENE that I can't watch with my eyes open? Yeah, probably shouldn't have opened this thread. :lol: Yes! I let my ds's watch WoK a few months ago, assuring them there were no creepy parts in the movie--then they saw this scene. "Mom, you lied!" As to the bug theory, I did know one person that it happened to. It was during Air Force training when they were sleeping outside. He woke up to that crackling in the ear. The story we got was that the medic checked his ear, then slammed his head down on the table, and the bug crawled right out. :eek: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RecumbentHeart Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 I meant the giant bug! It would drive me insane to think of a giant bug wandering around in my head. :D If I was experiencing that and started thinking it might really be a bug I would need to be knocked out as I am certain hysteria would ensue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 Maybe try some peroxide in the ear. Lay down on a bath towel, bug side up, errrr i mean affected ear side up, and pour in a smidge of peroxide. If you have a dropper for kids meds, that will make it easiest to do to yourself without getting a bath. Lay there for about 5 minutes to give it time to work. The peroxide can help remove any organic material in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kipling Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 The bug thing happened to a friend of mine. I don't recall her mentioning any noises, but she had intense pain. Her father poured some kind of medicine into her ear that dulled the pain, but her ear still felt clogged. They went to the doctor, and he pulled out a huge (dead) cockroach. He explained that it does happen fairly often, the pain was from the roach biting her, and the medicine likely killed the roach, causing the pain to stop.:eek: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mergath Posted February 7, 2011 Author Share Posted February 7, 2011 The peroxide can help remove any organic material in there. Organic material... that's a nice way to put it. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simka2 Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 Maybe try some peroxide in the ear. Lay down on a bath towel, bug side up, errrr i mean affected ear side up, and pour in a smidge of peroxide. If you have a dropper for kids meds, that will make it easiest to do to yourself without getting a bath. Lay there for about 5 minutes to give it time to work. The peroxide can help remove any organic material in there. :iagree:I had to do this with dh a few months ago, and it ended up being a wax plug. I have that creepy feeling right now :tongue_smilie:. Please let us know how this turns out!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K&Rs Mom Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 I really regret opening this thread. :tongue_smilie: Another possibility: I have had some middle-ear infections that caused blistering on the eardrum, and there was a crackling sound and clear discharge as the blisters popped. It was like what you described, rice krispies, but intermittent - it would crackle a few minutes, then stop for a half hour, then crackle some more.... I didn't know that was even possible until the doctor looked into my ear and explained it to me, but since the first one it's happened twice (I've always been prone to ear problems). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RecumbentHeart Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 The bug thing happened to a friend of mine. I don't recall her mentioning any noises, but she had intense pain. Her father poured some kind of medicine into her ear that dulled the pain, but her ear still felt clogged. They went to the doctor, and he pulled out a huge (dead) cockroach. He explained that it does happen fairly often, the pain was from the roach biting her, and the medicine likely killed the roach, causing the pain to stop.:eek: I may never sleep again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mergath Posted February 7, 2011 Author Share Posted February 7, 2011 All right, if I have to sit here waiting any longer, hysteria will ensue. After much scouring of the internets, I've decided to try the olive oil method, just in case there is any... organic material stuck in my ear. I would try peroxide, but I just looked and we're all out. I'm definitely leaning towards congestion at this point, but if I don't try something I'm going to go nuts. I'll report back in a few minutes and let you know the results. Wish me luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irishmommy Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 Great, now I'm stuck here waiting for the results! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mergath Posted February 7, 2011 Author Share Posted February 7, 2011 Okay, here's my report. :D I went in the bathroom and filled my ear with olive oil. Which is a really strange feeling, I have to tell you, and made me dizzier than I've ever been in my life. I let it sit for two minutes, then let it drain out- and I swear, there was a lot less that came out than I thought I'd put in- and then irrigated repeatedly with water. When I was done, there was a teeny, tiny little red thing in the bowl, either a piece of thread or some kind of little worm or larva- not sure which, and I really don't want to know. :tongue_smilie: But for the moment, the crackling has stopped. If it returns I'm going straight to the doctor, but for now, I'm tentatively claiming victory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 Okay, here's my report. :D I went in the bathroom and filled my ear with olive oil. Which is a really strange feeling, I have to tell you, and made me dizzier than I've ever been in my life. I let it sit for two minutes, then let it drain out- and I swear, there was a lot less that came out than I thought I'd put in- and then irrigated repeatedly with water. When I was done, there was a teeny, tiny little red thing in the bowl, either a piece of thread or some kind of little worm or larva- not sure which, and I really don't want to know. :tongue_smilie: But for the moment, the crackling has stopped. If it returns I'm going straight to the doctor, but for now, I'm tentatively claiming victory. Did you say worm or larva? AGHGHGHGHGH :eek: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astrid Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 If I was experiencing that and started thinking it might really be a bug I would need to be knocked out as I am certain hysteria would ensue. Oh, me too!! I'd be short-listed for the giggle coop if I had reason to believe there was a bug caught in my ear. astrid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audrey Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 Reading this thread is going to give me nightmares for sure. :eek: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TKDmom Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 Okay, here's my report. :D I went in the bathroom and filled my ear with olive oil. Which is a really strange feeling, I have to tell you, and made me dizzier than I've ever been in my life. I let it sit for two minutes, then let it drain out- and I swear, there was a lot less that came out than I thought I'd put in- and then irrigated repeatedly with water. When I was done, there was a teeny, tiny little red thing in the bowl, either a piece of thread or some kind of little worm or larva- not sure which, and I really don't want to know. :tongue_smilie: But for the moment, the crackling has stopped. If it returns I'm going straight to the doctor, but for now, I'm tentatively claiming victory. :hurray: I, for one, am going to believe that it was a bit of thread waving around inside your ear... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mergath Posted February 7, 2011 Author Share Posted February 7, 2011 :hurray: I, for one, am going to believe that it was a bit of thread waving around inside your ear... Me, too. For the sake of my sanity. Thanks for all the help, everyone! And, you know, sorry for whatever nightmares you all have tonight. :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 Okay, here's my report. :D I went in the bathroom and filled my ear with olive oil. Which is a really strange feeling, I have to tell you, and made me dizzier than I've ever been in my life. I let it sit for two minutes, then let it drain out- and I swear, there was a lot less that came out than I thought I'd put in- and then irrigated repeatedly with water. When I was done, there was a teeny, tiny little red thing in the bowl, either a piece of thread or some kind of little worm or larva- not sure which, and I really don't want to know. :tongue_smilie: But for the moment, the crackling has stopped. If it returns I'm going straight to the doctor, but for now, I'm tentatively claiming victory. I am soooooo glad you got at least one leg out. Now, do you have a plan for the rest of it? LOLOLOLOLOL Okay don't kill me.....:smash: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 I am soooooo glad you got at least one leg out. Now, do you have a plan for the rest of it? LOLOLOLOLOL Okay don't kill me.....:smash: Shhh. Don't tell Mergath but I had the exact same thought. . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyfaithe Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 I woke up this morning with a constant crackling sound in my right ear, like somebody just poured milk on a bowl of rice krispies. If I pop my ear with my palm, it will sometimes stop for a few minutes. For the most part it doesn't feel strange at all. I googled it, because I've never heard of this happening, and it said that one possible cause is that there could be an insect trapped in my ear canal! (!!!!!!) I'm sort of freaking out at the moment. Has anyone ever heard of this? And, more importantly, has anyone heard of this and had it turn out to be something NOT a big insect? If I do have to have some giant beetle or something pulled out of my ear, I'll be sure to post pictures. :tongue_smilie: Don't want to freak you out...but that actually happened to my husband. I didn't believe it! I said it couldn't happen. I was wrong. He got a Japanese Beetle in there. It walked in while he was asleep. The doctor irrigated his ear and it came out...no infection or anything....just totally gross and it freaked me out! Faithe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenL Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 This thread is giving me the heebie-jeebies! Not sure why I opened it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 Shhh. Don't tell Mergath but I had the exact same thought. . . I wonder if her thread looked like any of these..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyfaithe Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 I wonder if her thread looked like any of these..... excuse me while I run screaming from my monitor.....:auto: Faithe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dobela Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 Are you sure it was a thread or something? I would think blood from a dried ear canal or something more positive... Of course I am one who shared bug stories... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Girls' Mom Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 The bug thing happened to a friend of mine. I don't recall her mentioning any noises, but she had intense pain. Her father poured some kind of medicine into her ear that dulled the pain, but her ear still felt clogged. They went to the doctor, and he pulled out a huge (dead) cockroach. He explained that it does happen fairly often, the pain was from the roach biting her, and the medicine likely killed the roach, causing the pain to stop.:eek: :001_huh::willy_nilly::willy_nilly::willy_nilly: :blink: :svengo:I just died. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebug42 Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 I am sleeping with ear plugs tonight.:ack2: I hope your problem is resolved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 If it IS a bug, then this thread ranks right up there with the bedbug threads! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.