Ear clicking, crackling or popping: what does it mean?

Hearing a clicking in the ear can be surprising, distracting, or even unsettling—especially when it happens regularly or appears out of nowhere. For some people, it presents as a single sharp click during swallowing or yawning. For others, it may feel like a rhythmic tapping, a faint crackle, or a tiny bubble bursting inside the ear. Whatever the pattern, an ear clicking sound is usually a sign that something inside the ear or surrounding structures is shifting, responding to pressure, or reacting to mild irritation.

Most cases of ear clicking have benign explanations, such as Eustachian tube dysfunction, minor wax movement, or jaw-related tension. These sounds often come and go without causing pain or long-term issues. Still, because the ear is a delicate and complex system, persistent clicking—especially when accompanied by other symptoms like fullness, pressure, or hearing changes—can raise understandable concern. This article explores what creates that characteristic ear clicking sound, the most common (and some less common) causes, and how to know when it’s time to seek medical advice. Whether you’ve been experiencing occasional clicks or ongoing ear noises, understanding the possible explanations is the first step toward finding relief.

Most clicking is mild and temporary. However, seek medical advice if the clicking becomes persistent, painful, affects hearing, or is accompanied by dizziness or fluid leakage. A hearing care professional can assess whether an underlying middle-ear issue needs treatment.

If you experience pressure-related clicking, swallowing, yawning, or chewing gum may help open the Eustachian tubes. When congestion is suspected, over-the-counter allergy medicine or decongestants may provide relief. However, if the clicking is constant, painful, affects your hearing, or simply won’t go away, it’s important to see a doctor or audiologist. They can identify the underlying cause, perform treatments such as earwax removal, or recommend jaw therapy or further evaluation depending on the diagnosis.

• Try pressure-equalising movements - Swallowing, yawning, chewing gum or performing a gentle Valsalva manoeuvre (pinching your nose, closing your mouth and lightly blowing to “pop” your ears) can help the Eustachian tube open and restore normal pressure.
• Manage congestion - If the clicking is caused by a cold, allergies or sinus congestion, using saline nasal sprays, steam inhalation or antihistamines (when medically appropriate) can reduce swelling around the Eustachian tube and ease symptoms.
• Treat earwax buildup - Excess earwax can cause clicking or crackling. NHS guidance recommends using medical-grade ear drops to soften wax. Avoid inserting cotton buds, as they can worsen blockage or push wax deeper.
• Address jaw tension - Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) tension or teeth grinding can produce clicking near the ears. Gentle jaw stretches, relaxation techniques or seeking advice from a dentist may help reduce symptoms.
• Consult a medical specialist - Seek medical evaluation if the clicking is persistent, painful, interferes with hearing, or occurs alongside dizziness, fluid leakage or a feeling of fullness in the ear. These may indicate an underlying middle-ear or Eustachian tube disorder requiring professional assessment.

Managing crackling sounds in the ear depends entirely on the underlying cause, so treatment plans can vary widely. After identifying the reason behind your symptoms, a doctor may recommend one or more of the following approaches:

• Antibiotics if a middle ear infection is present.
• Professional earwax removal when a blockage is caused by compacted wax.
• Ear tube or grommet insertion, which involves placing tiny ventilation tubes in the eardrum to improve pressure balance and encourage proper fluid drainage.
• Eustachian tube balloon dilation, a procedure that uses a small catheter with an inflatable balloon to gently widen the tube and improve its function.
• Medications such as tricyclic antidepressants or muscle relaxants to ease discomfort linked to temporomandibular disorders (TMD).
• Dental devices designed to correct jaw alignment or reduce tension in TMD cases, with surgery considered only if conservative treatments do not provide relief.
• Prescription or over-the-counter nasal sprays or allergy medicines when eustachian tube dysfunction is related to inflammation or allergic reactions.
• Lifestyle and dietary changes to help control acid reflux if this is contributing to your ear symptoms.
• Because ear crackling has many possible causes, receiving an accurate diagnosis is key to choosing the most effective treatment.

Hearing a clicking sound in your ear while running or walking is usually not a sign of anything serious, but it can feel distracting or uncomfortable. These noises often occur because movement changes the pressure inside your ears or affects nearby structures such as the jaw and neck. When you’re active, your eustachian tubes may open and close more frequently to keep the pressure in your middle ear balanced. This pressure adjustment can create soft clicking, popping, or crackling sounds, especially if you’re breathing heavily or swallowing more often during exercise. Another common cause is earwax shifting inside the ear canal. The natural movement of your head and jaw can cause wax to move slightly, producing faint crackling sensations. Earbuds or hearing aids worn during exercise may also amplify these sounds or contribute to a feeling of clicking. For some people, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) tension becomes more noticeable during physical activity, leading to clicking near the ear. Less commonly, middle ear muscle spasms or minor eustachian tube dysfunction can make sounds more prominent when your heart rate increases. Most of the time, these noises are harmless and temporary. However, if the clicking becomes persistent, painful, or is accompanied by dizziness, hearing loss, or pressure, it’s wise to speak with a healthcare professional to rule out any underlying issues.

If the crackling in your ear is mild and not accompanied by concerning symptoms, a few simple home strategies may help relieve the discomfort. However, if the noise worsens or doesn’t improve after trying these remedies, it’s best to contact a doctor for further evaluation.

• One of the easiest ways to ease crackling is to pop your ears. Swallowing, yawning, or chewing gum can help the eustachian tubes open and restore pressure balance in the middle ear. 
• If congestion is contributing to the problem, nasal irrigation — flushing the nose and sinuses with a saltwater solution — may help clear mucus that’s interfering with tube function.
• When earwax is the issue, you can try over-the-counter ear drops, mineral oil, or hydrogen peroxide to soften and loosen the wax so it can naturally move out of the ear. Avoid inserting cotton swabs, which can push wax deeper.
• Some people find relief with OTC medications. Anti-inflammatory medicines like NSAIDs may reduce pain and swelling, while decongestants or antihistamines can ease allergy- or cold-related congestion.
• If jaw tension or temporomandibular disorders are involved, gentle TMJ exercises, massage, or applying an ice pack to the area may help reduce clicking and discomfort.

1. Prevent respiratory infections - Colds, flu, and sinus infections are major triggers of Eustachian tube dysfunction. Reduce your risk by washing your hands often, avoiding close contact with people who are ill, not sharing personal items, and keeping up to date with recommended vaccinations.
2. Avoid cotton swabs inside the ear canal - The NHS specifically advises against using cotton buds, as they push earwax deeper into the ear and can cause blockages, irritation, or injury. Instead, allow earwax to work its way out naturally or use softening drops if needed.
3. Reduce exposure to environmental irritants - Allergens, cigarette smoke, and pollutants can inflame the nose and Eustachian tubes, increasing the chance of crackling or clicking. Limit exposure where possible, keep indoor air clean, and manage allergies with appropriate treatments.
4. Protect your ears from loud noise - Loud environments can damage the inner ear and contribute to tinnitus, which can present as clicking or crackling. Use earplugs or noise-reducing headphones during concerts, heavy traffic, power-tool use, or other noisy settings.
5. Maintain good hydration and nasal health - Staying hydrated and using saline nasal sprays can keep the Eustachian tubes functioning well, reducing the likelihood of pressure-related ear sounds. If symptoms persist, the NHS recommend seeing an ENT specialist for assessment.