Why does my ear make noise when I breathe, and what should I do about it?

Crackling or noises in the ear during breathing may be related to factors such as trauma, sensorineural tinnitus, and patulous eustachian tube. Treatment options include daily care, oral medications, and local medication use. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Trauma

If ear cleaning is performed carelessly, causing injury to the ear canal, symptoms such as local pain, redness, swelling, and abnormal sounds may occur. Under medical guidance, medications such as chloramphenicol ear drops or cefixime capsules may be used for treatment.

2. Sensorineural Tinnitus

The exact cause of sensorineural tinnitus remains unclear, but it is generally believed to be associated with conditions such as cochlear dysfunction or lesions of the auditory nerve. Clinically, symptoms include buzzing sounds (like cicadas), humming noises, and hearing loss. Under medical supervision, medications such as flunarizine hydrochloride oral solution or clonazepam tablets may be prescribed for treatment.

3. Patulous Eustachian Tube

If soft tissues surrounding the eustachian tube are damaged, localized soft tissue defects may develop, leading to abnormal opening of the eustachian tube. Clinical manifestations include low-frequency tinnitus and a sensation of fullness in the ear. Under medical guidance, treatments may include trichloroacetic acid solution or Tongqiao Biyan granules.

In addition to the above relatively common causes, symptoms may also be associated with factors such as tympanic membrane perforation, otitis media, and external otitis. It is important to seek timely medical evaluation at a hospital and follow the doctor’s instructions for appropriate diagnosis and treatment.