Why Does My Ear Produce a Rustling Noise During Chewing?
The Importance of Ear Care and Reasons for Rustling Sounds
The ear is one of the vital parts of our body, serving as our tool to listen to the world. In our daily lives, ears require our meticulous care, especially during their metabolic processes, where earwax is produced. Often, earwax can be expelled naturally from the body. However, if there's an excess, we may notice a rustling sound in our ears when chewing, indicating the movement of earwax against the eardrum.
Causes of Rustling Sounds in the Ears While Chewing
The rustling sound while chewing signifies the presence of earwax. Chewing causes the ear canal to move, leading to friction between the earwax and eardrum, resulting in the rustling noise. Earwax is a natural byproduct of the metabolism process, formed by the combination of skin flakes from the outer ear canal and secretions from sebaceous glands. Typically, clearing the earwax from the outer ear canal can alleviate this symptom. If self-cleaning is not effective, seeking professional help from a doctor is recommended. For hardened earwax that cannot be removed directly, soaking with 5% sodium bicarbonate solution can soften it for easier removal. Note that this method is contraindicated for those with eardrum perforations, as it may lead to infection.
Key Points for Ear Care
Maintain Good Mental Health: Emotional stress or anxiety can increase adrenaline secretion, causing spasms in the small arteries of the inner ear, slowing blood flow and resulting in oxygen deprivation, potentially leading to sudden deafness.
Develop Healthy Eating Habits: Eating foods rich in zinc, iron, and calcium can help prevent micronutrient deficiencies, expand microvasculature, improve blood supply to the inner ear, and prevent hearing loss.
Avoid or Use with Caution Drugs Harmful to Auditory Nerves: Aminoglycoside antibiotics are among the most ototoxic drugs, causing cochlear damage. Avoiding their misuse is crucial in preventing drug-induced deafness, especially for those with a family history of ototoxic drug allergies.
Protect from High-Decibel Noise: Prolonged exposure to loud noises can damage hair cells in the inner ear, leading to noise-induced deafness. Avoid loud environments like factories or loud entertainment venues like karaoke bars. Also, refrain from using earplugs for extended periods.
Regularly Massage Your Ears: Massage promotes blood circulation in the inner ear. Try massaging the earlobes, pinna, or pressing the Fengchi acupoint behind the neck. Alternatively, insert and quickly withdraw your index fingers from each ear canal ten times with eyes closed.
Do Not Clean Your Ears Excessively: Improper ear cleaning can cause damage to the outer ear canal, leading to infection, abscess, inflammation, or even eardrum perforation, impacting hearing.
Actively Manage Underlying Conditions: Conditions like hypertension, hyperlipidemia, cerebral arteriosclerosis, and diabetes can affect ear health. Managing these conditions is essential for maintaining ear health.
