 [ Symptoms ] i have a cracklingcrunchy sound in my ear that comes and goes this sound has is becoming annoying as i lay down at night i will hear it the most it is this crunching sound almost like there is crawling around in my ear but i do not think this is the case it sounds like something is settling please help this is really bothering me thank you [ Disease ] most helpful answer i am right there with you i often describe this sound as the ppt ppt ppt of bubbles rising to the surface of water but i can see how it could sound like crackling to you let me ask you this have you been feeling dizzy balance problems do you sometimes feel you are walking off kilter if so you may be having trouble with your otoliths sometimes called the ear stones  the otoliths actually are tiny organs in the inner ear these highly sensitive organs help your brain sense the effects of gravity and acceleration in the very simplest of terms these organs consist of tiny hairs topped by a tiny well stone made of limestone and protein these stones called otoconia can fall off their hairs and roll down into other parts of the ear where they do not belong when this happens you may be able to actually hear the stones rolling about this situation is not dangerous on its own however it can cause you to feel dizzy and lose your balance resulting in falls interestingly the otoconia sometimes can be put back in place by having a physician manipulate your head in a particular sequence of movements this often cures the dizziness and balance problems regardless of what is causing this crackling sound you describe it is worth getting it checked out by a medical professional it could be something as simple as a piece of ear wax grinding against your eardrum or it could be an issue with your otoliths it is worth finding out wishing you well