I have had an issue with my right ear for two weeks now, crackling noise, it is intermittent. Sometimes water running makes it happen, sometimes in bed it is worse, during the day it goes somewhat mute. I have not had a cold, grave illness, I have been using a Walkman for about two weeks for C.D. s when at work doing mundane filing. I have tried Tea Tree Oil, ignoring it, hoping it would go away it has not. I do not take any drugs, I am 65 years young. Trudy