It was a small hole in my eardrum. I now have a very small patch over it. That can cause some of the crackling sound, and a sense of my ear being full. It's as good as it's going to get. What I found interesting is the patch is made out of the same material as cigarette paper. The kind that people use to roll their own tobacco. Very strange! Have you been to an ENT specialist? If not, I would suggest you do.