Hearing a constant ringing in your ears can be a jarring experience. Is something wrong with your eardrum? Are you losing your hearing? Is someone talking or gossiping about you?
One possible explanation for this ringing in the ears is TMJ-induced tinnitus.
What is Tinnitus?
According to Mayo Clinic, “Tinnitus is when you experience ringing or other noises in one or both of your ears.” While “ringing” is a familiar sound, what distinguishes tinnitus from other run-of-the-mill ringing sounds is that other people can’t hear them.
What Causes Tinnitus?
While in the vast majority of cases, tinnitus is caused by hearing loss, in others, the cause is a physiological function or disorder within the body. TMJ can explain these cases. According to the British Tinnitus Association, there are three prevailing theories on how TMJ can cause tinnitus.
TMJ-Tinnitus Theories
- Chewing muscles are close to muscles that insert into the middle ear. As a result, when these chewing muscles are off-balance due to a TMJ disorder, there can be consequences for the auditory system.
- There is a direct connection between the ligaments attached to the jaw and hearing bones in the middle ear. When the typical harmony that exists between these structures is disrupted, patients may experience tinnitus.
- The nerve supply from the TMJ connects with the parts of the brain that are involved in hearing. The general discomfort associated with TMJ problems can also aggravate any pre-existing tinnitus.
How to Know If You’re Being Affected
While symptoms can vary from patient to patient, people suffering from tinnitus may hear:
- Clicks
- Buzzes
- Hisses
- Whistles
Tinnitus can vary in duration as well. Some people only experience symptoms temporarily, where others face tinnitus symptoms more long-term.
Treat TMJ Treat Tinnitus
If you’re suffering from TMJ-related tinnitus, neuromuscular dentistry could be the answer you need. In addition to alleviating the ringing in your ears, TMJ treatment can also remedy:
- Muscle spasms and pain
- Bite relation
- Headaches and migraines
TMJ-Related Tinnitus Treatment at Balance Epigenetic Orthodontics
High-pitched ringing can significantly impact people’s lives. Hearing tinnitus’s constant clicking, buzzing, whistling, hissing, or ringing can also lead to anxiety or depression. Patients who are suffering should call Dr. Buck at (425) 361-0715 today or visit our contact page.