Please Be Examined by ENT — I Got a New Lease on Life

Having recently experienced tinnitus, the first time in my life, I panicked and thought the worst: I’d never recover and my life would go in a very unfortunate direction I had never imagined.

Except, I had the great good fortune to be examined by a wonderful ENT physician whose diagnosis was a new lease on life for me: My tinnitus was caused *not* by a damaged ear, which was my worst fear, it was caused by a TMJ disorder, which can be treated with physical therapy and lifestyle/dietary changes, and be resolved, along with the resolution of the tinnitus. It also helped that the ENT removed a couple of sizable mounds of wax deeply impacted in my ears. I’m undergoing TMJ therapy and am on the mend.

So, I urge everyone who hasn’t been examined by an ENT doc to please do so. And, those who have been examined by an ENT with no success, seek a second, or third, or fourth etc, opinion. Don’t suffer in silence or absence of silence.

 

I'm so glad you might not have to suffer any longer.

 

Having briefly suffered with intense tinnitus, now gone, that had been caused by a TMJ disorder that is being successfully treated, I would urge everyone with tinnitus to go to a good ENT doc and determine if your tinnitus is, too, caused by TMJ. TMJ-related tinnitus is reversible. If the doc isn’t knowledgeable about TMJ, find one who is. There is hope.

 

I agree, if people don't know their cause of Tinnitus and are for sure it isn't any form of hearing loss, TMJ and wax should be the first things they should try to knock out just to see.

 

What treatment are you getting?

 

Depending on the severity of TMJ, either a chiropractor, masseuse, mouth guard or a splint.

 

@threefirefour 's tinnitus largely resolved after his TMJ was corrected.

 

What treatment? Do you reside in California?

 

I’m getting physical therapy to relax my TMJ, jaw muscles and neck. I’m on the East Coast. Try to find a good ENT physician knowledgeable in TMJ and a PT experienced in tinnitus and TMJ.

 

Physical therapy to relax my TMJ, jaw and neck muscles, which can trigger tinnitus since the inner ear “infrastructure” is connected.

 

I would avoid chiropractors and masseuses. You need to be examined by a good ENT doc knowledgeable about TMJ and work with a physical therapist knowledgeable in tinnitus and TMJ.

 

Yeah but not everyone is this lucky.

It took 2 friggin years of mine to be diagnosed with TMJD. 2 TMJ specialists and 1 jaw surgeon laughed at me when I said I can stop the tones in my ear by pushing my TMJ joint so there has to be a connection. 'oh so you have an instrument in your ear'. No, not funny at all.

Now they finally say I have serious deformation on both side and inflammation in jaw joint and yet they still don't think my issues are related to my TMJD.

I heard silence two times right after I started to do the TMJD exercises and anti inflammatory diet and it never ever happened in my 2 years of tinnitus life.

I am so tired of trying to be my own doctor.

 

You unfortunately received very bad info. My ENT determined that my tinnitus was TMJ-related within a few minutes of examining me without my asking him since I didn’t know much about TMJ. Pivotal to his diagnosis was my informing him that when I turned my neck in a certain way, the tinnitus disappeared for a while. And, my PT immediately could trigger my tinnitus by manipulating my jaw and neck and pressing my jaw muscles.

 

Well, you've been really lucky. At least 4 ENTs said TMJD can't cause this directly to my face. So it is not really only 'getting examined by an ENT'. Yeah do that for sure but you also need lots of luck and maybe not being in a third world country‍♀️

 

Sorry for your travail. I was very lucky. I owe a debt of gratitude to the wonderful volunteer audiologist associated with the American Tinnitus Association who at the height of my tinnitus crisis suggested TMJ as the likely cause. My ENT nailed it and my PT confirmed it. Better late than never

 

You are right.

What are you doing to treat your TMJ? & did you see any changes? And ıf yes again, how long did it take?

Is your tinnitus only in your one ear?

Sorry for asking too many questions.

 

I just noticed you’re in Turkey. I’m surprised that you describe Turkey as a third world country. I’m in the USA, however, you might try doctors in Israel, who are among the best in the world. Unless, Erdogan has banned travel to Israel.

 

Hmmm... @hurtingdream TMJ therapy...

 

No we can travel to wherever we want for now fortunately.

Turkey has been named as a third world country for a long period of time, but now there are debates. To me, we still have the same standards as third world countries in many aspects.

By the way, we had a local election today, they didn't even finish counting the votes yet but Erdoğan made a victory speech a few minutes ago and all the TV broadcast had to stop what they were showing in order to broadcast him. I was watching Survivor and then saw Erdoğan suddenly lol.

 

I’m happy to try to help others. My tinnitus started with siren-like ringing seemingly filling my entire head. Later, as it subsided, it was more localized to my right ear. Having been examined and diagnosed by my ENT doc, I’m being treated by a physical therapist specializing in tinnitus and TMJ. The doc advised elimination of all hard foods, which can aggravate TMJ. Such foods are nuts, breads with hard crust, crackers and other snacks, apples with the skin. This was very helpful for me. Also, grinding your teeth while sleeping can aggravate TMJ, so, in my next appointment with my dentist, I will ask about a mouth guard for sleeping. My PT suggested sleeping in a “neutral” position (flat) rather than propping up my head and neck with pillows—This, too, can aggravate the situation. Poor posture can also stress the neck and TMJ. A couple exercises he taught me: fold your arms and turn your head about 45 degrees to one side and then lower your chin to your chest, holding for several seconds. Repeat to the other side. Also, massaging the large jaw muscles that you can feel when clenching your jaw.

I hope this is helpful!

 

My American dentist, who is one of the best and who has expertise in treating TMJ, teaches his techniques in Israel, too. The late American actor Christopher Reeve was treated in Israel for a terrible spine injury. You might want to go there if you’re not receiving the best care in Turkey.

 

Thanks a lot for your answer.

My tinnitus started as exactly the same. It filled my head at first and I thought it was bilateral, then localized to the left after a few days.

I sleep in a very bad position since my childhood. A very high pillow and I put my arm under it which makes it even higher and puts a lot of pressure to my jaw.

My tinnitus is not affected by my neck movements but I can increase it by x10 if I retract my jaw (pulling the mandible back). I am 90% convinced that my t is due to my tmjd problems.

I may go to Israel. I may even coöe to USA if it is gonna help me with this.

Please keep us updated on your progress.

Does youe T fluctuate?

 

How did you turn your neck that made the tinnitus disappear?

 

Best wishes. My tinnitus is gone for the most part, as long as I follow the advice and do the exercises. If I eat a hard food or lay down or sleep in a bad position that stresses my neck/jaw, a slight sound will reappear but will eventually disappear when I make the proper corrections. Nutritionally, I’ve adopted a vegan diet in an attempt to eliminate inflammation that I think can aggravate my TMJ/neck issues and take extra vitamin B12 which I have read can be helpful with tinnitus, in addition to taking a magnesium supplement. I’ve eliminated sugar, which is pro-inflammatory, and salt, which can raise blood pressure. Clean blood vessels in the neck, head and inner ear are, I think, beneficial.

 

I don’t even remember how I turned my neck. I just randomly twisted it to be more comfortable, instead of adjusting the pillow. Turned out to be a sign that my tinnitus was neck-related

 

@MartinNYC That’s great for you. Unfortunately not many ENTs could be described as “wonderful”. Many couldn’t care less. Some make things worse.

 

Im on the same boat. was at work at out of nowhere i felt dizzy and ears started ringing . days later sharp ear pains and ringing continued ... next week after i go see a ENT and she checked my jaw and put pressure on my jaw joint and had me open and close.l i felt pain and she told me to see a dentist/ ibuprofen / hot compress/ soft foods and had a hearing test which was almost perfect . Told me not to stress and worry that it will get better .

so far 3 weeks of ear pain and ringing - no ear infection

Dentist verified TMJ issue and wants me to use an dental orthotic and see a upper cervical chiro to see if it will help with the ear pain/ ringing . i have some good days where i can bearly notice it now but in the beginning i had some spikes and really sharp ear pain . now its a dull pain that radiates to my neck .

How long before the therapy reduced/eliminated your T? @MartinNYC ?

 

The First World isn't always that great. My GP made a bad decision and gave some bad advice. Result = tinnitus.

I now find it hard to trust the word of doctors at all, and it doesn't matter where they are from. I now blame myself for being so naive.

 

My situation exactly and I'm starting physiotherapy for it on Monday and very positive it will get better... by the way Valium helps too which proves it's tension and stress related.

 

Martin NYC I saw The best ENT in my city and he said straight away is musculoskeletal. I was convinced it was caused by allergies .... the audiologist yes was above normal for my age. The dentist said it's not worth wearing a splint as many don't tolerate it but I'm pretty sure exercises will help and it will go away.