TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction) and Tinnitus — The Connection? Discuss!

This intrigues me too...

 

My pitch changes to a very high one when I yawn, eat or clench my jaw too...

 

I was thinking it may be TMJ related but I wasn't sure - I believe Petloy you had a question about TMJ issues

 

I don't know if mine is TMJ, I have high frequency hearing loss at 6-8 khz so mine is probably noise induced...to long iphone use when running. I had my sister-in-law who is a dentist look at my jaw and she said I'm fine...btw I had braces since last year and had it tightened frequently for the last 2 months...coincidence? I really am at a loss regarding the pitch changing when I move or clench my jaw though...

 

well it's my understanding that when you clench your jaw or move your jaw and the pitch changes it has to do with the jaw - it just makes sense to me - perhaps your braces has something to do with the muscles in your jaw - maybe you need to see another dentist

 

I'm planning to get night guards I hope it'll help. I might be grinding my teeth. May be if T is more of a brain noise I might habituate faster, but this physiological thing with my jaw makes it a little bit difficult.

 

Believe me I know - mine is strictly TMJ related and I have been wearing a customized orthotic for a year now and I still have the T - which is very physiological.

 

i have never asked anyone on this site if they are wearing or have ever worn a repositioning/stabilizing orthotic for tmj and tinnitus symptoms. i have been wearing this for a year now and even though my jaw feels better the T is still there - wondering if someone else has had any experience with this

 

Has anyone got Tinnitus with jaw problems?

 

I believe that my T was definitely caused by TMJ that I ignored. My jaw actually shifted to the right a bit and my muscles were really tight. An orthotic that I wore for a year alleviated the jaw problem but the T is still there but better. They say it can take a long time. My eustachian tubes are screwed up I think? My question to anyone out there is this, when I lay on right side at night (T and TMJ side) my ear seems to fill up a bit and then I lift my head and then I hear a pop. Any ideas out there?

 

Chicken, can you describe what your orthotic does to your jaw specifically? my orthodontist wants to try giving me a jaw splint that pulls my lower jaw forward. he thinks this will take some of the tension off my ear muscles. does this sound ridiculous to you? i dont want to spend a whole bunch on this if i can't be sure it will work to at least fix my jaw pain and stiffness.

others who i've spoken to about TMJ issues usually say their splint was made to correct their bite, not pull their jaw forward.

 

my orthotic repositioned my jaw because it deviated to the right and my jaw had trouble opening and then it would pop real loud and then I did something out of the ordinary physically on my driveway and that night I woke up with T. I believe there is more T related to TMJ than people realize. But I think my orthotic was worth it. The crackling was my question and the ear pop at night was really what I was asking about for if anyone had any knowledge, and many people on this site do, about the eustachian tubes. But, to answer your question echoes 01, I think the orthotic is worth it

 

Hi, I'm new to this forum.
I just found out that the tinnitus I have is due to my TMJ. I didn't realize that both my TMJ and tinnitus were related even though they started at the same time-about 6 months ago. I thought I had a bad toothache and maybe needed root canal. I finally got up the nerve to have that taken care of when the root canal specialist told my I had TMJ.
Here's my REAL problem- the tinnatus has gotten so bad that for the last 4 nights I haven't been able to sleep. Last night I took a over the counter sleep pill but still managed only 4 hours sleep.
I found some exercises for my TMJ on some websites and started doing them.
Does anyone have any other suggestions for me-other websites, exercises etc., that may help me?
It seem like many or most of you are dealing with just the tinnitus problem-and I appreciate your pain and you you all find relief soon.
Thanks, Bill Smythe

 

@bill smythe:

Welcome to this excellent, informative forum. You will find the members here very knowledgeable and supportive.

I believe the link between TMJ and tinnitus is reasonably well established. If indeed your TMJ is the cause of your tinnitus, you should tackle that first to see if the tinnitus resolves. First off, see a specialist. Depending on your situation, the doctor might recommend a night splint, physical therapy, or even trigger point therapy. I have undergone all three of these treatment regimens. While none of these helped me, note that my situation is peculiar in that I don't have many of the classical TMJ symptoms other than some soreness around my jaw and tinnitus!

If your tinnitus persists, don't despair. While there are no cures available, there are a host of treatments, medications, and techniques that will help you deal with tinnitus and related stress and insomnia. Peruse this site, ask questions, and find out what is right for you.

Best, Golly.

 

Thanks Golly,
Can't take this loud ringing anymore.
Bill

 

PS> Thanks for your advice!

 

So noticed about a month ago when i chew on something i hear a cracking clicking noise in my jaw lol doesnt bother me but is this tmj? My t is noises induced and hasnt got any worse ( fingers crossed ) but its funny how one thing bad happens after another...

 

Happens to lots of folks on here too.
Can be TMJ or ETD

 

No way to be certain without testing, of course, but likely it's neither.

Grace, you have had tinnitus for three months. Your brain is still trying to sort things out. You have this uninvited guest in your head, the ultimated unwelcome intruder, the uncle who came for a visit and who just will not leave. Your autonomic nervous system, which is designed to protect you, is on "high alert" as it tries to seek out and process all sorts of internal auditory input. I suspect that you have had the crackling noises in your jaw for a very long time and that they are normal "for you." The difference is that before your system went on high alert, you were never aware of them.

Nothing to be concerned about. That's my take on it anyway.

sp

 

Has anyone pursued the connection between TMJ and tinnitus? I found lots of info online. Here's an example:

thefifthnerve.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/TMJ-Ear-Pain.doc‎

I can change the sound of my T by clenching my teeth or opening my mouth really wide.

Apparently, a neuromuscular dentist is the specialist to see about TMJ being the culprit for causing some people's tinnitus.

 

I will be seeing a Neuromuscluar Dentist soon. However, I have pretty bad TMJD and it's not just for my ear issues. I expect that I will most likely have to treat my T and H through other means as well, or just accept it. It seems dental treatment only resolves ear issues half the time (based on research) and ear issues are always last to go. Also, treating TMJD is usually not a straight line.

 

Yes, there are lots of discussions here about this topic. I am also exploring this path, since I have neck pains, forward head posture and bruxism.

 

I have TMJ for 3month that I didn't know.

I just notice now but how do I cure it?

I'm getting hard depression.

Please be kind and help me.

 

Did a dentist diagnose it? I would find a dentist experienced with tmj they should be able to help you. And see someone about the depression is good that you have an idea what might be wrong but you need to see a doctor so they can help treat you. Good luck.

 

TMJ can be a cause of tinnitus, and some TMJ specialists say bite splint therapy can help. But I think it should be a last resort as it is very expensive (at least where I live), isn't guaranteed to make the tinnitus go away, and can change your bite so much that you may need braces. There are night guards (stationary splints) you could try. Like Cullenbohannon said, you should consult a dentist. Here's what the TMJ Association recommends:
1) FIRST, try eating soft foods, using ice packs, and avoiding extreme jaw movements, like yawning and gum chewing. Short-term use of over-the-counter or prescription pain medicines may also provide relief.

2) AVOID treatments that cause permanent changes in the bite or jaw. This includes crown work, bridge work or orthodontics to change the bite, grinding down teeth (bite adjustment), or repositioning splints.

3) AVOID surgical treatment, where possible. There have been no long-term studies to test the safety and effectiveness of these procedures.

 

The ringing/hissing in the ears, the neck pain, the balance problem, the spasms and nerve issues, ear itchiness, etc. All due to TMJ! I will post back here when I get my treatment night guard/splint for TMJ. But yes, my bite is off and out of alignment. Dentist said that he's not sure if it's irreversible as it's in some sort of cycle but gradually, symptoms will go away... hmmm. If Tinnitus goes away when treated during this, I will know it caused it. He was funny, he said "I know who can cure you.... God can! But I might be able to go through the proper channels to help" Haha

 

Much luck to you! I have BAD tmj and feel pretty confident it caused my t and h. I am getting treatment too soon and hoping for results.

 

Lynn, what kind of treatment are you looking at for your TMJ? I think mine was caused by sitting almost 3 hours in a dental chair at my old dentist with my mouth open. 2 days later, all my issues started.

 

I will be seeing a.neuromuscular dentist and I imagine.spint therapy in conjuction with chiro/ cranial sacral therapy.