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

Anyone else also have TMJ trouble with their tinnitus?

I have a lot of jaw muscle problems too.

Has anyone tried any therapies that help with that?

Peggy

 

I have a lot of jaw readjustment and clicking of the jaw throughout the weak. The doctor wanted to sell me a custom molded night guard or whatever its called but the whole thing was too pricey for my liking. I dont think fixing the tmj/ jaw problems will help with reducing or eliminating T directly but I have my notions that if those problems with the jaw get worse T can possibly raise in volume along with it.

 

Doesn't anyone think that the T came from the TMJ disorder to begin with? If that is the case, isn't there a chance that the T will go away with treatment, i.e., stabilizing orthotic/splint? I have had T for eight months - orthotic for 7 months, some relief, but the T is still there.

 

I keep trying to see if someone has any idea if my situation with the TMJ and neck/shoulder issues can be remedied with my treatments, i.e., orthotic, chiropractic manipulation, Accupuncutre Injection Therapy in the jaw area.

Chicken

 

When I first got tinnitus, I thought that perhaps it was caused by TMJ. My dentist observed that I grind my teeth at teeth. I had a night mouth guard made, which I now wear at night. I'm not sure if has helped reduce my tinnitus.

 

Erik, my accupuncturist is an oriental doctor who has treated many cases of tinnitus in her time and has indicated that if the sounds changes, as she puts it, meaning goes up and down, that is a good sign. Karl, my neuromuscular dentist has me wearing my orthotic, which was designed specifically to stabilize my jaw, all day long instead of the night which he feels keep my jaw muscles more stabilized. About five months ago, I couldn't open my mouth more than two fingers, now I can do three which is awesome. If only that damn T would go away. My hyperacusis has really improved and the T isn't as throbbing. But it does pulsate when laying down at times. And the T is there during the day but like Erik says maybe I'm just getting used to it. I've read where it can upto two years with TMJ problems. I've read that wearing an orthotic the results start happening after six months.

 

My TMJ is very mild and the only symptoms I have is teeth grinding at night and occasional jaw pain 2-3 times a year, but I was prescribed Flexeril in hopes it would help with T. While it works for TMJ, I don't see any effect on T.

Here is a link to the Flexeril study posted by Erik:

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/anyone-tried-cyclobenzaprine-flexeril.525/

 

tried Flexeril and I broke out in a rash - did nothing for the T at all

 

Chicken -
I was just brushing my teeth, noticing a seeming reduction in my T, and I was reminded of an old post of Calin's: "Dr. Doullards Tinnitus Treatment". Here's the link:- https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/universal-sound-therapy-ust.166/page-3#post-740
calin, Jul 3, 2012

I was thinking, since your tinnitus is related to TMJ, you may find some relief massaging your jaw near your ear with a sonic toothbrush. When I first got tinnitus, this was one of many things I tried. I recall that some people benefitted from this type of massage.

 

Karl,

Great news about the reduction in your T. I currently go to an oriental accupuncturist/chiropractor who works on the TMJ. My jaw was actually deviating to the right and now it is much better. I'm also doing accupuncture injection therapy on my right side of the jaw and neck muscles--ouch!! Not sure about the toothbrush thing. When I'm finished brushing my teeth with my electric toothbrush my T seems to be a bit louder. I wonder why. Anyway, thank you for your message.

 

Chicken -
The toothbrush thing is a massage. It's easy and harmless. I only mention it because one person on this forum actually said his T actually went away for a short time.

 

Karl,

I read so many things on this site. The research and trial of many types of medications and procedures is amazing. I just wish the ATA would come out with a medical solution or the ATA team up with some of the organizations/universities that do a great deal of research. I'm still confused on how medical advancements have come so far, but no one can find a solution to this quite bothersome thing. I have tried several things since this started in October and my dentist still believes it muscular. I wish we could just stop grasping at straws and have a viable solution. I don't think TRT and Kevin Hogan's remedy is a solution for me and many others on this site. I also see that most of us really don't know how or why it started. All I know mine started one night after I did something physically on my driveway. But, here is the question, did the T start because of my TMJ and neck strain or did it start out of nowhere? When I plug my ears the T sounds a bit farther away I hope that is a good sign. I use Saline spray every day every four to six hours because when I tilt my head side to side I always had and still do a crackling sound like the eustachian tube is plugged. My ears pop at night when I lay on my T side sometimes. Anyone have any ideas that?

 

Do you have allergies? My ears are popping, crackling and ticking all the time, my allergist said it is because of nasal congestion and sinus inflammation... Something with air pressure.

 

I do - the inflammation makes sense. I'm glad to hear I'm not crazy with the crackling thing - I use Saline Nasal spray all the time - it helps. It's a natural solution, I can't use anything else.

 

Karen,

How did your T start? Are you sure you don't have a TMJ issue? As far as I know, the crackling could your stapedius muscle or eustachian tube dysfunction probably from inflammation.

 

TMJ disorder can be sometimes confirmed with a simple test - just use a sound recording device (most mobile phones nowadays have this function). Place it close to your bed and leave it recording overnight. The sound of teeth grinding at night is surprisingly loud. Maybe I should patent this idea, ha ha.

 

Has anyone with TMJ/tinnitus issues and have exercised a bit too strenously, i.e., using neck and shoulders muscles had t go up? Is this normal? my t was doing pretty good and have been getting acupuncture injections in jaw area and neck and shoulder but after doing some exercises the other day, the t seems a bit louder and much more annoying. any comments on this?

 

I'm confident that once doctors agree on the neurological pathway causing tinnitus they will be able to find ways to alleviate or fix this condition. The ATA needs a consesus about "The Cause". At this point, things are still in the democratic stage, where all ideas are equal. This is frustrating for us, because we want answers and we want them now.

I'm looking at a 2006 issue of "The Hearing Journal": Says that tinnitus researchers have been looking at the role of an organ called the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN). This organ is implicated in one of the oddities of tinnitus - somatically modulated tinnitus. TMJ and neck related tinnitus are "somatic" type tinnitus. With these types, a person can change the volume of the tinnitus by clenching their jaw, stroking their face or moving their neck:

"It therefore looks as though somatic modulation of tinnitus is a very common phenomenon, and the implication is that some neural pathway connecting somatic sensation with hearing is present in humans..the DCN is being suggested as a site where interaction between the somatic and auditory systems can take place."

So, there you go. Add "DCN" to the toolkit.

Whether it starts in the ear with inner hair damage, or at the DCN, I think the end defective neurological path is a feedback circuit in the central auditory processing system. I don't buy into theories about "irritated nerves", etc.

 

Karl,

I would agree with you but for me it seems so coincidental that the T started with tmj and something physical I did, which I would agree with you it is somatic. But, here is the question, wouldn't the T go away with treatment for tmj if that was the case. I don't think there is any nerve damage because my hearing is fine, no dizziness, no vertigo. So I get confused. Why would the DCN be involved in something so muscular in nature? Or at least I thought so.

 

chicken -
The DCN is on the back of your neck. It's a primitive organ that doctors don't know much about. Like the appendix, it's a vestigial organ that has an uncertain primitive purpose. Just a theory that they have, but no conclusions how to fix things.

I'm not sure what to say about your TMJ. Even though your hearing is fine, the nerves involved with TMJ must be influencing the auditory nerves. That's a given. There's a lot of complex circuitry in the brain stem. It's "Command Central" for all senses in the body.

I've observed that people on this site with somatic tinnitus have their good days and bad days. Yours seems variable.

 

So Karl are you saying that my T is probably permanent with the hopes of just good days or bad days. My neuromuscular dentist thinks different and has said it may take a long time. I respect your opinion.

 

chicken -
As Roy Rogers use to say, "Slow down there, Trigger!".

I am not a doctor, and in particular, I know very little about TMJ. I'm just a guy who so far has 245 messages on this website and counting. That doesn't give me a diploma - unless it's a diploma in "Blathering".

Earlier in your postings, you mentioned that you have actually talked to Dr. Jastreboff himself. That's like talking to the "Sigmund Freud of Tinnitus". I recall that he gave you some very positive advice, but you needed time before he can work with you. Listen to him. Don't give up hope.

As far as myself, I am hoping that my attitude toward tinnitus will get better as I habituate. I'm at 10 months. I've heard it takes 1 to 2 years to reach habituation. And for people who reach that point, tinnitus doesn't seem to matter that much anymore.

 

i get very nervous when someone starts mentioning dcn or nerve damage. i had mri's, ct scans, ent visits, so far you guys on this website make more sense than most. but your comments made me laugh--you don't blather.

 

I saw this mentioned many times, that tinnitus can be caused by TMJ. It is one of things I suspected may be causing my own T.

But I have been wondering, what exactly causes T in such case? Is it strained jaw muscles blocking the bloodflow to middle ear? Nerves in ear becoming damaged from jaw pressure? Karl, you read a lot, have you found any info about this?

 

I was told in 2006 that I had (what turned out to be temporary) TMJ caused by the swelling or inflammation of the joint that connects my lower jaw to my head (skull?). It went away after a few months but sometimes my jaw aches or feels as though it's going to lock.

The consultant in the Maxillofacial unit told me that there were 'mixed opinions' in the medical profession but the majority agreed that it was caused in most cases by either air pressure changes (many people suffered TMJ for the first time during or after travelling to a higher altitude) or stress and usually manifested itself in people who either had misaligned jaws or problems with their back teeth.

That's why I visited my dentist the other day - to be booked into hospital to have a wisdom tooth (that has grown in a strange way - pushing the root back and 'up') removed. I don't think it will get rid of the T but it's a possible cause that I have to eliminate (I'd have them all out if I thought it would get rid of the T).

Unfortunately I can't have it removed by the dentist because for years I've been immune to their injections to numb the teeth - nothing numbs mine except a full out general anaesthetic

 

Does anyone know why the T would change in pitch so drastically when yawning: is it a TMJ related item or neurological?

chicken