TMJD and Tinnitus: Are They Always Related?

Well, since my tinnitus has been acting up I've been going to doctor after doctor trying to figure it out. I finally got around to seeing a TMJD specialist and it turns out I have it.

All this time I thought jaws were supposed to pop when you open them but the nurse and doctor gave me an odd look and a big no. They were actually surprised nobody else noticed it as it almost looks like a joint slipping out of it's socket when my mouth opens widest. And go figure that's the side my tinnitus is worse.

The problem is during the exam she couldn't get my tinnitus to worsen by pressing on the various parts. She was kinda surprised at that but when I mentioned it gets louder when I clench my jaw or yawn she said that it's all related.

So at the end if it she told me it's kind of a 50/50 toss up whether or not it's causing or worsening my ear ringing. I definitely have the disorder she said but I don't know what to do from here.

I have state insurance at the moment and this isn't covered. The office visit alone was nearly $200 and if they can't tell me if it's related or will help then I just don't know if I can spend what I'm sure will be lots of money that I don't have.

I guess my question is two fold...

1) Anyone here with TMJD have their ringing go down even if the doctor couldn't make it worse during exam?
2) Is the worsening of tinnitus by clenching jaw / yawning unrelated to the TMJD? I hear lots of people can do that.

I just don't know what to do!

Thank's guys.

 

I know my T gets louder when I yawn but I don't know if it's related to TMJ.

 

Based on my xperince my tinnitus was very related to my tmj problem, i think the sound comes from constricted blood vessels in my ears.

 

Odd. Mine gets quieter when I yawn.

 

I fall into category #2; I don't think I have TMJ but when I yawn or clench my T gets louder.

Glad you got a good diagnosis; what's the fix?

Mark

 

Mine also increases when I yawn or clench my teeth. It also increases depending on how I turn my head and when I press on certain spots of my head.

Let us know if treating TMJ helps you. I haven't had that checked yet.

 

Treatment starts with a splint. It's a mouthguard type of thing but not what you'd imagine. It has a large piece of plastic inside that repositions your jaw to take pressure off the joints near the ear.

How long you wear the splint depends on how bad your TMJD is. Surgery is an option too but only if it's really severe as I understand it.

To be honest, I haven't kept up with my splint at all because I hate it and when I originally got it my tinnitus was getting better naturally. I think I am going to start it up again because hey... paid for it and can't hurt, right?

 

I go to a neuromuscular dentist next week to get checked for tmj. my jaw crunches on one side but not painful and mine doesn't seem to get louder when jaws are pressed or anything , it spike whenever it feels like.....have been told by 1ent and 3 dentist I have tmj but hey don't they all just pass us on to the next one so they don't have to deal with us???