Tinnitus, the ringing or buzzing in your ears with no identifiable source, is a common symptom. While researchers are still debating the possible causes of tinnitus, hearing loss is one of the most often cited. A second possible cause is temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD).
What Is a Temporomandibular Joint Disorder?
The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) connect the jaw to the skull. There is one TMJ on either side of the jaw. The joints act as a sliding hinge, allowing the jaw to open and close. TMDs cause pain in the joints and surrounding muscles.
Symptoms of TMDs include:
- Pain or soreness in the jaw or the jaw joints
- Soreness in or near the ear
- Facial pain
- Uncomfortable or painful chewing
- Headache
- Neck pain
- Tooth pain
- Clicking sound or a grating feeling when chewing
How Are TMDs and Tinnitus Connected?
The TMJ sits close to the cochlea, the inner ear structure responsible for hearing. Due to this proximity, problems with the TMJ can directly impact the auditory system and contribute to the development or exacerbation of tinnitus.
One 2019 study found that approximately 60% of people with TMJ disorders experience tinnitus, compared to 15–30% of those without TMJ issues. This evidence highlights a clear connection between jaw health and hearing symptoms.
If a TMJ disorder and tinnitus arise simultaneously, a two-part approach may offer the greatest relief.
How Can I Manage TMDs and Tinnitus?
Your Katy dentist may recommend one or more of the following to ease TMD symptoms:
- Anti-inflammatory pain relievers
- Muscle relaxants
- Night guards to stop teeth grinding
- Physical therapy or counseling
- Hot and cold compresses
If your tinnitus is related to TMD, treating the underlying cause may help alleviate the ringing. If the ringing continues or is severe enough to cause insomnia, irritability or trouble concentrating, you should see a hearing specialist. They may recommend one or more of the following:
- Sound masking. Sound masking works by distracting the brain from the internal ringing of tinnitus with a soothing external sound. You can use noise machines, smartphone apps or hearing aids to employ sound masking.
- Therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) teaches you how to reframe or pull focus from your tinnitus. When you don’t focus intensely on the negative aspects of tinnitus, you’re less likely to find it bothersome.
- Relaxation. Stress can worsen tinnitus. If you’re under greater stress than usual, you might find relief from relaxing activities like reading at the Library or taking a yoga class.
Don’t wait until tinnitus starts negatively impacting your life. Contact Today’s Hearing today to discuss your management options with one of our specialists.