Do you have a constant ringing in your ears, and you’re not sure why? What if the problem is in your jaw instead of your ears?
Strangely enough, jaw discomfort and tinnitus have a lot in common. Tinnitus is the ringing, buzzing, or whooshing noise you hear with no external source. In fact, this unknown sound may also be a jaw joint problem, or TMJ dysfunction.
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint that connects your jaw and skull near the ear canal. When the joint becomes inflamed or out of alignment, it can press on nerves and tissues nearby, resulting in auditory symptoms.
Additionally, if you grind or clench your teeth at night from stress, you may wake up with a tight jaw and an increase in tinnitus. It’s not in your head; your body is indicating there is an imbalance somewhere.
This blog will help you better to understand the link between jaw pain & discomfort.
Here’s what’s happening below the surface:
Pathways connect the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) with the ears. When the TMJ is irritated or inflamed, these pathways may misfire and transmit incorrect information to the auditory system. This miscommunication may be perceived as ringing, buzzing, and humming, which is why jaw issues tend to show as ear-related problems.
Tight or misaligned jaw muscles can be a source of tension on the tissues near the ear. The tension created by the jaw and ear structures can disrupt the balance of these systems. If the ear tension reaches a certain threshold, the auditory system may respond with phantom sounds such as tinnitus. Clenching or grinding chronically likely exacerbates tension in these tissues over time.
Inflammation in the TMJ can result in the formation of air bubbles, internal bleeding, or fluid inside the joint. These occurrences can elevate internal pressure and potentially affect the nearby structures in the ear. The increase in pressure can cause ringing or pulsing noises in the ears. Managing the inflammation can significantly lower these symptoms.
This type of tinnitus is called somatic tinnitus, because it’s physical and mechanical, not auditory. Hence, there will be no success treating the ears unless you treat the jaw.
Dr. Luis Gavin is a maxillofacial surgeon who has practiced for over 30 years and is one of the few doctors in the GCC with the specialization of TMJ arthroscopy. A minimally invasive technique that treats inflammation, imbalance, and internal compression within the TMJ. Often, patients see great relief from tinnitus.
If you are tired of the constant discomfort or jaw tightness in the morning, don’t ignore the warning signs. You may be displaying signs of something interlinked — and treatable.
Take the step and book your consultation with Prof. Dr. Luis Gavin to find a targeted, medical solution for your TMJ-related tinnitus.