The link between jaw problems and tinnitus - are you suffering unnecessarily?

Josh McCollum, Osteopath
Jun 29, 2018
2 min read

Updated: Apr 7, 2020

Tinnitus affects roughly 30% of people, with an estimated 10% of people suffering with persistent tinnitus.

Tinnitus can be a multitude of different sounds; those reported include buzzing, whooshing, humming or even a more musical quality.

Although many of us know about tinnitus, very few are aware of how many different causes there are to this condition; not all of them being permanent. Some causes of tinnitus include:

· Ear infections

· Damage of the sensory hairs within the inner ear

· Diabetes

· Head and neck injuries

· Rarely traumatic brain damage or tumour development

This month’s blog is going to focus on Tinnitus which has developed from TMJ (temporomandibular joint) dysfunction.

What does the TMJ do?

The TMJ allows for movement of the jaw during speech or chewing.

Other symptoms of TMJ dysfunction:

· Ear ache or itching

· Jaw clicking, locking or popping

· Headaches or Neck pain

· An abnormal bite

· Grinding your teeth at night

What can happen to the TMJ?

Because of it’s movement requirements; the jaw can frequently suffer from overuse injuries such as:

· muscular strains

· arthritis.

· There is also a ‘disc’ between the jaw and it’s attachment in the skull which can become ‘dislocated’.

· The jaw can become too mobile, or not mobile enough for many reasons, including chewing patterns.

Theories of TMJ involvement in tinnitus

1. The chewing muscles’ approximation to the inner ear can impact on hearing if the muscles become too tense. (Temporalis, Masseter, Pterygoid). By the muscles becoming tense it may alter the size of the Eustachian tube and tympanic membrane.

2. There is a ligament attaching from the jaw to a bone on the middle ear called the malleus. If this ligament becomes overstrained, sprained or inflamed it can impact on tinnitus.

3. The nerve supply to the TMJ has connections with the area of the brain that interprets sound, an alteration to the TMJ’s function may inhibit the nerve function.

4. There is also a significant link between TMJ problems and acute or chronic neck problems.

ree — Unilateral deviation of the temporomandibular joint

Exercises for TMJ dysfunction

Below are some basic exercises to help with TMJ mobility and stability. Before commencing these exercises it may be worth consulting your musculoskeletal specialist or medical professional. If any of the exercise aggravate your symptoms, stop them immediately and consult with a specialist before restarting them.

If your pain is also coming from the neck, you may be provided with further exercises to target this dysfunction.