Dominic Stone
Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, occurs when nerves that provide hearing lose their ability to transmit sound from the external environment to the inner ear. While tinnitus is often a symptom of an ear or sinus infection, it can also be caused by muscle knots, especially in the neck and jaw. This is known as muscular or somatosensory tinnitus, a rare type of tinnitus where sounds are caused by muscle spasms in the middle ear. Tight neck muscles, specifically, can cause pulsatile tinnitus, a rare form of tinnitus with a rhythmic buzzing or whooshing sound resembling a pulse. While vascular issues are the most common cause of pulsatile tinnitus, muscular problems such as an uneven bite, temporomandibular (TMJ) disorder, and muscle tension are also potential causes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of tinnitus | Somatosensory tinnitus, Muscular tinnitus, Pulsatile tinnitus |
| Symptoms | Ringing, buzzing, screaming, hissing, clicking, or whooshing sounds in one or both ears |
| Causes | Muscle knots, muscle tension, stress, nervousness, anxiety, teeth grinding, bad posture, head and neck trauma, jaw issues, degenerative conditions, high blood pressure, diabetes, hearing loss, ear or sinus infections, mental health issues, etc. |
| Treatment | Muscle relaxers, sound-masking devices, tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT), background noise, stretching exercises, surgery, bite splints, cognitive therapy, chiropractic care, transcutaneous nerve stimulation, etc. |
| Prevention | Wearing ear protection in loud environments, setting safe volumes on headphones, taking breaks from loud noise, reducing stress, avoiding jaw overuse, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Muscle tension in the neck and jaw
Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are a common cause of simultaneous neck and jaw pain. TMD affects the joints that connect the lower jaw and skull, and symptoms can include jaw clenching, teeth grinding, and pain or tenderness in the neck and jaw. Stress and anxiety can contribute to TMD by causing jaw clenching and teeth grinding, which overworks the jaw muscle over time. Osteoarthritis, a type of arthritis that breaks down bone, can also cause TMD by forming bone spurs in the neck, jaw, or both.
To relieve muscle tension in the neck and jaw, jaw exercises, and stretches are often recommended. These exercises aim to increase the range of motion and mobility of the muscles in the jaw and neck, reducing pain and improving function. Neck stretches can help relax the neck muscles and may prevent tinnitus, a condition involving ringing in the ears that can be caused by neck tension.
In addition to exercises, other treatments for muscle tension in the neck and jaw include muscle relaxers, Botox injections, and in severe cases, jaw surgery. A doctor may recommend jaw surgery as a last resort to correct TMD or treat severe pain due to structural problems in the jaw joint. While Botox injections can help relax the jaw muscles and prevent clenching, they are not a permanent solution and may require reinjection every few months.
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Sternocleidomastoid trigger points
Tinnitus is a condition where one hears sounds like ringing or buzzing with no external source. Muscular tension in the neck can lead to chronic neck pain, which can, in turn, lead to tinnitus. This tension can leave muscles feeling tender, cramped, or dotted with small lumps (knots) that can be felt through the skin.
The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) is the largest neck muscle in the front of the neck, extending from the mastoid process at the base of the skull to the collarbones and breastbone. It is responsible for movements like bending the neck, turning the head, and tilting the head. SCM trigger points can cause a wide range of symptoms, including tension headaches, migraine headaches, visual disturbances, muscle tenderness, and dizziness.
SCM trigger points can be caused by activities that strain the neck, such as poking out the chin, looking at a screen to the side, clenching the jaw, biting down on hard food, chewing gum, and biting nails. They can also be caused by alignment issues, such as a misaligned pelvis, and stress and anxiety, which can increase muscle tension.
To treat SCM trigger points, one can apply pressure to the trigger point for 30 seconds to one minute, shift fingers around to find other sore areas, and repeat. Additionally, treatments like stretching, physical therapy, and osteopathic manipulation can help. Preventative measures include managing stress, maintaining good posture, and being mindful of neck positioning during daily activities.
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Somatosensory tinnitus
Somatic or somatosensory tinnitus (ST) is a type of subjective tinnitus. It is a tinnitus subtype influenced by somatosensory information from the cervical spine or temporomandibular area. Somatosensory tinnitus is modulated by physical contact or movement, with a key characteristic being that it worsens with movement or touch. For example, it may be triggered by pressure on myofascial trigger points, finger movements, or forceful muscle contractions of the head, neck, and limbs.
The somatosensory system is a complex network of sensory and neurons that respond to changes at the surface or inside the body, including movement, pressure, touch, temperature, or pain. The somatosensory system can influence the auditory system by altering the pitch or loudness of the tinnitus.
Somatic tinnitus can vary in severity, but it is distinguished by its worsening with movement or touch. People with somatosensory tinnitus might only hear it when they move their head or look from side to side. It is also associated with physical symptoms, including neck pain, jaw clenching, and other symptoms of temporomandibular disorders.
The underlying neural processes of somatosensory tinnitus are not well understood, and there are no evidence-based clinical guidelines for treatment. However, it can be successfully treated with cervical spine physiotherapy or orofacial physiotherapy combined with splint treatment. Other treatments include sound-masking devices, tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT), and background noise.
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Muscular tinnitus treatments
Tinnitus is the perception of sound when there is no external source. It can vary from a low roar to a high-pitched sound and may be intermittent or constant. Muscular tinnitus is a rare type of tinnitus where sounds are caused by muscle spasms in the middle ear. It is usually a clicking noise.
Muscular tinnitus is often caused by strain on the muscles, especially the neck muscles, jaw muscles, nerves, joints, and other tissues in the head, neck, and shoulders. It can also be caused by several degenerative diseases affecting the head and neck, such as ALS or multiple sclerosis.
To treat muscular tinnitus, it is important to first identify its underlying cause. A doctor may check for something blocking the ear canal, such as earwax or an infection. They may also assess your alignment and movement patterns to see if there are other contributing factors.
If the cause of muscular tinnitus cannot be determined or persists after treatment, a doctor may prescribe muscle relaxant drugs. Other treatments include:
- Sound-masking devices: These provide white noise that drowns out tinnitus sounds.
- Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT): This involves wearing adjustable hearing-aid-like devices that gradually lower your awareness of tinnitus noises.
- Background noise: Listening to pleasant sounds like ocean waves or falling rain may help relieve symptoms.
- Stretching exercises: Regular neck stretches may help relax the neck muscles.
- Physiotherapy: A physiotherapist can help release trigger points in the neck and jaw muscles, which may provide immediate relief.
- Reducing stress: Activities like meditation or journaling may help reduce stress, which can contribute to muscle tension.
- Avoiding nerve stimulants: Caffeine and nicotine should be avoided as they can stimulate an already tense auditory system.
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Chiropractic care
Chiropractors can employ a range of techniques to address muscle knots and tension in the neck, shoulders, and head, which are common contributors to tinnitus. They may start by evaluating your medical history, including any history of trauma or pain in these areas, as well as your posture and skeletal alignment.
One specific muscle that chiropractors may focus on is the Sternocleidomastoid (SCM). Tightness or trigger points in this muscle can cause pain and tinnitus symptoms. By releasing these trigger points through specific pressure and holding techniques, chiropractors can help alleviate tinnitus and associated dizziness or vertigo.
In addition to trigger point therapy, chiropractors may recommend and guide you through stretching exercises for the neck and suboccipital muscles. These exercises can help relax tense muscles, improve flexibility, and reduce neck pain, thereby alleviating tinnitus symptoms.
Chiropractors may also suggest somatic modulation therapy, which involves repetitive training maneuvers of the head and neck muscles. This form of physical therapy aims to improve tinnitus intensity and symptoms through specific movements. Furthermore, they may advise on breathing and relaxation exercises, which can help reduce muscle tension in the jaw and neck, thereby lessening tension-related tinnitus.
It is important to consult with a qualified chiropractor who can tailor a treatment plan to your specific needs and underlying conditions. Chiropractic care, in conjunction with medical advice and other treatments, can offer a holistic approach to managing tinnitus caused by muscle knots and tension.
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Frequently asked questions
Tinnitus is a condition where you hear sounds like ringing, buzzing, or clicking that are not from an outside source. It is often a symptom of an underlying condition.
Yes, muscle knots, or tension, in the neck and jaw can lead to chronic neck pain, which can, in turn, lead to tinnitus. Tight neck muscles may cause pulsatile tinnitus in some cases, although this is not the most common cause.
If the cause of muscular tinnitus cannot be determined or it persists after treatment, a doctor may prescribe muscle relaxers. Other treatments include sound-masking devices, tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT), and stretching exercises.
