Athena Vale
Tinnitus, a condition that affects up to 20% of people, is characterised by ringing, buzzing, or other noises in the ears with no external source. While the relationship between muscle tension and tinnitus is not fully understood, there is evidence that muscle tension in the neck and jaw can trigger tinnitus symptoms. This is thought to be due to the close proximity of the chewing muscles to the ears and the interconnectedness of the nerves in the head, neck, and shoulders. Treatment for muscle-related tinnitus typically involves addressing muscle tension through massage, exercise, and heat therapy, as well as sound therapy, hearing aids, and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is the ringing in the ears called? | Tinnitus |
| What is tinnitus? | A condition where one hears ringing, buzzing, hissing, roaring, clicking, or whooshing sounds that are not from an outside source |
| How common is tinnitus? | Affects up to 20% of people |
| What are the causes of tinnitus? | Loud noise, medications, impacted earwax, middle ear problems, aging, damage to the hair cells in the cochlea, muscle tension in the neck, and more |
| Can muscle tension cause tinnitus? | Yes, muscle tension, especially in the neck and jaw, can trigger tinnitus |
| How to treat muscle tension-related tinnitus? | Exercise, water therapy, heat therapy, gentle stretching, massage, sound therapy, hearing aids, CBT, and lifestyle changes |
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What You'll Learn
Tinnitus and neck pain
Tinnitus is a condition where a person perceives sound, often described as ringing or buzzing, with no external source of the sound. It can also manifest as whistling, hissing, humming, roaring, or even shrieking. The sound may seem to come from one or both ears, from inside the head, or from a distance. While nonpulsatile tinnitus is fairly common, pulsatile tinnitus, which is intermittent, is rare.
Muscle tension in the neck is a potential cause of tinnitus. The many muscles, nerves, and tissues in the neck, shoulders, and head are interconnected, and impacting one may lead to issues with another. One way neck tension causes ringing in the ears is by disrupting Eustachian tube function. The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the nasal sinus cavity and helps drain fluids and equalize pressure in the middle ear. When neck muscles are tight, they can disrupt the ability of the Eustachian tube to open and close properly, leading to a feeling of fullness in the ears and ringing.
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, which affects the hinge that connects the skull to the lower jaw, often accompanies tinnitus and can be caused by a neck injury. TMJ can make it hard to fully open the mouth and often involves a loud clicking or popping sound while eating. TMJ disorder can also lead to Eustachian tube dysfunction, resulting in tinnitus.
If you are experiencing tinnitus and neck pain, it is important to see a clinician or audiologist to determine the underlying cause and establish a treatment plan. Treatment options for muscle-related tinnitus include exercise, water therapy, heat therapy, gentle stretching, and massage to reduce neck tightness and tension. Biofeedback, a relaxation technique that teaches control over certain autonomic body functions, may also help manage stress and anxiety associated with tinnitus. In some cases, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy, which involves delivering small electrical pulses through electrodes placed around the ears and neck, may be beneficial.
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TMJ disorder
TMJ, or temporomandibular joint disorder, is a condition that affects the hinge-like joint that connects the jaw to the skull. This joint is responsible for allowing the mouth to open and close smoothly. TMJ disorder can cause pain and discomfort when chewing, talking, or even at rest. It often involves headaches, clicking or popping sounds in the jaw, and difficulty opening or closing the mouth.
In the case of TMJ disorder, tinnitus may be related to inflammation and irritation in the surrounding tissues. This inflammation can impact the Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the nasal sinus cavity. When this tube is disrupted, it can affect the drainage of fluids and equalisation of pressure in the middle ear, leading to a feeling of fullness in the ears and potentially causing tinnitus.
To diagnose TMJ disorder, a thorough examination by a qualified professional is necessary. This typically involves discussing symptoms and medical history, assessing jaw movement and pain, and possibly utilising imaging tests such as dental X-rays or MRI scans to identify any abnormalities or damage.
Treatment options for TMJ disorder include medication to reduce pain and inflammation, oral appliances to address teeth clenching and grinding, physical therapy to strengthen and stretch the jaw muscles, and lifestyle changes such as stress management techniques and avoiding chewing gum or hard foods. These treatments aim to alleviate the symptoms associated with TMJ disorder, including tinnitus.
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Eustachian tube dysfunction
ETD can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Upper respiratory tract infections, such as the common cold, which can cause the lining of the Eustachian tube to become inflamed and swollen.
- Allergic rhinitis or rhinosinusitis, which can lead to swelling and difficulties in pressure equalisation.
- Altitude changes, such as during air travel or scuba diving, which can cause baro-challenge-induced Eustachian tube dysfunction.
- Smoking, which can cause the tiny hairs in the Eustachian tube to stop working and can also lead to enlarged adenoids, which can block the tube.
- Enlarged adenoids, tumours, or trauma, which can cause extrinsic compression of the Eustachian tube.
- Nasal septal deviation, which has been associated with ETD symptoms.
Treatment for ETD depends on the underlying cause and severity of symptoms. In some cases, no treatment is needed, and symptoms resolve within a few weeks. Common treatments include decongestants, antihistamines, or steroid nasal sprays. In more severe cases, surgery may be recommended, such as tympanostomy tubes (ear tubes) or implants, fillers, grafts, and fat transfers to help the Eustachian tube close properly.
It is important to note that while ETD can cause tinnitus in rare cases, it is more commonly associated with other symptoms, such as dulled or muffled hearing, a feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear, and pain. If you are experiencing tinnitus, it is advised to consult an audiologist and physician to determine the underlying cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
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Muscle relaxation techniques
Muscle tension in the neck and jaw can cause ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus. This is often related to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, which affects the jaw muscles, joints, and facial nerves. The many muscles, nerves, and tissues in the neck, shoulders, and head are interconnected, so impacting one may lead to issues with another. One way that muscle tension can cause tinnitus is by disrupting the Eustachian tube function, which connects the middle ear to the nasal sinus cavity. Tight neck muscles can prevent the Eustachian tube from opening and closing properly, causing a feeling of fullness in the ears and ringing.
Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) is a widely used and simple technique for reducing muscle tension and promoting mental relaxation. Developed by Dr. Edmund Jacobson in the 1920s, PMR involves tensing and relaxing 14 different muscle groups in a specific pattern. This helps to release tension from the muscles and makes one aware of what tension and deep relaxation feel like. Here is a step-by-step guide to PMR:
- Set aside 15-20 minutes and find a quiet, comfortable area.
- Turn off your phone and wear loose, lightweight clothing.
- Breathe in while creating tension and breathe out when releasing it, following a rhythmic pattern of breathing and movement.
- Start by lying or sitting down, and relax your entire body.
- Take five deep, slow breaths.
- Move through the body by alternately tensing and relaxing different muscle groups in a certain order, such as toes, calf muscles, knees, thighs, hands, arms, buttocks, abdominal muscles, chest, shoulders, and face.
- Tense each muscle group and hold for 5 seconds, then exhale and relax for 10-20 seconds before moving on.
- You can experiment with saying "relax" each time you release a muscle group.
- With practice, you can shorten the technique by focusing on fewer muscle groups.
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Tinnitus treatment options
Tinnitus is the perception of sound when there is no external source. It can manifest as ringing, buzzing, hissing, roaring, clicking, or chirping. There is currently no scientifically proven cure for most cases of chronic tinnitus, but there are treatment options that can help patients manage their condition.
Treatment Options
The "best" treatment option often depends on factors unique to each patient. Audiologists, physicians, mental health providers, primary care physicians, dentists, and physical therapists can all work together to treat tinnitus. Doctors can help diagnose the underlying problem and plan the best treatment strategy. For example, if a drug you're taking is the trigger, they may tell you to stop taking it or switch to another one.
Sound Therapy
Sound therapy can help patients manage their tinnitus. This involves the use of white noise machines, which can help to mask the ringing in the ears.
Hearing Aids
Hearing aids can be used to treat tinnitus.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a well-established treatment option for tinnitus. It is a specific type of psychotherapy that aims to change how people think, feel, and behave. It helps people focus on identifying unproductive thought patterns and replacing automatic negative thoughts with more realistic, less harmful, and more productive thoughts and associations.
Lifestyle Changes
Making lifestyle changes can help patients with tinnitus. These include:
- Reducing stress and anxiety through relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, exercise, and biofeedback.
- Reducing caffeine intake, as caffeine can make tinnitus worse.
- Reducing nicotine intake, as nicotine can affect the blood vessels that move oxygen to the ears and increase blood pressure.
- Reducing alcohol intake, as alcohol can increase blood pressure, which may make the ringing more noticeable.
- Getting enough sleep, as tinnitus can seem worse when you're tired.
- Protecting your hearing by wearing earplugs or earmuffs when around loud noises.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
TENS therapy involves using a device to deliver small electrical pulses through electrodes placed around or behind the ears and neck. These electrical pulses may influence the nerves connected to the auditory system, allowing the brain to respond differently and potentially suppressing tinnitus symptoms. However, the research on the effectiveness of TENS therapy for tinnitus has been mixed.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can be used to treat tinnitus. This includes slow, gentle neck exercises to release tension and discomfort, as well as the use of heat therapy and warm compresses to reduce chronic pain and neck tightness.
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Frequently asked questions
Tinnitus is a condition where you hear sounds like ringing or buzzing with no outside source. It can be subjective or non-rhythmic, where only the person with tinnitus hears the sound, or objective or rhythmic, where someone else may also hear the sound.
Muscular or somatic tinnitus is a rare type of tinnitus where you hear sounds caused by muscle spasms in your middle ear. Musculoskeletal factors like jaw clenching, tooth grinding, prior injury, or muscle tension in the neck can make tinnitus more noticeable. Tense muscles may also cause tinnitus by disrupting the Eustachian tube function, which connects the middle ear to the nasal sinus cavity.
If you suspect you have tinnitus, it is important to see a doctor or audiologist to determine the underlying cause and plan an appropriate treatment strategy. Muscle tension-related tinnitus may be treated with exercise, water therapy, heat therapy, massage, biofeedback, or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).
