Dominic Stone
Humans have control over their skeletal muscles, but there is one muscle that we don't always have a handle on: the tensor tympani. This muscle, located in the middle ear, is protective and dampens the sound of noises coming from outside and inside the body. When this muscle spasms, it can result in middle ear myoclonus (MEM), a rare condition that causes tinnitus or a roaring sound in the ears. Interestingly, some people can voluntarily contract the tensor tympani muscle, producing a rumbling sound. Aside from the tensor tympani, another muscle that can be heard is the masseter muscle, which can be listened to by placing your ear on the palm of your hand. The study of muscle noise and vibrations has potential applications in medicine, as it may provide a non-invasive way to monitor the progression of muscular diseases and complement or eliminate the need for radiation-based diagnostic techniques like X-rays and MRIs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tensor Tympani Muscle | A muscle within the ear that can be voluntarily controlled by some people |
| Sound Produced | A rumbling or roaring sound |
| Cause | Involuntary contraction or spasm of the tensor tympani and stapedius muscles in the middle ear |
| Condition | Middle Ear Myoclonus (MEM) or MEM Tinnitus |
| Occurrence | Rare, occurring in about 6 out of 10,000 people |
| Muscle Noise Applications | Can be used to monitor the progression of muscular diseases and complement X-rays and MRIs |
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What You'll Learn
- Tensor tympani muscle contractions can cause a rumbling sound in the ears
- Middle ear myoclonus (MEM) is a rare condition that causes tinnitus
- Muscle noise can be used to monitor the progression of muscular diseases
- The tensor tympani muscle is attached to the malleus bone
- The tensor tympani muscle controls the tension of the eardrum
Tensor tympani muscle contractions can cause a rumbling sound in the ears
The tensor tympani is a small muscle located above the auditory tube. It is a unique striated muscle in the middle ear that is innervated by the trigeminal nerve, the fifth cranial nerve. When the tensor tympani contracts, it opens the Eustachian tube and pulls the malleus bone inwards, tightening the eardrum membrane and reducing the perceived amplitude of sounds. This is known as the tympanic or acoustic reflex, which is thought to protect the inner ear cells from damage by dampening the sound vibration that is allowed to penetrate the cochlea.
However, in some cases, the tensor tympani muscle contracts involuntarily, causing tensor tympani syndrome (TTS) or tensor tympani myoclonus. This rare condition results in tinnitus, or the perception of rhythmic sounds synchronizing with the heartbeat. The involuntary contraction of the tensor tympani muscle can be triggered by the perception or anticipation of loud sounds, and it can lead to symptoms such as ear pain, a fluttering sensation, or a sensation of fullness in the ear.
Interestingly, some people can voluntarily contract their tensor tympani muscles, producing a low, rumbling sound in their ears. This phenomenon has been known since at least 1884 and was discussed in Johannes Müller's 1842 text, "Elements of Physiology Volume 2". The ability to voluntarily contract the tensor tympani muscle is considered a rare skill, and most people are unaware that it is possible.
For those who cannot voluntarily contract their tensor tympani muscles, yawning can trigger an involuntary contraction, creating a rumbling sound in the ears. This occurs when the neck or jaw muscles are highly tensed during a deep yawn, and it is a harmless occurrence.
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Middle ear myoclonus (MEM) is a rare condition that causes tinnitus
Middle ear myoclonus (MEM) is a rare condition, affecting around 1.5% of new tinnitus patients, or about 6 in 10,000 people. It is characterised by the perception of sound without an appropriate external source, often described as a “clicking” or “buzzing” sound, although the quality of the tinnitus can vary considerably between patients. In rare cases, the noise may be audible to someone other than the affected individual.
MEM is caused by abnormal, involuntary, and repetitive contractions of the tensor tympani and/or stapedius muscles in the middle ear. These muscles normally function to dampen external sounds and reduce the sound of internal noises, such as chewing or our own voice. When these muscles spasm, it can result in the characteristic sounds of MEM tinnitus. The tensor tympani muscle attaches to the malleus, a hammer-shaped bone that transmits sound vibrations from the eardrum. The stapedius muscle also attaches to different ear bones (ossicles) and is innervated by separate cranial nerves.
The diagnosis of MEM is challenging and often relies on case reports in the otolaryngology literature, as there are no objective tests to reliably distinguish between tensor tympani and stapedius myoclonus. Audiometry is not typically used for diagnosis, but long-term audiometry may show a characteristic appearance in some cases. Conditions that may mimic MEM include palatal myoclonus and patulous Eustachian tube. In the majority of cases, the cause of MEM is unknown, although anxiety is believed to play a role in lowering the threshold for muscle contractions.
Treatment options for MEM include oral medication, surgery, and the local application of botulinum toxin. Medications such as benzodiazepines aim to reduce the myoclonus and have an additional anti-anxiety effect. Surgical treatment involves tympanotomy and surgical sectioning of the muscle tendons (tenotomy), which is non-reversible and requires a clear diagnosis and identification of the responsible middle ear muscle. Botulinum toxin can also be used to treat muscle spasm and overactivity, and it may help confirm the diagnosis and identify the correct muscle for possible later surgical intervention.
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Muscle noise can be used to monitor the progression of muscular diseases
Muscle noise, or muscle sound, is a mechanical phenomenon that has been known about since 1800. It is produced by the shortening of actomyosin filaments along the axis of the muscle during contraction. The sound is the result of vibrations at the surface of the muscle. These vibrations depend on the local muscle stiffness, which changes depending on the muscle's condition. For example, muscles become harder when they contract during exertion, and neuromuscular disease also produces changes in muscle stiffness.
By measuring the velocity of these vibrations under different conditions, researchers can build a comprehensive picture of a muscle's elastic properties and how they change over time. This can be used to monitor the progression of muscular diseases non-invasively, without the need for external sources such as indentation or ultrasound. The technique provides quantitative information about the muscle's mechanical properties and can be used in conjunction with other methods such as X-rays and MRI scans.
One way to measure muscle vibrations is through electromyography (EMG). This procedure involves inserting small needles, or electrodes, into the muscle to measure its electrical activity in response to a nerve's stimulation. The electrical activity is displayed on an oscilloscope and can also be heard through an audio amplifier. EMG can be used to detect neuromuscular abnormalities and help monitor the progression of diseases that damage the nerves and muscles.
Another method for detecting muscle noise is by using sensors placed on the surface of the muscle. Karim Sabra and colleagues at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography measured muscle vibrations by placing 16 sensors along the thigh of a healthy male volunteer while attaching increasing loads to his ankle. This technique provides a non-invasive way to study muscle noise and its potential changes in various conditions.
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The tensor tympani muscle is attached to the malleus bone
The tensor tympani muscle is a muscle within the middle ear. It is located in the bony canal above the bony part of the auditory tube and connects to the malleus bone. The tensor tympani muscle originates rostrally and medially from the bony recess in the petrous portion of the temporal bone. It then makes its tendinous insertion onto the muscular process of the neck of the malleus. The tensor tympani muscle is one of the three auditory ossicles, along with the incus and the stapes. The malleus is the largest of these ossicles.
The tensor tympani muscle is attached to the manubrium of the malleus. This attachment allows the tensor tympani muscle to tighten the tympanic membrane, reducing its vibration amplitude and, consequently, reducing sound transmission into the inner ear. This tightening of the tympanic membrane also increases the tension on the auditory ossicle chain, resulting in an increased resonant frequency of the auditory sound conduction system.
The tensor tympani muscle plays an important role in the tympanic reflex, an evolutionary adaptation that protects the inner ear from excessively loud noises and aids in speech coordination. When the tensor tympani muscle contracts, it pulls the malleus medially, tensing the tympanic membrane and reducing the perceived amplitude of sounds. This contraction dampens the sound vibration that is allowed to penetrate the cochlea. The tensor tympani muscle is innervated by the trigeminal nerve, specifically the nerve to the medial pterygoid, which arises from the mandibular division.
Some individuals have voluntary control over the tensor tympani muscle and may tense it preemptively in response to the perception or anticipation of loud sounds. This phenomenon, known as tonic tensor tympani syndrome (TTTS), can be observed when an individual is shouting at an increased volume or yawning deeply, resulting in a rumbling sound in the ears.
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The tensor tympani muscle controls the tension of the eardrum
The tensor tympani muscle is located in the middle ear and is connected to the malleus bone, also known as the hammer bone. This muscle is responsible for controlling the tension of the eardrum, or tympanic membrane, by pulling the malleus bone inwards and tightening it. This action increases the tension on the eardrum, which results in a reduction of perceived sound amplitude. In other words, it dampens or muffles loud sounds, particularly those that are self-generated, such as chewing, shouting, or even thunder.
The tensor tympani muscle is unique in that it is one of the few muscles that we have some degree of voluntary control over. Most people can activate this muscle involuntarily through actions like yawning, swallowing, or facial movements. However, some individuals can voluntarily contract the tensor tympani muscle, producing a rumbling or roaring sound in their ears. This phenomenon has been observed in case studies and is considered extremely rare.
The protective function of the tensor tympani muscle is to safeguard the inner ear from potential damage caused by loud sounds. When exposed to loud noises, the tensor tympani contracts, pulling the malleus bone and tightening the eardrum, which dampens the sound vibration transmitted to the cochlea. This reflex is not fast enough to protect against sudden loud noises like explosions or gunshots, but it likely evolved to protect early humans from prolonged loud sounds like thunder.
While the tensor tympani muscle has a protective role, its dysfunction can lead to issues. Tonic tensor tympani syndrome (TTTS) has been observed during withdrawal from certain drugs, and abnormal contractions of the muscle may trigger neurogenic inflammation. Additionally, some individuals with hyperacusis experience tensor tympani contractions in response to thinking about loud sounds, resulting in symptoms like ear pain, a fluttering sensation, or a feeling of fullness in the ear.
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Frequently asked questions
Place your head, ear down, on the palm of your hand. This way, you may be able to hear the sound of the masseter muscle – a jaw muscle used in chewing.
Muscle noise could be used to monitor the progression of muscular diseases. The velocity of muscle vibrations depends on the local muscle stiffness. By measuring velocity variations, it is possible to build a comprehensive picture of the muscle's elastic properties under different conditions.
The tensor tympani is a muscle within the ear that some people can voluntarily control. Contracting this muscle produces vibrations and a rumbling sound.
Middle ear myoclonus (MEM) is a rare condition in which tinnitus (buzzing or ringing in the ears) is produced by repetitive and synchronized contractions of the tensor tympani and stapedius muscles.
The most common cause of tinnitus is extended exposure to loud sounds. Tinnitus can also be caused by a sudden, extremely loud sound, or as a side effect of certain drugs.
