Bad Somatic Tinnitus Spike from Jaw Modulations

[JohnAdams]

I just got about an hour's worth of a horrendous spike at a frequency I've never had from squeezing my jaw muscles. It happened in my left ear, immediately after I release the pressure. It was extremely loud and distressing. I thought at first it was going to be fleeting for just a few seconds, but after about 1 minute I started to get a little concerned. It is now going back down.

Has this happened to anyone else?

 

[Striveon]

I just got about an hour's worth of a horrendous spike at a frequency I've never had from squeezing my jaw muscles. It happened in my left ear, immediately after I release the pressure. It was extremely loud and distressing. I thought at first it was going to be fleeting for just a few seconds, but after about 1 minute I started to get a little concerned. It is now going back down.

Has this happened to anyone else?

It has happened to me...

 

[pinklights98]

This happened to me one morning. I moved my neck as I was laying down and suddenly got a horrible spike at an extremely high frequency that I'd never experienced. It also took about an hour to subside.

 

[Ruse]

Yes.

Although I had it from sleeping in a weird position (on my neck). I also had accompanying ear fullness for about 2 hours.

Feck knows what was going on.

 

[Nathan]

My left ear screams whenever I squeeze my jaw back. It immediately goes back to normal, but it can be heard over everything.

 

[pewpew]

My left ear screams whenever I squeeze my jaw back. It immediately goes back to normal, but it can be heard over everything.

I got pretty much the same thing but in my right ear instead.

 

[jeas]

Yes... happens multiple times a day with jaw and neck movements.

 

[JohnAdams]

My left ear screams whenever I squeeze my jaw back. It immediately goes back to normal, but it can be heard over everything.

Yes that's normal for me as well I just never had an hour long fleeting spike like that.

 

[Ruse]

My left ear screams whenever I squeeze my jaw back. It immediately goes back to normal, but it can be heard over everything.

Certain angles of jaw hurting for me will increase tones and others will make them disappear entirely.

Bizarre.

 

[HeavyMantra]

Yes.

Although I had it from sleeping in a weird position (on my neck). I also had accompanying ear fullness for about 2 hours.

Feck knows what was going on.

Someone in my family had tinnitus, hyperacusis and possibly ear fullness from jaw problems. 100 percent recovery after working on the jaw tension.

I thought hyperacusis was mainly from noise induced tinnitus but apparently it's possible to get from physical problems with the auditory nerve as well

 

[HeavyMantra]

Yes that's normal for me as well I just never had an hour long fleeting spike like that.

I had a 2 hour fleeting T experience out of nowhere, terrifying..

 

[Ruse]

Certain angles of jaw hurting for me will increase tones and others will make them disappear entirely.

Bizarre.

Jaw jutting*

 

[GoatSheep]

Someone in my family had tinnitus, hyperacusis and possibly ear fullness from jaw problems. 100 percent recovery after working on the jaw tension.

I thought hyperacusis was mainly from noise induced tinnitus but apparently it's possible to get from physical problems with the auditory nerve as well

What type of hyperacusis? Loudness, pain?

 

[HeavyMantra]

What type of hyperacusis? Loudness, pain?

He described it as loudness hyperacusis, and that "sounds were sucked into his ears in a very unpleasant way"

 

[linearb]

this used to happen to me a lot before I started sleeping with a bite repositioning splint.

jumping in a hot shower immediately seems to somewhat improve the recovery time.

i have no explanation for this but always had a paranoia that this was the result of blood vessels being compressed and causing little ischemic events

 

[JohnAdams]

this used to happen to me a lot before I started sleeping with a bite repositioning splint.

jumping in a hot shower immediately seems to somewhat improve the recovery time.

i have no explanation for this but always had a paranoia that this was the result of blood vessels being compressed and causing little ischemic events

I probably need a split like that, as does the wife.

 

[linearb]

I probably need a split like that, as does the wife.

It was $1700 and I literally only have it because a company I was at got acquired which pushed me into a 30-day use-it-or-lose-it on $2000 of pre-tax medical FSA dollars (that I had been planning on having access to for my pregnant wife's medical care...)

It's neat and all but -- I remember reading that some kid used a 3d scanner and 3d printer to make such a thing, there is no reason that a clinical grade one needs to cost more than a couple hundred bucks tops.

I got my first TMJ splint in Buffalo in 2008 for $400 which seemed steep at the time but the quotes I've gotten since then ranged $1700 to $6000.

 

[Bill Bauer]

Has this happened to anyone else?

I remember watching a clip on YouTube where a tinnitus researcher said that he gave permanent tinnitus to himself (albeit quiet tinnitus) by manipulating his jaw.

It isn't a safe thing to do.

 

[JohnAdams]

I remember watching a clip on YouTube where a tinnitus researcher said that he gave permanent tinnitus to himself (albeit quiet tinnitus) by manipulating his jaw.

It isn't a safe thing to do.

Then wouldnt that be damage to the auditory nerve axon or the DCN?

 

[Nicjane]

I remember watching a clip on YouTube where a tinnitus researcher said that he gave permanent tinnitus to himself (albeit quiet tinnitus) by manipulating his jaw.

It isn't a safe thing to do.

Hi Bill,

Do you have the link to this video? I opened my mouth and jutted my jaw forward 3 days ago and have had an unbearable spike ever since. I'm worried I gave done some sort of permanent damage.

 

[Bill Bauer]

Do you have the link to this video? I opened my mouth and jutted my jaw forward 3 days ago and have had an unbearable spike ever since. I'm worried I gave done some sort of permanent damage.

Unfortunately I had had trouble finding that link back in 2019 when I made that post.

Most spikes fade, so unless after about 6 weeks it doesn't begin fading, it makes sense to not worry about it.

 

[Forever hopeful]

I know this is an old thread. I have somatic tinnitus and am in a raging spike.

History:
I have had tinnitus for various reasons on and off x 6 years, much of which has improved appreciably or even resolved. Yes, I'm one of those people who actually had their bilateral tinnitus from noise trauma completely resolve after two years. Unfortunately, three years later, in April of 2020, I had some mild hearing loss in my left ear and the tinnitus came back in that ear. Long story short but I ended up habituating pretty quickly and then experienced more hearing loss in that ear early this year with worsening tinnitus, which was ultimately corrected with high doses of steroids. Knock on wood that tinnitus has resolved. For now anyway.

Present:
Bilateral high-pitched whine. Although it's bilateral, I experience it mostly in my right ear. Started last year about a month after I first had hearing loss in my left ear - no hearing loss in right ear. It went away last fall for about six months, and then came back in March, 2021 about a month after I again had more hearing loss in the left ear. This tinnitus is very high-pitched and cannot be masked by anything. It has always fluctuated and I can modulate it with my jaw or pulling on my earlobes- making it louder. When I had tinnitus related to my hearing loss nothing I did affected it, so it clearly has a somatic component.

The last three days I've been having a horrible spike in my right ear. I can't figure out what's going on. However, I have very sore, painful jaws. For years I used Invisalign and you could tell that I was clenching and chewing them up at night. I also had a crown put on February 2020 - left side - and after that everything just seemed to go to heck. They have adjusted the tooth several times and did a root canal through the tooth but I still have pain in it and I'm convinced my bite is still off slightly. Anyway, ENT thinks this presentation of tinnitus is related more to TMJ and potentially allergies since the last two years it's coincided with allergy season. He suspects that after my first recurrence of tinnitus, I became highly stressed and started clenching again at night. Coincidentally, after the last bout of hearing loss, this presentation returned again supporting his theory that again, I became stressed and am clenching at night. I'm using heating pad on my jaw. Taking my nasal sprays and decongestants. No change.

Does anyone have any experience with splints? Has anyone read of anyone on this site having improvement in their tinnitus as a result of using a splint?

@linearb, any improvement for you with the splint?

Sorry to be so long-winded. I just wanted to give some context.

 

[Psych]

I know this is an old thread. I have somatic tinnitus and am in a raging spike.

History:
I have had tinnitus for various reasons on and off x 6 years, much of which has improved appreciably or even resolved. Yes, I'm one of those people who actually had their bilateral tinnitus from noise trauma completely resolve after two years. Unfortunately, three years later, in April of 2020, I had some mild hearing loss in my left ear and the tinnitus came back in that ear. Long story short but I ended up habituating pretty quickly and then experienced more hearing loss in that ear early this year with worsening tinnitus, which was ultimately corrected with high doses of steroids. Knock on wood that tinnitus has resolved. For now anyway.

Present:
Bilateral high-pitched whine. Although it's bilateral, I experience it mostly in my right ear. Started last year about a month after I first had hearing loss in my left ear - no hearing loss in right ear. It went away last fall for about six months, and then came back in March, 2021 about a month after I again had more hearing loss in the left ear. This tinnitus is very high-pitched and cannot be masked by anything. It has always fluctuated and I can modulate it with my jaw or pulling on my earlobes- making it louder. When I had tinnitus related to my hearing loss nothing I did affected it, so it clearly has a somatic component.

The last three days I've been having a horrible spike in my right ear. I can't figure out what's going on. However, I have very sore, painful jaws. For years I used Invisalign and you could tell that I was clenching and chewing them up at night. I also had a crown put on February 2020 - left side - and after that everything just seemed to go to heck. They have adjusted the tooth several times and did a root canal through the tooth but I still have pain in it and I'm convinced my bite is still off slightly. Anyway, ENT thinks this presentation of tinnitus is related more to TMJ and potentially allergies since the last two years it's coincided with allergy season. He suspects that after my first recurrence of tinnitus, I became highly stressed and started clenching again at night. Coincidentally, after the last bout of hearing loss, this presentation returned again supporting his theory that again, I became stressed and am clenching at night. I'm using heating pad on my jaw. Taking my nasal sprays and decongestants. No change.

Does anyone have any experience with splints? Has anyone read of anyone on this site having improvement in their tinnitus as a result of using a splint?

@linearb, any improvement for you with the splint?

Sorry to be so long-winded. I just wanted to give some context.

So sorry you're going through this. I just don't know what to say, because, as usual, I'm also having more stuff added to an already full plate. Because I've seen how this is seemingly going to go on, I've decided to first volunteer, then got a job at the volunteer place. I just hope I can work come Monday, my first day getting paid, with these new eventualities. I just wanted to let you know you're not alone in this $#@%!#% fight!

 

[Greg Sacramento]

@Forever hopeful, I may be off base with this, but from all you mention you may have a little bacteria getting under gums - right side.

Clenching can cause gums to recess under teeth that has been pressured. Then it easy to have bacteria to get under the gum line. All have mouth bacteria, but clenching can direct bacteria under receding gums or cause receding gums. A mouth appliance also needs to kept very clean, as bacteria from an appliance can complicate all mouth concerns. I now have advance gum disease with serious gum recession and bone loss from dental treatments gone wrong. I have noticed that if I pull on my earlobes my tinnitus will whine - from inflamed mouth tissues.

I don't have the answers about use of a splint, but using advanced Gum Restore by Crest may relax your gums (less clenching) before going to sleep, Very gentle brushing on teeth and gums with a very soft tooth brush may help.

 

[Jazzer]

@Forever hopeful, I may be off base with this, but from all you mention you may have a little bacteria getting under gums - right side.

Clenching can cause gums to recess under teeth that has been pressured. Then it easy to have bacteria to get under the gum line. All have mouth bacteria, but clenching can direct bacteria under receding gums or cause receding gums. A mouth appliance also needs to kept very clean, as bacteria from an appliance can complicate all mouth concerns. I now have advance gum disease with serious gum recession and bone loss from dental treatments gone wrong. I have noticed that if I pull on my earlobes my tinnitus will whine - from inflamed mouth tissues.

I don't have the answers about use of a splint, but using advanced Gum Restore by Crest may relax your gums (less clenching) before going to sleep, Very gentle brushing on teeth and gums with a very soft tooth brush may help.

Also:
'Become a soft mouth - jaw hanger.'

 

[Forever hopeful]

@Forever hopeful, I may be off base with this, but from all you mention you may have a little bacteria getting under gums - right side.

Clenching can cause gums to recess under teeth that has been pressured. Then it easy to have bacteria to get under the gum line. All have mouth bacteria, but clenching can direct bacteria under receding gums or cause receding gums. A mouth appliance also needs to kept very clean, as bacteria from an appliance can complicate all mouth concerns. I now have advance gum disease with serious gum recession and bone loss from dental treatments gone wrong. I have noticed that if I pull on my earlobes my tinnitus will whine - from inflamed mouth tissues.

I don't have the answers about use of a splint, but using advanced Gum Restore by Crest may relax your gums (less clenching) before going to sleep, Very gentle brushing on teeth and gums with a very soft tooth brush may help.

Thank you. All valid and interesting points. Interestingly my crown is on the upper left side and I experience the very loud tinnitus in my right ear.

 

[Greg Sacramento]

@Forever hopeful, one other thought to pass on, but?

Having had noise-induced tinnitus that went away and now having somatic tinnitus in one ear could mean that inflammation triggers jaw - TMJ alignment, neck, allergies or triggers from allergies, etc. Somatic tinnitus can be caused by muscle or joint (c spine - jaw disfunction).

One other common area that produces somatic tinnitus is the SCM (Sternocleidomastoid muscle) on one side. This would cause high-pitch somatic tinnitus in one ear - often from twisting neck. Inflammation from this can filter to many processes above the shoulders and make stuff happen easier. Such as TMJ, nasal, allergies, sore neck, stress and headaches, but somatic tinnitus may not be from any of these processes. Process triggers can be inflammation of a SCM. Many clench their teeth, have TMJ and allergies, but don't get tinnitus. Gum recession is caused from bacterial inflammation that is present in the mouth and not by SCMs.

The SCMs often have an on and off switch - meaning inflammation causing auditory nerve pressure (somatic tinnitus) can reduce or disappear for a few minutes to months until a SCM is twisted again.

 

[Forever hopeful]

@Forever hopeful, one other thought to pass on, but?

Having had noise-induced tinnitus that went away and now having somatic tinnitus in one ear could mean that inflammation triggers jaw - TMJ alignment, neck, allergies or triggers from allergies, etc. Somatic tinnitus can be caused by muscle or joint (c spine - jaw disfunction).

One other common area that produces somatic tinnitus is the SCM (Sternocleidomastoid muscle) on one side. This would cause high-pitch somatic tinnitus in one ear - often from twisting neck. Inflammation from this can filter to many processes above the shoulders and make stuff happen easier. Such as TMJ, nasal, allergies, sore neck, stress and headaches, but somatic tinnitus may not be from any of these processes. Process triggers can be inflammation of a SCM. Many clench their teeth, have TMJ and allergies, but don't get tinnitus. Gum recession is caused from bacterial inflammation that is present in the mouth and not by SCMs.

The SCMs often have an on and off switch - meaning inflammation causing auditory nerve pressure (somatic tinnitus) can reduce or disappear for a few minutes to months until a SCM is twisted again.

Hi there.

Always nice to hear from you and I always appreciate your thoughts and guidance. I think for me, it is a confluence of things. Interesting that you talk about the neck because I had forgotten about the neck involvement yet I recall you and I had some exchanges about it last year. My tinnitus is in fact in both ears but it is mostly expressed in the right ear and it's also the loudest in the right ear. I feel almost as though they take turns. One revs up and the other is quiet. Then they will take turns and switch, but mostly, the right ear is the worst, the loudest and the most constant of the two. The night before last, it was terribly loud. Terribly loud. Driving me crazy. I skipped dinner and hid away in my room.I slept for about 14 hours with the help of meds. Yesterday, it was quiet but then revved up this afternoon after my nap when I fell asleep in the chair. The right ear was blaring even though my neck was tilted to the left. Still ringing.

I'm trying everything I can think of to address my jaws. Heat twice daily. Mouth guards. Also taking allergy meds.

I'm not sure what to do about my neck. I am out of physical therapy benefit for my neck. I recall the bilateral high pitch reach one away last fall and then returned early this year. Someone on this site asked to what I attributed the resolution of it last fall. I wrote that I didn't really know, but I just remembered that I had stopped working in my bedroom where I was leaning over the computer with my neck forward and I had started working in the living room where I was sitting straighter and more upright. Then early this year, when I had a worsening of my unilateral tinnitus due to a shift in my hearing (now resolved), I was working back in my bedroom again hanging over the computer, and a month later, the bilateral high pitched screech started again. I'm no longer working in my bedroom but I can't figure out why I've having so many spikes this past week. And they are just awful. I'm supposed to be on vacation. I can't enjoy anything I can't even watch TV. On top of that I fell and sprained my ankle last night so I can't even go to the beach. Just sitting here with this high pitch squeal - Suicide ring.

 

[Greg Sacramento]

@Forever hopeful, with me, I know that my immune system is comprised, so it's easier to get inflammation and many kinds of infections.

For me with a weak immune system, my mouth, jaw including TMJ, SCM muscles/neck joints - ALL musculoskeletal, or tissues and nerves are more easy disturbed by inflammation and infections. I get dehydrated easily.

Allergies can cause tinnitus, which is a direct result of allergy-triggered inflammation of tiny blood vessels inside the ear. Allergies don't cause somatic tinnitus, but inflammation from allergies from mentions in paragraph above can make these things more easily inflamed causing somatosensory afferents.

I wonder if for you (quite common) fluid inflammation travel to the jaw from allergies and maybe travel to the SCMs / neck and more so if neck is comprised - is causing somatic afferents. With any new hearing loss, these fluids could be traveling by way of tiny nerves to ears.

When I was a little kid, I found a dead sand shark on the beach in Dennis Port, Cape Cod. I held it up proudly and had my sister take a picture. I then showed the picture to others and let then them think that I caught a shark.

 

[Forever hopeful]

@Forever hopeful, with me, I know that my immune system is comprised, so it's easier to get inflammation and many kinds of infections.

For me with a weak immune system, my mouth, jaw including TMJ, SCM muscles/neck joints - ALL musculoskeletal, or tissues and nerves are more easy disturbed by inflammation and infections. I get dehydrated easily.

Allergies can cause tinnitus, which is a direct result of allergy-triggered inflammation of tiny blood vessels inside the ear. Allergies don't cause somatic tinnitus, but inflammation from allergies from mentions in paragraph above can make these things more easily inflamed causing somatosensory afferents.

I wonder if for you (quite common) fluid inflammation travel to the jaw from allergies and maybe travel to the SCMs / neck and more so if neck is comprised - is causing somatic afferents. With any new hearing loss, these fluids could be traveling by way of tiny nerves to ears.

When I was a little kid, I found a dead sand shark on the beach in Dennis Port, Cape Cod. I held it up proudly and had my sister take a picture. I then showed the picture to others and let then them think that I caught a shark.

I am heading to the ENT next week to see if have any HF hearing loss. Meanwhile, I am trying to treat all issues I can. If not, I have to find a way to deal with it. I notice it is far quieter in the am and worsens as the day goes on.

By the way, I love the shark story. I have a summer home in Dennis. We have a boat
and the kids used to catch those sharks all
the time. Now you can actually catch real Great White! A juvenile Great White breached right in front of our boat!