Car Thumping Noise Causes Muscle Tension in Head and Neck

[John T]

Hi Everyone. Long time reader, but first time poster. I've been dealing with an issue for over 25 years where I have to wear earplugs in cars because the low frequency thumping noise causes extreme muscle tension in my head and neck. When the muscle tension sets in I feel miserable. I'm a relatively young (49) and healthy person otherwise. I'm at a point where I don't know what to do next so I was hoping the community has some ideas of what I can do next.

What are my symptoms?

• The following muscles get extremely tight. Temporalis (Temple and behind zygomatic arch), Pterygoids, subocciptal, trapezius, levator and others that I can't identify.
• Once the muscles become tight, I begin to feel miserable. Fatigued, zoned out, lazy, don't want to interact with people, brain fog, etc.
• I do have mild hyperacusis and tinnitus, but it's manageable and not my major complaint. I do get the tensor tympani flutter once in a while with a speaker phone.

What are my triggers?

• I drove home from college with the top off my car for 7 hours. I believe this is when the problems first started because of the wind buffering noises.
• Driving in a car without ear plugs. Although, even when I wear ear plugs I can still have issues, just not as bad. Some cars are worse than others. It seems to be cars with louder low frequency thumps are the worst. If I drive in a car without ear plugs I will be a complete mess.
• Heavy exercise can also trigger this.
• Stress/Anxiety can make this worse.

What have I tried?

• Physical therapy, acupuncture, chiropractor, many ENTs, Neuro Otologists, Audiologists, Neurologists, Trigeminal nerve block, Botox treatments, multiple TMJ specialists, psychiatrist, anti-anxiety meds, muscle relaxers, stretching, posture exercises, meditation.

What seems to help?

• Advil
• Meditation and anti-anxiety exercises
• Heat/Cold on temporalis and trapezius

I'm sure this will sound familiar to all of you, but all of the doctors say that my tests look fine and they have no idea what the problem is. Most of the time it feels like I'm more educated than them in regards to obscure issues like this. So the question is, what should I do next? I will obviously continue to do the things that make me feel better.

However, I've always had a theory that somehow my Tensor Tympani or Stapedius is to blame for this and possibly cutting them could solve the muscle tension problem. None of the doctors support this theory so I'm curious what you all think?

Does anyone think that the Tensor Tympani/Stapedius could be causing my muscle tension?

Thanks in advance for all of your responses.

 

[ShaunR]

Hi John,

I have very similar problem which I have also put down to TTTS.

I was exposed to a second of loud high frequency noise which triggered all my symptoms. This was one year ago now... Scary that you've had it for 25 years!

Since that day I've had tight muscles in my jaw, face, neck and temples. Most people blame nerve damage, however I'm not convinced it is.

Mine is also linked to anxiety and stress. If my anxiety is up, the symptoms of tension are a lot worse.

I also get burning which is also a TTTS symptom. Either due to the muscle always being in contraction or innervating local nerves.

I'm currently taking Lyrica which helps with the anxiety but the face and jaw symptoms are pretty much 24/7. This lowers my quality of life quite a lot.

- Hearing tests all check out fine
- I can hear up to 14 kHz in both ears so I have reasonable high frequency hearing
- MRI showed nothing

I've started music therapy which may or may not be helping. However I've heard positive things especially if it is TTTS type symptoms.

Next step is to see a neurologist but as this point I've pretty much lost faith in all doctors.

Personally I wouldn't have the muscles cut. Although it can work for some people, others report an increase in sensitivity.

Shaun.