Ear Muscle We Thought Humans Didn’t Use Actually Activates When People Listen Hard

[RingerBell]

Ear muscle we thought humans didn't use — except for wiggling our ears — actually activates when people listen hard
To test whether humans still use auricular muscles — which once helped move our primate ancestors' ears to funnel sound — scientists attached electrodes to the sides of people's heads, and asked them to listen closely to an audiobook. Different challenge modes were imposed, with the sound coming from different angles, and other competing sounds. The scientists found that, the more difficult it was for participants to hear the audiobook, the more the superior auricular muscles activated, as if participants were trying to prick up their ears like a dog or cat. When sounds came from behind a participant, the posterior auricular muscles contracted as if attempting to point the ears in that direction.

(Source)

This could be a contributing factor to headaches, ear pain, and jaw pain for someone who has recently acquired tinnitus or hyperacusis. Constantly trying to listen and monitor tinnitus sounds or surroundings likely causes strain and tightness in these muscles as they become overworked. This can also be an issue for people with hearing loss.

 

[MrRing]

That would explain why my ears felt off during the first month. I can "rumble" my ears, and I think I use that same muscle to pop or click them, though it is probably not the same muscle.

Some days I would have sharp pain, aching, and other discomfort. I just assumed it was from clenching my jaw in my sleep, which was never an issue before tinnitus started. But with the anxiety and waking up with my jaw clenched, it made sense.

I have not had any aching since I got used to it. Maybe it is because I am not constantly monitoring it.

Interesting post.