Fullness in Ear/Jaw Problems

[astaff14]

At about 3 weeks living with tinnitus now, and it still keeps changing. Cicada noises, soft ringing, loud-ish ringing, hissing.. etc. Seems to depend on levels of stress/what I've eaten/tiredness etc.

A couple days ago I yawned widely which caused the left side of my jaw to crack loudly and created some immediate pain as well as fullness in my ear. My jaw also clicks on the right side if I move it side to side, and I have a crossbite. Ever since I cracked my jaw that caused pain, it now cracks every time I open my mouth wide enough which leads me to think I really damaged something/worsened any tmj dysfunction I may have had.

Has anyone else experienced muffled ears after jaw issues?

My ears also tend to get slightly muffled/full feeling after I hear loud noises or if I have been out and about at work or school or whatever. Is that an indication of hearing loss does anyone know? Can moderate noises even influence hearing loss??

I need to see an ENT I am sure but unfortunately health insurance isn't the best/it's been difficult trying to get a referral to a decent place.

 

[glynis]

I would see your dentist to see if a mouth guard will help your TMJ.
Love glynis

 

[Stephanie72]

@astaff14

Any relief/changes? I'm about 3 weeks in right now with the exact same issue as you. I mean exactly the same. Had a terrible ENT visit who told me to buy a fan and live with it. Went back to GP who prescribed prednisone which I'm in the middle of the 6 day dose. T seems a bit more quite actually but lots of pressure and fullness after the jaw popping.

 

[astaff14]

@Stephanie72
Sorry to hear you have the same issue, it's sooo annoying! ENT's are the worst from what I've heard. Any relief from the prednisone?
Since this post, I actually damaged my hearing by going to a movie with unbearably loud previews (140+ db) which made the fullness and pressure worse overall, though it did lessen somewhat; but since the incident I've essentially gotten used to it at this point. I have also refrained from yawning really widely, cracking my jaw etc and I think that has helped. How's it for you now?

 

[Stephanie72]

@astaff14

I'm so sorry! I actually bought some professional musicians earplugs from amazon for this. You might want to look into that.

I ended up doing 2 rounds of prednisone. I felt like it helped somewhat, but the fullness is still there. It's as bothersome as the t. My jaw is really hurting as well. I have an appt with a different ENT next Wed. My GP called him and discussed my case and he actually made the recommendation for the prednisone. I think all of this is tmj related for me. I'm hoping to get a referral from the ENT for some X-rays so we can see what's going on. I need a referral for a dentist that actually understands tmj to see if I need a mouthguard or splints. Ugh. Of course none of that is covered by insurance. Part of the problem is I yawn to pop my left ear to relieve the pressure and it ends up making my jaw even more sore. Let me know how things are going and if you made it to a doc/dentist.

 

[1000]

@astaff14
@Stephanie72

Any improvements?