Help with Symptoms — Ear Ache, Fluttering, Almost TMJ-Like Symptoms

[Aklara319]

I need some advice: I have constant tinnitus since a night-club about six months ago. I had some weird ear fluttering, without any other symptoms, for a month before the acoustic trauma (after a virus). I never had ear pain or jaw pain prior.

But my symptoms are strange and don't fit any pattern I've seen so far. I have no perceptible hyperacusis to sounds, but my left ear constantly aches and flutters. It was also the ear that spasmed before the acoustic trauma. My right ear doesn't normally hurt, but only does (and feels full) when I talk a lot, chew, or yawn. My ears spasm when I raise my eyebrows or smile. I almost have TMJ-like symptoms and my doctors think it is. I find that hard to believe, but am not quite sure what's going on.

Tinnitus is constant and stable, but lower in the morning.

Basically: (1) Fluttering/MEM spasm predating acoustic trauma, (2) Acoustic trauma starts regular tinnitus and pain, fluttering triggered by TMJ-like factors and not noise.

Has anyone had similar symptoms?

 

[Contrast]

I need some advice: I have constant tinnitus since a night-club about six months ago. I had some weird ear fluttering, without any other symptoms, for a month before the acoustic trauma (after a virus). I never had ear pain or jaw pain prior.

But my symptoms are strange and don't fit any pattern I've seen so far. I have no perceptible hyperacusis to sounds, but my left ear constantly aches and flutters. It was also the ear that spasmed before the acoustic trauma. My right ear doesn't normally hurt, but only does (and feels full) when I talk a lot, chew, or yawn. My ears spasm when I raise my eyebrows or smile. I almost have TMJ-like symptoms and my doctors think it is. I find that hard to believe, but am not quite sure what's going on.

Tinnitus is constant and stable, but lower in the morning.

Basically: (1) Fluttering/MEM spasm predating acoustic trauma, (2) Acoustic trauma starts regular tinnitus and pain, fluttering triggered by TMJ-like factors and not noise.

Has anyone had similar symptoms?

Yes I've had all of those, the hypothesis researchers seem to be bringing up is that after hearing damage the trigeminal nerve becomes irritated and ear muscles become tense. No one knows exactly what is going on however but do not be mislead into thinking this is a separate dental issue.

 

[Aklara319]

Thanks @Contrast . The dental hypothesis seems dumb. My only sticking point is that the spasming predates my acoustic trauma. It began about a week after I had a bad ear pressure issue on a flight. That may have compromised my ears ahead of the acoustic trauma?

Just odd (and I guess fortunate) not to have hyperacusis or TTTS pain in response to external noise, but pain and fullness after talking and chewing.

The middle ear is understudied with respect to tinnitus onset. For me to go from asymptomatic, to tonic middle ear muscle spasms, to subjective tinnitus in a span of two months—and all due to auditory insults—is not a coincidence. I wonder what it means for treatment modalities that stimulate the trigeminal nerve?

 

[Greg Sacramento]

A couple of simple explanation articles that don't discuss the full subject, but really not a whole lot more is needed. https://tmjhearingloss713.wordpress...-the-difference-between-tmj-and-hearing-loss/
https://www.verywellhealth.com/temporomandibular-joint-disorder-1046500

 

[Aklara319]

Thanks for the resources, @Greg Sacramento

 

[TWK]

Do you wear earplugs a lot? I used to get similar things well before I got tinnitus from using earplugs at night (snoring spouse) and in-ear phones. I totally stopped using these in-ear devices once I got tinnitus and the fluttering and thumping inside my ears completely quit. To me this signalled nerves and/or muscles inside the ear structure were irritated.

 

[OnceUponaTime]

Basically: (1) Fluttering

I had the flutters, thankfully they went away. Let your ears rest.

Once

 

[LilSass]

Hi @OnceUponaTime ! How and how long should you rest your ears if you have fluttering? Thx!

 

[OnceUponaTime]

Hi @OnceUponaTime ! How and how long should you rest your ears if you have fluttering? Thx!

Um, this was some years ago... the fluttering lasted a couple of months. I just stayed away from LOUD noises. I was home most of the time until it settled.

Now if I can only get rid of this loud drone in my head, I'd be happy. sigh.

Do you have fluttering in both ears?