My Journey to Silence

[Bob den Hartog]

Probably shouldn't admit this, but the first time it happened I Googled to see if it was possible to swallow it in your sleep, as I was sure this was what happened

Thinking about it, the week I wore it every night was quite a quiet week for me. Maybe there is a little something to it.

I'm thinking of seeing a specialist TMJ/Tinnitus dentist in my area soon. I'll let you know how I get on.

Sounds like reason enough to start wearing that splint again at night! And probably also during the day, if you keep having the habit of taking it out at night. I'm having the splint in right now, because I know I have the automatic, subconscious habit of having my back teeth touch, which I'm seldom aware of. Wearing that splint trains me in not doing that. If you train your jaws enough, they might stop doing it at night as well.

Having my splint in for just an hour, and it already feels weird to have my back teeth touch when I take it out. All of a sudden I notice I have to force my lower jaw a bit to the back, in order for them to 'fit'.

 

[Bob den Hartog]

By the way, if I sleep in a certain position, on my belly with my head to the left, it aggravates my T, so I've stopped doing this. Is this another sign my T could be TMJ related?

I know it started with acoustic trauma, but my doctor then noticed a LOT of earwax and syringed it. That evening, I had silence for a while, only for it to return a few days later - more annoying than before. From then in I started noticing the crunching ear sounds when swallowing, and a 'full' ear feeling after running, which I did not have when I ran before the syringing.

Could all this point to inflammation related worsening?

 

[Lane]

so just keep on trying to reduce as much tightness and pressure around your jaw you can.

@Kara77 -- Have you found some techniques that work especially well for you? -- Thanks!

 

[Kara77]

@Lane
Sorry for the late response!

Make sure your jaw is completely relaxed, back teeth not touching at all. Keep your shoulders relaxed, reduce any anxiety you may have. Easier said than done, I know! Anxiety =Pressure = Tinnitus. If you can see a neuromuscular massage therapist, that was the holy grail for me.