- Dec 8, 2017
- 117
- Tinnitus Since
- 10 october 2017
- Cause of Tinnitus
- Probably a mix of ETD and TMJ
I have started to dig some more on the internet to try and figure out what's going on with my ears. I have had my suspicions about my jaw pressing my ears shut, but now I have found some actual information proving that this can indeed be the case. I have stopped using nasal spray again because I believe it to not be of any help, and actually increasing my sensitivity to noise and clogging my ears further and giving me several fleeting tinnitus attacks. I also think my tinnitus and mild hyperacusis stem from all these problems. I thought it might be useful to people who have similar symptoms to me. I will write down my symptoms so that people can read this when they recognize themselves in my problems.
My symptoms are:
Constant ear crackling, popping, and crinkling sound when I yawn and swallow but even popping when I relax sometimes.
TMJ disorder (painful jaw that doesn't open properly and clicks when I open it too far)
Feeling of clogged ears, as if they need to pop constantly.
Twitching jaw, muscle spasms.
Electronic television sounding tinnitus, a hiss with slight electric streams.
Tinnitus noise can be altered by changing neck position, or relaxing jaw.
Slight spasm in ears when loud sounds are about to come (gives this kind of bloodflow rush sensation in the ears) accompanied by slight jaw/ear pain/sensation.
Sensitivity to noise and especially high pitched sounds over 85 dB.
Random ear fluttering/ thumping. muscle spasm (Iwould say it feels like your ear drum vibrates, almost like its struggling to stay open/ popped)
Tearing eyes / sensitive eyes feeling a sensation behind the eyes.
Nasal sprays seem to have no effect whatsoever.
If anyone is reading this who recognizes themselves in most symptoms and has no idea whats going on. I suggest you read the info I have found about all of this. I think it can be quite useful, because I feel a lot more secure knowing what's wrong with me now!
''That is how I like to describe patients with TMD problems, they have been KLUNKED. The jaw acts as a counter balance for the head over the spine, improper head posture changes this balance and now all of the muscles of the back and spine must work overtime leading to neck, shoulder and back pain. The tensor palatini muscle that closes off the nose when we swallow is also responsible for opening and closing our Eustachian tubes. Problems swallowing create not just breathing and sleep problems but also postural distortions and ears symptoms such as pressure or water in the ear. The tensor tympani is embryologically part of a jaw muscle called the medial pterygoid muscle; they share a nerve supply and the effect on the ear drum can cause tinnitus and the numerous ear noises
Medial and Lateral Pterygoids – are both well hidden by the lower jaw bone. The medial pterygoid muscle causes pain in the temporomandibular joint and the ear, which increases when you bite down on something. It can also refer pain to the back of the mouth, hard palate, and tongue, and can make it hurt to swallow. Tightness in this muscle can make it difficult to open the mouth wide. Moreover, a sense of stuffiness in the ear can come from a tight medial pterygoid when it prevents the Eustachian tube (in the middle ear) from opening.
It's often difficult to understand how such symptoms as ringing or buzzing in the ears, earaches, altered hearing, or even vertigo (dizziness) can be connected to a muscle-spasm problem originating with the teeth. The connection is a small muscle called the tensor veli palatini. A SMALL MUSCLE The Tensor veli palatini has a number of functions, including involvement in the closing of the eustachian tubes. This tube connects the throat to the middle ear and keeps the air pressure in the middle ear the same as that of the outside atmosphere. Normally this happens without our knowing it, but in certain cases, such as flying in an airplane, this change is noticeable. The Tensor veli palatini is supplied with nerve signals from a branch of the same nerve that supplies the external pterygoid muscle. When the Lateral pterygoids are in spasm, the Tensor veli palatini also can go into spasm because the nerve stimuli go to both muscles. When this tiny muscle goes into spasm, it closes off the eustachian tube and produces symptoms that mimic middle-ear problems. A patient may see a physician about changes in hearing, earaches, buzzing, ringing, or dizziness. The patient may have no signs of infection or a cold, and when the problem is not resolved in a short time, allergies are often suspected.
Temporomandibular disorders are associated with symptoms such as tinnitus, vertigo, sensation of hearing loss, ear fullness and otalgia. The connection and dysfunction of the tensor tympani and tensor veli palatini muscles seem to be associated with the aforementioned symptoms. We seek to demonstrate and explain this connection through the morphometry of these structures
There are four muscles associated with the function of the Eustachian tube: Levator veli palatini (innervated by the vagus nerve) Salpingopharyngeus (innervated by the vagus nerve) Tensor tympani (innervated by the mandibular nerve of CN V) Tensor veli palatini (innervated by the mandibular nerve of CN V)
In addition, dysfunction of the pharyngeal musculature including the tensor veli palatini muscle which controls the medial opening of the ET within the nasopharynx and the tensor tympani muscle related to tympanic membrane function is another possible cause of ETD and tinnitus.
Tensor tympani muscle and the stapedial muscle contract to tighten the middle ear bones (the ossicles) as a reaction to loud, potentially damaging sound. This provides protection to the inner ear from these loud sounds. In many people with hyperacusis, an increased activity develops in the tensor tympani muscle in the middle ear as part of the startle response to some sounds. This lowered reflex threshold for tensor tympani contraction is activated by the perception/anticipation of loud sound, and is called tonic tensor tympani syndrome (TTTS).''
I have not really found out how to treat these problems, but knowing whats wrong is a good first start!
My symptoms are:
Constant ear crackling, popping, and crinkling sound when I yawn and swallow but even popping when I relax sometimes.
TMJ disorder (painful jaw that doesn't open properly and clicks when I open it too far)
Feeling of clogged ears, as if they need to pop constantly.
Twitching jaw, muscle spasms.
Electronic television sounding tinnitus, a hiss with slight electric streams.
Tinnitus noise can be altered by changing neck position, or relaxing jaw.
Slight spasm in ears when loud sounds are about to come (gives this kind of bloodflow rush sensation in the ears) accompanied by slight jaw/ear pain/sensation.
Sensitivity to noise and especially high pitched sounds over 85 dB.
Random ear fluttering/ thumping. muscle spasm (Iwould say it feels like your ear drum vibrates, almost like its struggling to stay open/ popped)
Tearing eyes / sensitive eyes feeling a sensation behind the eyes.
Nasal sprays seem to have no effect whatsoever.
If anyone is reading this who recognizes themselves in most symptoms and has no idea whats going on. I suggest you read the info I have found about all of this. I think it can be quite useful, because I feel a lot more secure knowing what's wrong with me now!
''That is how I like to describe patients with TMD problems, they have been KLUNKED. The jaw acts as a counter balance for the head over the spine, improper head posture changes this balance and now all of the muscles of the back and spine must work overtime leading to neck, shoulder and back pain. The tensor palatini muscle that closes off the nose when we swallow is also responsible for opening and closing our Eustachian tubes. Problems swallowing create not just breathing and sleep problems but also postural distortions and ears symptoms such as pressure or water in the ear. The tensor tympani is embryologically part of a jaw muscle called the medial pterygoid muscle; they share a nerve supply and the effect on the ear drum can cause tinnitus and the numerous ear noises
Medial and Lateral Pterygoids – are both well hidden by the lower jaw bone. The medial pterygoid muscle causes pain in the temporomandibular joint and the ear, which increases when you bite down on something. It can also refer pain to the back of the mouth, hard palate, and tongue, and can make it hurt to swallow. Tightness in this muscle can make it difficult to open the mouth wide. Moreover, a sense of stuffiness in the ear can come from a tight medial pterygoid when it prevents the Eustachian tube (in the middle ear) from opening.
It's often difficult to understand how such symptoms as ringing or buzzing in the ears, earaches, altered hearing, or even vertigo (dizziness) can be connected to a muscle-spasm problem originating with the teeth. The connection is a small muscle called the tensor veli palatini. A SMALL MUSCLE The Tensor veli palatini has a number of functions, including involvement in the closing of the eustachian tubes. This tube connects the throat to the middle ear and keeps the air pressure in the middle ear the same as that of the outside atmosphere. Normally this happens without our knowing it, but in certain cases, such as flying in an airplane, this change is noticeable. The Tensor veli palatini is supplied with nerve signals from a branch of the same nerve that supplies the external pterygoid muscle. When the Lateral pterygoids are in spasm, the Tensor veli palatini also can go into spasm because the nerve stimuli go to both muscles. When this tiny muscle goes into spasm, it closes off the eustachian tube and produces symptoms that mimic middle-ear problems. A patient may see a physician about changes in hearing, earaches, buzzing, ringing, or dizziness. The patient may have no signs of infection or a cold, and when the problem is not resolved in a short time, allergies are often suspected.
Temporomandibular disorders are associated with symptoms such as tinnitus, vertigo, sensation of hearing loss, ear fullness and otalgia. The connection and dysfunction of the tensor tympani and tensor veli palatini muscles seem to be associated with the aforementioned symptoms. We seek to demonstrate and explain this connection through the morphometry of these structures
There are four muscles associated with the function of the Eustachian tube: Levator veli palatini (innervated by the vagus nerve) Salpingopharyngeus (innervated by the vagus nerve) Tensor tympani (innervated by the mandibular nerve of CN V) Tensor veli palatini (innervated by the mandibular nerve of CN V)
In addition, dysfunction of the pharyngeal musculature including the tensor veli palatini muscle which controls the medial opening of the ET within the nasopharynx and the tensor tympani muscle related to tympanic membrane function is another possible cause of ETD and tinnitus.
Tensor tympani muscle and the stapedial muscle contract to tighten the middle ear bones (the ossicles) as a reaction to loud, potentially damaging sound. This provides protection to the inner ear from these loud sounds. In many people with hyperacusis, an increased activity develops in the tensor tympani muscle in the middle ear as part of the startle response to some sounds. This lowered reflex threshold for tensor tympani contraction is activated by the perception/anticipation of loud sound, and is called tonic tensor tympani syndrome (TTTS).''
I have not really found out how to treat these problems, but knowing whats wrong is a good first start!
Though I'm getting back on track again.
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