Anyone else had tinnitus due to jaw issues?

[FeatherySquawkington]

Had it for just over two weeks now. Have been referred to ENT but that was before I knew for certain it was a jaw issue. Anyone had tinnitus because of it and did it go away?

I had this over 20 years ago and was diagnosed with TMJ Dysfunction by an Oral & Maxillofacial surgeon. Dentist also confirmed that my bite was not quite right despite having braces as a teenager, so I was given a dental mold (can’t recall exact name) to wear all the time for a year, and then only at night for about another 6 months. This was to correct the bite and this also greatly improved the Tinnitus. I seem to remember that the x-ray showed that the way my jaw hinge was formed was not helping.

I still have Tinnitus but rarely notice it. In the meantime contact a Tinnitus charity for tips on how to manage the condition, things like white noise when going to bed or other quiet situations etc. I found practising deep breathing and focussing on it really helped bring my panic/distress down, and subsequently the noise perception reduced.

I’m waiting for an audiology appointment to check the tinnitus. I also probably have TMJ/D and I’m a tooth grinder. Yay me!!
My tinnitus isn’t horrific though and more on one side than the other (hence the referral as it’s uneven). However the TMJ is on the other side to the worse tinnitus side. Although I saw an osteopath recently and she said the jaw was really tight on that side, so am guessing it’s somehow all connected.
I don’t think it helps that I had 2 quite bad ear infections over the last couple of years.
Everything I have read about chronic pain (from the jaw) and dealing with tinnitus is centred (as the pp above said) on living with it - coping mechanisms rather than cures. So distractions, CBT, Mindfulness and, as much as possible, getting on with life.

Mine is more on one side too hence the referral. I've got to admit, I'm struggling. I like quiet and am quite noise sensitive - I like it to be quiet, especially at night. The thought that I'm going to be hearing this horrible noise for life is very distressing to me now. I've been hopeful that it might go eventually but every day that passes I'm beginning to think that won't happen and I need to accept it. Right now I'm struggling to do that.

OP it might not be a lifelong condition, everybody is different. I was so distressed when I was diagnosed and then an ENT consultant told me “go home and learn to live with it.” I was furious and back in the late 90s there was very little info available at the library, and nothing much online back then.

I soon learnt though that the more you learn to live with it the less you will notice/hear it. You need to do research on techniques to help you with distraction and coping etc and a Tinnitus charity is a good starting point. I’m sure I’ve seen gadgets like a hearing aid that emits white noise but I can’t be sure.

Sometimes it’s said to avoid caffeine as it’s a stimulant.

My 5yo has just been diagnosed with it and the Audiologist’s advice was do not make a fuss or talk about it in front of him; if he mentions it try and distract him, and download white noise Apps to play at night if it bothers him at bedtime (it doesn’t so far). She said it’s very important to find the type of white noise that you like - could be running water or birds chirping etc, just make sure you like the sounds. Basic advice that adults can try too.

At night if you find yourself distressed by it try the white noise and deep breathing and concentrate on your body doing this. This used to often make me fall asleep.

Good luck and keep looking for techniques and gadgets that can help you.