Approximately 25 million adults in America suffer from tinnitus, a condition characterized by a ringing, buzzing, humming or other sound in the ear that cannot be heard by anyone else. Everyone experiences tinnitus differently, and as a result, experts have categorized tinnitus into several subtypes. One such subtype is somatic tinnitus, also called somatosensory tinnitus.
What Is Somatic Tinnitus?
Somatic tinnitus is tinnitus that is triggered by or connected to movement and body position. If tinnitus sounds appear, change pitch, get louder or worsen whenever you move your body in a certain way or touch specific points on your body, that’s somatic tinnitus. The common pressure points for somatic tinnitus are in the head, neck or jaw, and in the limbs and fingers less commonly. Moving your eyes, rotating your neck or head, working your jaw or touching your face may all trigger somatic tinnitus.
What Causes Somatic Tinnitus?
Tinnitus—and that includes all subtypes of tinnitus, like somatic tinnitus—is not a condition in and of itself. It is a symptom of another health condition. In the case of somatic tinnitus, the underlying health condition that causes tinnitus symptoms could include:
- Head trauma or injury
- Neck trauma or injury
- Whiplash
- Muscle tension in the jaw, neck or head
- Muscle spasms in the neck
- Dental disorders
- Jaw disorders
- Complications from surgery (especially dental, neck or somewhere close)
How Can I Find Relief from Somatic Tinnitus?
There is, unfortunately, no known cure for tinnitus. However, there are treatments and therapies available that our expert staff can guide you through to decrease the daily burden of tinnitus. Call South Valley Ear Nose & Throat – West Jordan today to learn more about these offerings and make an appointment.