The term “tinnitus” describes a phantom sound in the ear that has no external source. It can present in many ways, including ringing, roaring, whistling, hissing, humming, buzzing, popping or clicking.
Another condition that can cause sounds like these is temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, which is why the two conditions are sometimes confused.
In this post, we review how to tell the difference between tinnitus and TMJ disorder.
How Can I Tell the Difference Between Tinnitus & TMJ Disorder?
For those experiencing tinnitus, they may have other audiological problems as well, like hearing loss and dizziness or vertigo. The reason it’s common for all of these conditions to go hand-in-hand is because they all have to do with the inner ear. It’s also worth noting that almost all cases of tinnitus are subjective, meaning the sounds can only be heard by the person experiencing it.
For those experiencing TMJ disorder, they’ll experience other problems with their jaw, like pain and stiffness. They may only be able to open their mouth to a certain point before it locks up. Also, clicking and popping sounds caused by TMJ disorder can oftentimes be heard by others.
What If I Experience Both Conditions?
Unfortunately, it is possible for you to experience both tinnitus and TMJ disorder at the same time and exhibit symptoms of both conditions.
A 2019 study reports, “We hypothesize that stress could contribute to the co-occurrence of TMJ problems and tinnitus and also to the development of severe tinnitus.”
If this is the case, you’ll need to see both an audiologist to manage your tinnitus and a dentist to manage your TMJ disorder.
How Can I Seek Treatment?
Here we review how to seek treatment for tinnitus and TMJ disorder:
Management for Tinnitus
Unless the underlying cause of your tinnitus can be identified and addressed, there is no cure for tinnitus. Fortunately, there are ways to manage it, including:
- Hearing aids
- Tinnitus maskers
- White noise machines
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Tinnitus-retraining therapy
- Classes at Courage to BE Yoga Studio on Swallowtail Circle to destress and unwind
Treatment for TMJ Disorder
TMJ disorder has many treatment options, such as:
- Soft food diet
- Physical therapy
- Mouth guards or splints
- Medications
- Corticosteroid injections
- Surgery
To learn more or to schedule an appointment with a tinnitus expert, call South Valley Ear Nose & Throat – West Jordan today.