Tinnitus and TMJ

Tinnitus is the perception of ringing, buzzing, hissing, or humming in the ears when no external sound is present. It can be constant or come and go, and it’s often more noticeable in quiet moments. While tinnitus has many possible causes, a surprising number of people don’t realize their jaw may be part of the picture.

The temporomandibular joint sits remarkably close to the ear canal, and the muscles and nerves of the jaw share intimate connections with the structures of the ear. When those jaw muscles are chronically tight or the joint is strained, that tension can influence the ear and contribute to or worsen ringing. This is sometimes called “somatic” or TMJ-related tinnitus, and a telltale sign is that the sound changes when you move, clench, or press on your jaw.

Because this type of tinnitus is driven by muscle tension rather than the ear itself, it often responds well to bodywork. Gently releasing the muscles around the joint, the temples, and the upper neck can reduce the strain being referred toward the ear, and calming the nervous system helps quiet the overall sense of alarm that makes ringing feel louder. Our TMJ-focused massage and SomaFace techniques in Parkville aim to relieve that underlying tension.

Tinnitus is something to take seriously, and it’s important to rule out other causes. If your ringing is new, one-sided, or accompanied by hearing loss or dizziness, please see a physician or audiologist for evaluation. Massage works best as part of a fuller picture, especially when the jaw is clearly involved.