It is not surprising that you would correctly guess something might be wrong with your jaw if you are experiencing symptoms like pain or swelling in the jaw, popping noises when you chew or yawn, or locking occasionally. These are all telltale signs of TMJ disorder.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you must seek a TMJ specialist as soon as possible.
Exposure to overly loud noise or getting older is two common factors that might lead to hearing loss. The tensor palatini muscle (a broad, thin, ribbon-like muscle in the head that tenses the soft palate) pulls on the eardrum to shield it from all noises.
You might not be aware that if you have issues with your jaw, it might also damage your hearing. The joint that joins your jawbone to your skull is placed extremely close to your ears, despite the fact that you may not relate your jaws with your ability to hear. Pain in the jaw joints, trouble eating, and locking of the joints are all symptoms that can be caused by the TMJ condition. In certain instances, TMJ problems can result in hearing loss.
Because TMJ dysfunction is not an obvious cause of hearing loss, many people deal with this issue without understanding the cause until a specialist tells them. Please keep reading to learn more about temporomandibular joint dysfunction and its relationship to hearing loss.
TMD Signs and Symptoms
Most of the time, discomfort and acute pain on one or both sides of the face are the first obvious indicators of a problem with the body. The discomfort is typically triggered when the mouth is opened widely, such as when speaking, chewing, yawning, or performing any number of other duties. It is also typical to get the sensation that your jaw is stuck or locked in either the open or closed-mouth position.
It is also common to get the sensation that your jaw is stuck or locked in either the open or closed-mouth position. It’s possible that hearing the sounds won’t always be painful, but there are occasions when soreness and pain can be felt in the neck and shoulders, up into the area of the jaw joint, around the facial muscles, and in or around the ear. Another common symptom is restricted mouth opening.
Hearing loss caused by TMJ disorder may include the following symptoms:
- Hearing is muffled/decreased
- Ear ringing (tinnitus)
- Pain in the ear
- Ear fullness
- If your jaw moves, you may hear a clicking or popping sound
- Facial Pain
You may most likely also experience additional symptoms, such as discomfort in the jaw, headaches, difficulty chewing, face pain, disorientation, and pain or stiffness in the neck or shoulders.
The severity of your TMJ condition may determine the degree to which you have lost your hearing. According to the findings of one study, individuals who exhibited the greatest symptoms, such as jaw stiffness, were more likely to have issues with their hearing.
TMJ Disorder-related Hearing Loss Symptoms
A dysfunction in the jaw can impact your hearing since the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is located adjacent to the middle ear. It is possible that pressure or inflammation caused by the TMJ can have an effect on the nerves and muscles in the area, which can then lead to a blockage of the eustachian tubes.
The inability of the eustachian tubes to drain fluid from the middle ear might result in tinnitus or hearing difficulties.
How TMJ Affects Ear Issues
Some patients have ear pain, tinnitus, and even hearing loss as a result of problems with their temporomandibular joints (TMJ). The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is found close to your ear and serves as the connection between your skull and lower jaw. Due to the position of the TMJ, problems with it might cause discomfort not only in your jaw but also in the areas immediately surrounding it, including in your ears. In addition, there is a link between the degree of mouth opening and the frequency of aural symptoms, and TMD severity.
According to a study, the presence of structures connecting the middle ear to the temporomandibular joint and the shared innervation of the masticatory muscles explains why 85% of TMD patients experience aural symptoms.
It should come as no surprise to anybody that the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is intimately connected to the ear and can contribute to conditions that affect this extremely sensitive organ. Ear discomfort is a common symptom of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD), which can last for a considerable amount of time in certain patients. They may go to an ear specialist who assures them that their ears are healthy, but the specialist will ultimately point the finger at allergies or urge them to live with the condition without providing a reason.
However, ear pains, despite the fact that they are typically highly uncomfortable, are only a part of the problem. Tinnitus and hearing loss can both be symptoms of TMD, and it can be very challenging to acquire an accurate diagnosis of either condition. This is something that many people who suffer from TMD realize. Many people are advised that they require hearing aids when in reality, the problem lies with their jaws.
Because the ears are particularly sensitive and play a vital role in maintaining full-body balance, many patients who suffer from TMD also experience problems with dizziness and nausea.
Types of TMJ Hearing Loss
Conductive
This is caused by any illness or disease that impedes the mechanical conveyance of sound from the middle ear to the inner ear. This causes a drop in intensity (loudness), so the energy that reaches the inner ear is less intense than intended.
Sensorineural
This is due to a malfunction of the inner ear or auditory nerve. This may be caused by a failure of the hair cells to stimulate the nerves of hearing or a metabolic issue in the inner ear fluids. It can also result from inner ear organ damage.
Mixed
In addition to irreversible hearing loss caused by an inner ear or auditory nerve issue, the middle ear mechanism is also dysfunctional, which makes the hearing worse than sensorineural hearing loss alone.
With TMJ, your ear experiences the following symptoms:
- The TMJ nerves transmit pain signals to the brain.
- The signal is sent through the ear canal.
- The brain receives the signal from the ear and TMJ.
- The brain triggers a response from the ear by contracting the craniofacial muscles.
- Frequent muscular contractions cause the TMJ and other bones to become misaligned.
- The tensor palatini muscle pulls on the eardrum and causes Eustachian tube malfunction.
Diagnosis
If an individual complains of ear fullness, hearing loss, or tinnitus but does not display any common signs of an ear-related condition, an audiologist or an ENT may also suspect a problem with the TMJ. In general, a doctor or dentist can diagnose TMD through a physical examination. However, an audiologist or an ENT may also suspect a problem with the TMJ.
After examining your jaw for signs of pain, popping noises, or stiffness, the diagnosis may become clear at this point. Your doctor may also suggest getting panoramic X-rays done so that they can get a complete picture of what’s going on with your jaw, teeth, and facial bones.
Treatment
Treatment of a TMJ disorder may reverse your hearing loss and relieve other ear-related problems. The treatment may differ for each patient depending on the condition’s underlying cause. Your doctor may recommend that you wear a splint or mouth guard to aid in the recovery and relaxation of the muscles in your jaw.
Your doctor may suggest physical therapy to help strengthen the muscles around your jaw. You may also be prescribed medication, such as analgesics to reduce pain or muscle relaxants to ease muscle tension. In exceptional circumstances, your primary care physician may recommend that you consult an oral and maxillofacial surgeon to have any damage to the TMJ repaired.
Consult with Garza DDS to learn more about TMJ hearing loss
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above and have been unable to find relief, you may suffer from TMJ hearing loss. To learn more about this condition and to find out if treatment is available, please consult with Garza DDS. We specialize in diagnosing and treating TMJ disorders and can help you get your life back on track.