Anastasia
06-16-2003, 03:06 AM
aaaahhhhhhh!
i just had to scream! this is the third night in a row that my tennitis has kept me up! usually its just a humming sort of noise but lately it's been more like a high pitched screaming. i'd swear that person next to me must be able to hear it, it's sooo loud! i cant even count how many times i've went for the phone and almost answered it! :) now i know how old people feel.
i'm supposed to be getting my jaw thingy in about 2 weeks and was wondering how long it will take for this ringing to stop. also the senitivity to light. real light doesn't really bother me too much but artifical light just kills me! i tried searching through previous posts and didn't really get very far, and the web only talks about the jaw/face pain of TMJ not the ear symptoms.
Anastasia
i just had to scream! this is the third night in a row that my tennitis has kept me up! usually its just a humming sort of noise but lately it's been more like a high pitched screaming. i'd swear that person next to me must be able to hear it, it's sooo loud! i cant even count how many times i've went for the phone and almost answered it! :) now i know how old people feel.
i'm supposed to be getting my jaw thingy in about 2 weeks and was wondering how long it will take for this ringing to stop. also the senitivity to light. real light doesn't really bother me too much but artifical light just kills me! i tried searching through previous posts and didn't really get very far, and the web only talks about the jaw/face pain of TMJ not the ear symptoms.
Anastasia
Sponsor
Cymy Sue
06-16-2003, 05:26 AM
Hi Anastasia,
Since I joined this Forum I have been truly amazed at how many members (especially young members) who suffer with terrible ear problems at the onset or early stages of TMJD problems, Tinnitis being one of the hardest symtoms to deal with.
I always had ear pain, ear aches & a degree of hyperacusis, but I was 23 years into TMJD treatment (including several surgeries) when I started experiencing Tinnitis. A little over 2 years ago, it started with some brief ringing episodes and then one day, it was like a jet engine lodged in my head and never turned off.
I saw about 5 ENT's who said there was absolutely no connection. Many members have been told the same thing. A Neurotologist finally convinced me by explaining the connection. He told me if I could get something done with the TMJD, it would help the Tinnitis, it might even go away. I felt hopeless. I had been told a few months before, that there was absolutely nothing else that could be done for me.
(That information was incorrect. A splint has worked wonders for all of my TMJD symtoms, including the Tinnitis)
If the Tinnitis is caused by muscle spasms due to TMJD, a Splint can help. Several people on the board have gotten different degrees of relief with Splint Therapy. Also, everyone seems to respond on different timetables with many reporting the Tinnitis is usually the last symtom to ease up.
I started Splint Therapy about 5 months ago and responded very quickly. My splint was designed primarily for Muscle relaxation and passive repositioning. The Tinnitis started to get better within a few weeks. I still have it, but the majority of the time, I barely notice it. Some days, it's gone. Occasionally, I have a bad day with it, but I believe eventually, it will go away.
I want to stress to you that I did not have any nerve damage to my ears or other ear related problems. It was all totally TMJD related.
There are many discussions on this Board regarding ear problems and Tinnitis. I also checked the "Hearing Disorders" and "Inner Ear" Forums for information when I first joined HB.
I bumped up an old post with some of the first information I found (TMJD/Tinnitis Connection). I thought it was interesting since I could not find anyone who would make the connection.
Also, for me to understand why...helped a little. This is what the Neurotologist told me and I have read very similiar explanations.
Ear problems are very common with TMJD.
Two very small muscles are usually the cause.
The Tensor Veli Pallantini and the Tensor Tympani muscles connect to the muscles of mastication and the ears. Grinding, clenching, chewing and talking cause these muscles to shorten and that puts a constant pull or strain on the auricular cavity. This causes ear ache, pain, fullness, congestion, TINNITIS, hyperacusis, hearing loss, etc.
Light sensitivety seems to be a common complaint also. There are also a couple of small muscles that are involved in chewing that connect around and behind the eyes.
I found that sleeping with "White Noise" helps.(I still do that)
I also used the "White Noise Ear Maskers" (Dr. Jastreboff's Theory) Both of these helped me to deal with it a little better, but Muscle Spasms were the cause and I didn't get any real relief until I got the splint.
I hope you get the same relief.
Cymy Sue
[This message has been edited by Cymy Sue (edited 06-16-2003).]
Since I joined this Forum I have been truly amazed at how many members (especially young members) who suffer with terrible ear problems at the onset or early stages of TMJD problems, Tinnitis being one of the hardest symtoms to deal with.
I always had ear pain, ear aches & a degree of hyperacusis, but I was 23 years into TMJD treatment (including several surgeries) when I started experiencing Tinnitis. A little over 2 years ago, it started with some brief ringing episodes and then one day, it was like a jet engine lodged in my head and never turned off.
I saw about 5 ENT's who said there was absolutely no connection. Many members have been told the same thing. A Neurotologist finally convinced me by explaining the connection. He told me if I could get something done with the TMJD, it would help the Tinnitis, it might even go away. I felt hopeless. I had been told a few months before, that there was absolutely nothing else that could be done for me.
(That information was incorrect. A splint has worked wonders for all of my TMJD symtoms, including the Tinnitis)
If the Tinnitis is caused by muscle spasms due to TMJD, a Splint can help. Several people on the board have gotten different degrees of relief with Splint Therapy. Also, everyone seems to respond on different timetables with many reporting the Tinnitis is usually the last symtom to ease up.
I started Splint Therapy about 5 months ago and responded very quickly. My splint was designed primarily for Muscle relaxation and passive repositioning. The Tinnitis started to get better within a few weeks. I still have it, but the majority of the time, I barely notice it. Some days, it's gone. Occasionally, I have a bad day with it, but I believe eventually, it will go away.
I want to stress to you that I did not have any nerve damage to my ears or other ear related problems. It was all totally TMJD related.
There are many discussions on this Board regarding ear problems and Tinnitis. I also checked the "Hearing Disorders" and "Inner Ear" Forums for information when I first joined HB.
I bumped up an old post with some of the first information I found (TMJD/Tinnitis Connection). I thought it was interesting since I could not find anyone who would make the connection.
Also, for me to understand why...helped a little. This is what the Neurotologist told me and I have read very similiar explanations.
Ear problems are very common with TMJD.
Two very small muscles are usually the cause.
The Tensor Veli Pallantini and the Tensor Tympani muscles connect to the muscles of mastication and the ears. Grinding, clenching, chewing and talking cause these muscles to shorten and that puts a constant pull or strain on the auricular cavity. This causes ear ache, pain, fullness, congestion, TINNITIS, hyperacusis, hearing loss, etc.
Light sensitivety seems to be a common complaint also. There are also a couple of small muscles that are involved in chewing that connect around and behind the eyes.
I found that sleeping with "White Noise" helps.(I still do that)
I also used the "White Noise Ear Maskers" (Dr. Jastreboff's Theory) Both of these helped me to deal with it a little better, but Muscle Spasms were the cause and I didn't get any real relief until I got the splint.
I hope you get the same relief.
Cymy Sue
[This message has been edited by Cymy Sue (edited 06-16-2003).]
Arleen
06-16-2003, 06:15 PM
Hi:
Anastasia - Sorry you are experiencing such problems with your ears. I hope you find some relief very soon.
Cymy Sue - Sorry to cut in on this thread, but you mention using some white noise ear maskers. What are these? I have a different problem but wonder if they'd help. My neighbours (I live in a townhouse)play music constantly, and have no intention of turning it down. A lot of time, the music isn't blaring but the bass (an possibly other things) are turned way up. I hear constant humming, revving, zooming type noises. It makes me crazy. It gets right into my head. I recently tried several varieties of earplugs and they don't help. I've been trying to find some soundproof headphones but no luck yet. I also live by a busy street, so I hear traffic sounds also (sometimes with stereos blaring). My teeth/gums/sore face problems are hard enough to deal with, but this has me so stressed. I sometimes have a small fan going, which semi-blocks the neighbour's noise - but not enough. Perhaps you have some suggestions.
I'm so sorry to hear that you've gone through 23 years of TMJD. I can't imagine what that's been like. I glad you're now getting some good help and feeling much better.
Take care,
Arleen
Anastasia - Sorry you are experiencing such problems with your ears. I hope you find some relief very soon.
Cymy Sue - Sorry to cut in on this thread, but you mention using some white noise ear maskers. What are these? I have a different problem but wonder if they'd help. My neighbours (I live in a townhouse)play music constantly, and have no intention of turning it down. A lot of time, the music isn't blaring but the bass (an possibly other things) are turned way up. I hear constant humming, revving, zooming type noises. It makes me crazy. It gets right into my head. I recently tried several varieties of earplugs and they don't help. I've been trying to find some soundproof headphones but no luck yet. I also live by a busy street, so I hear traffic sounds also (sometimes with stereos blaring). My teeth/gums/sore face problems are hard enough to deal with, but this has me so stressed. I sometimes have a small fan going, which semi-blocks the neighbour's noise - but not enough. Perhaps you have some suggestions.
I'm so sorry to hear that you've gone through 23 years of TMJD. I can't imagine what that's been like. I glad you're now getting some good help and feeling much better.
Take care,
Arleen
Arleen
06-16-2003, 06:16 PM
Hi:
Anastasia - Sorry you are experiencing such problems with your ears. I hope you find some relief very soon.
Cymy Sue - Sorry to cut in on this thread, but you mention using some white noise ear maskers. What are these? I have a different problem but wonder if they'd help. My neighbours (I live in a townhouse)play music constantly, and have no intention of turning it down. A lot of time, the music isn't blaring but the bass (an possibly other things) are turned way up. I hear constant humming, revving, zooming type noises. It makes me crazy. It gets right into my head. I recently tried several varieties of earplugs and they don't help. I've been trying to find some soundproof headphones but no luck yet. I also live by a busy street, so I hear traffic sounds also (sometimes with stereos blaring). My teeth/gums/sore face problems are hard enough to deal with, but this has me so stressed. I sometimes have a small fan going, which semi-blocks the neighbour's noise - but not enough. Perhaps you have some suggestions.
I'm so sorry to hear that you've gone through 23 years of TMJD. I can't imagine what that's been like. I glad you're now getting some good help and feeling much better.
Take care,
Arleen
Anastasia - Sorry you are experiencing such problems with your ears. I hope you find some relief very soon.
Cymy Sue - Sorry to cut in on this thread, but you mention using some white noise ear maskers. What are these? I have a different problem but wonder if they'd help. My neighbours (I live in a townhouse)play music constantly, and have no intention of turning it down. A lot of time, the music isn't blaring but the bass (an possibly other things) are turned way up. I hear constant humming, revving, zooming type noises. It makes me crazy. It gets right into my head. I recently tried several varieties of earplugs and they don't help. I've been trying to find some soundproof headphones but no luck yet. I also live by a busy street, so I hear traffic sounds also (sometimes with stereos blaring). My teeth/gums/sore face problems are hard enough to deal with, but this has me so stressed. I sometimes have a small fan going, which semi-blocks the neighbour's noise - but not enough. Perhaps you have some suggestions.
I'm so sorry to hear that you've gone through 23 years of TMJD. I can't imagine what that's been like. I glad you're now getting some good help and feeling much better.
Take care,
Arleen
Lori Lynn
06-16-2003, 11:08 PM
It's funny... I always had clicking in my jaw and ringing in my ears, and never thought anything of it. I thought everyone had it. Florescent lights have always bothered me, too. And certain humming noises, like the a/c in grocery stores. I thought I was just insane until I found out about TMJ.
You do not want to get me started on booming bases in car stereos. I live across the street from a gas station -- it's like ground zero for tricked-out cars. (And then people wonder why I clenched my teeth. ;) )
You do not want to get me started on booming bases in car stereos. I live across the street from a gas station -- it's like ground zero for tricked-out cars. (And then people wonder why I clenched my teeth. ;) )
Arleen
06-17-2003, 12:16 AM
Hi Lori Lynn:
I'll switch you the gas station with my noisy neighbours. I could use a change.
The neighbours moved in about 2 years ago. I remember getting annoyed at the time with their noisy music, but now it just drives me crazy. Plus the street noise, which 2 years ago I didn't even notice. I thought my noise sensitivity might just have something to do with age and changing hormones, so I was very surprised to find out it was a TMJ symptom. It makes sense that that's why I've become so noise sensitive. It's like I just give a big sigh of relief late at night when everything is so peaceful and quiet. It's like a weight's been lifted from me.
Hope you're doing well :)
Arleen
I'll switch you the gas station with my noisy neighbours. I could use a change.
The neighbours moved in about 2 years ago. I remember getting annoyed at the time with their noisy music, but now it just drives me crazy. Plus the street noise, which 2 years ago I didn't even notice. I thought my noise sensitivity might just have something to do with age and changing hormones, so I was very surprised to find out it was a TMJ symptom. It makes sense that that's why I've become so noise sensitive. It's like I just give a big sigh of relief late at night when everything is so peaceful and quiet. It's like a weight's been lifted from me.
Hope you're doing well :)
Arleen