what about TMJ & EAR relations - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

pennyb · 03-20-2003, 07:36 PM

Hi everyone!! Yep another hard core question that i might not find the answer too. I have been having a lot of ear aches. Not ear infections though i have had a few in the last year. Now what i am wondering could this possibly be due to my tmj and serious jaw problems. It's actually not the ear itself it's farther down in the drum by your 2 main neck muscles. OMG i am so afraid of permanate damage to my ears.
any help would be great.
thank you everyone your the greatest as usual
pennyb

Cymy Sue · 03-21-2003, 04:35 AM

Penny,

I have had severe earaches all of my life. (I am 50)
Earaches are sometimes the first symtom that cause people to seek treatment. It was for me. Ear infections always need treatment to protect your hearing. Earaches with no infection can be TMJD related, can cause much misery, and I've read in some cases, cause some degree of hearing loss. In some cases, it causes intolerance to noise.
In a lot of cases, I would think it does not cause damage to the ear, even though there is pain, and finding an ENT who believes that TMJD and Ear problems are related is the best way to be sure.

Take Care,
Cymy Sue

OHJELJ · 03-21-2003, 07:10 AM

Hey PennyB,

Ear issues and TMJ are very closely related. Actually during my surgery, they perforated my right ear drum because the two areas are so close together. My syptoms 12 years ago involved my hearing and balance, but these issues were resolved following my first arthroscopy.

I've noticed my hearing was much worse before my second surgery a few weeks ago. It's slowly getting better, but I still have pretty consistant ear aches. My doc said that ear infections were a side effect of the surgery as well and they have me taking a steroid ear drop to help heal and protect my ears during the recovery period.

Hope this helps! You are not alone!
Jennifer

pennyb · 03-24-2003, 12:10 PM

Jennifer, do the ear drops really help. I am wondering right now it that would be a good way for me to go also. I am so freaking out that i am going to end up with permanate ear damage. They hurt really bad deep down so i wonder if those drops will help calm down the pain. What are the name of those? Do you think i should make a request to my doctor for those? If they do help then i really would like to try them.
what do you think, thanks hon
pennyb

pennyb · 03-24-2003, 12:14 PM

cymy, so all the earaches you have had your whole life were due to tmj. god i have so much fear of serious damage to my ears. I had an ENT doctor check them out a few times and they are inflamed way down in my drum but they never recommend anything. Isn't that odd. OMG i hate earaches and you know where there is a loss of hearing but only in one ear. uggggggg i am desperate for no pain. thanks hon for your help.
pennyb