I triggered tinnitus and hyperacusis over 7 years ago now. Luckily it always went eventually but as of about 4 months ago it seems as if it is here to stay and a lot worse.
An otologist told me that areas I said gave me pain could be consistent with TMJ issues and that he worked with a physio who could treat this. I have always assumed my issue was triggered by music and worsened by my stressing but as someone who clenches his teeth in his sleep, this did make some sense and I am desperate.
The physio told me she could potentially help with several treatments of manipulations, dry-needling, Low Level Laser Therapy and exercises for me to do myself but that it could get worse before it got better. This scared me so I just had her do some light manipulations. If anything maybe it make me worse and I am sure it made the ear ring that had never really bee ringing before. Given that I am getting worse and not sure I can tolerate devices for sound therapy, I am increasingly wondering if I should try the dry-needling and lasers but I am practically housebound these days and would need to get Ubers to and from her clinic which is £100 for half an hour. Most importantly, I worry it will make me worse so has anyone had any positive or negative experiences with this treatment?
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PuddingChipsAndGravy
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I don't know the answer to this, but have you looked at the website of Tinnitus UK? Some info there on TMJ. I assume your physio would be the real expert on this, but hope that other posters may be able to offer something.
They mention acupuncture and don't recommend it and I have read about people saying acupuncture made things worse or is only temporary relief but I know my boss at work has dry-needling on muscle injuries to his legs which works but I live in fear and dread of things that make tinnitus worse. As I am sure I don't need to tell anyone on here, you always read horror stories of people swearing something has made them worse when it has helped others. I just watched the excellent Vik Veer video which my dad and someone on here recommend. I downloaded a sound frequency generator app he mentioned and am now convinced a few seconds of that has made my ringing worse! Enough to make one give up but thanks for your reply.
Crumbs. What an interesting approach to address TMJ, let alone tinnitus (T). It's the first I've heard of such ideas as fixes for either and I've heard plenty over the years.
I cannot speak from experience of dry needling for TMJ or T. I've had dry needling, but that was for a very inflamed area at the back of my neck owing to trauma. Low level laser sounds interesting, though personally I'd want to see the evidence-based research showing its success with TMJ before going down that road. I'm not even sure what low level laser therapy means.
Based on my life experience (not medical training), I think you should get a second opinion regarding possible TMJ issues. TMJ misalignment might or might not be the source of all or some of your tinnitus (T). Whether it is or is not, if you have TMJ misalignment, it is best sorted out rather than ignored. TMJ problems can lead to other unpleasant issues, such as chronic headache/migraine.
It sounds to me as though you could do with advice from a dentist, particularly an orthodontist who specializes in assessing jaw misalignment and bite issues. Perhaps you already have a night mouthguard to help alleviate the effects of bruxism?
Given the cost of the physio that's been suggested to you, which is certainly expensive and possibly more so than a consultation with a private dentist/orthodontist, you could opt to see a dentist/orthodontist to get a solid opinion about the condition of your TMJ and bite. You don't have to sign up there and then for a course of expensive treatment.
Regarding bruxism, a standard night mouthguard to help reduce the effect of grinding doesn't have to cost the Earth. If your dentist recommends a silicone/moulded lower or upper arch cover for night-time that costs over £100, here's a reference to a supplier that I regularly use and can recommend:
They send the kit out to you. It can take a few attempts to find the best tray and get a viable impression, but once done, the mould is made up and lasts for years. They can then quickly make a guard up whenever one is needed. It's all done by post. Guards last on average about 6 months if used every night.
If your dentist recommends a hard, corrective splint for TMJ misalignment, that's in a different league and should be managed/fitted and procured solely by the dentist. The quote I was given a few years back was £500. I can't imagine how a physio would be able to provide an alternative fix to a hard splint, but I could be wrong.
Many thanks. It was an otologist who recommended the physio, and the audiologist who I see for CBT speaks highly of her but they are all connected to the same, admittedly highly respected, clinic in London. It just made sense to me with the areas where I was experiencing pain, and to be fair to the physio, she did tell me not everyone felt the benefits and didn't give me the hard-sell. She even said that if I was stressing about negative effects, it might be work against any treatment she would do.
The splint I use for my bruxism is amazing, as is my dentist, and combined with meditation it has meant I have usually been pretty OK with jaw issues but I gave the daytime one a go just to have some protection during the day. It cost the princely sum of £1500, which did include unlimited follow-ups but was one of the worst decisions I ever made, as it totally threw my bit out but luckily with the help of a cranial osteopath I was able to get back to normal.
I’ve tried dry needling and acupuncture which didn’t help at all. I also have tmj disfunction which makes my T really high pitched when I open my jaw wide. My dentist referred me to the hospital who said they couldn’t help me.
My T also changes pitch with certain neck movements. I went to a physio who did manipulations which made my T worse. Luckily it levelled back out again.
It’s a really hard to know what to do for the best. We’d all try most things to help but the thought of our T getting worse is very frightening. I’m probably at the stage now where unless some new treatment came out with extraordinary results I’m just going to try manage as best I can. All the best everyone.
Thanks for that. I get that high pitched noise too when I open my jaw. I think the manipulations gave me ringing in my right ear which hadn't been there before. I might give the physio a miss.
I also had the dry needling along with some physical therapy for what is suspected to be Tmj issues. The dry needling really didn’t help. The pt did address some neck issues that are probably related to my tinnitus. My tinnitus does increase with jaw and neck movement. I do have an upcoming appointment with a dentist who is supposed to specialize in Tmj issues. Wishing you the best.
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