Tinnitus and pain

[Dumfy]

Hello

I developed a painful left ear and T about ten years ago. A consultant eventually suggested that it might be TMJ-related, even though I didn't exhibit the usual symptoms (a painful jaw, discomfort when biting, jaw locking, misalignment, worn teeth, etc).

Rather than a sense of fullness in my ear, which TMJ typically causes, I have a constant burning sensation - as if my ear is full of pepper dust - daily headaches, as well as T.

Does anyone else have similar symptoms - is it normal to have pain with T?

Any advice would be very welcome.

Dumf

[TinnitusUKPat Partner]

Hi Dumfy

Pain is not a symptom of tinnitus itself - tinnitus is a perception of sound, rather than a condition which is capable of causing discomfort. They symptoms that you're describing do seem more likely to be the territory of an Ear, Nose and Throat consultant, so it's a shame that they don't appear to have been helpful to you in the past.

More complex/atypical cases of TMJ might be reviewed by a maxillofacial consultant, so it might be worth seeing if a referral can be arranged by your GP.

With best wishes

Pat

[Seabob]

Hi - am sorry you are experiencing this, i have had ear pain for four years, and finally got diagnosed with tmjd, my jaw is slightly out of alignment and i have deterioration in the TM joints, my symptoms are the pain, T, ear fullness and a general low feeling as a result, my ENT said ear pain is usually from the TMJ unless you have an ear infection which i presume they have ruled out, are they going to arrange an MRI? I had one to rule out anything behind the ear, and then a CT scan, i hope you are going to get some tests done, i know how horrid ear pain is so i hope they can sort this out for you.

[Cookie24]

I had sudden onset of tinnitus in right ear. High pitched eeeeee. It gives me a headache. My right jaw is tight, so Physical Therapist did cranial sacrum manipulation that helped. Also, acupuncture.

[Dumfy]

Thanks for the replies. My T started following a holiday where I swam most days in a pool. Water seemed to become stuck in my left ear and took weeks to drain away. Since then, I have constant low-level T, which peaks every 10 days or so, when I also have the pain I describe. It feels like inflammation or infection, to be honest.

I have had a scan and X-rays, which were inconclusive. The closest I have got to a diagnosis was by a maxillofacial consultant, who suggested that it could be TMJ-related, even though my symptoms are atypical. Whatever it is, it's miserable!