If you have temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, you may notice that TMJ disorder doesn’t always affect just your temporomandibular joints – it can reverberate and cause problems throughout the upper body. One such problem is a condition called tinnitus, which is defined as a ringing or buzzing sound in the ears.
There is no cure for tinnitus, and though it is usually not painful, it can be a nuisance. When combined with other symptoms, it’s not uncommon for tinnitus to feel worse than it really is. But there are some things you can do to get relief from tinnitus, or at least make it a little more bearable.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication can be prescribed by a doctor to help you sleep if your tinnitus is keeping you up at night. These medications can also lessen the symptoms of tinnitus, depending on the medication.
Sound Machines
Sound machines or white noise machines can sometimes overpower the ringing or buzzing sound tinnitus causes in your ears. It may help you sleep but could also benefit you during the day if you are in a place that can accommodate white noise in the background.
Behavioral Therapy
Though tinnitus is not a behavior, behavioral therapy can help those suffering with the condition by giving them tools to help relax and hopefully to make it easier to deal with the noise.
Massage
Seeing a chiropractor or massage therapist to work on the temporomandibular joints may help ease some of the tinnitus symptoms that go along with it. It also has the benefit of relaxing the jaw and hopefully easing some of the TMJ disorder pain.
Neuromuscular Orthodontics
Neuromuscular orthodontics is used to reposition the jaw to its optimal place. If your tinnitus is caused by TMJ disorder, addressing the disorder should clear up the tinnitus in the process. Neuromuscular orthodontics is currently the best non-surgical treatment for TMJ disorder.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. George, please call 724-220-2347.
