Jaw and Head Conditions |
TinnitusTinnitus
What is Tinnitus or Ringing in the Ears? Tinnitus is an annoying sensation of hearing sounds even in the absence of external sounds. However, it can also be a feeling of pressure in one or both ears. Patients have used different vocabulary to describe the sound they hear such as: high or low pitched, hissing, shh-ing, buzzing – there is no single sound that defines tinnitus. Does Tinnitus Cause Hearing Loss? Tinnitus is often associated with hearing loss, but there is no evidence that tinnitus causes the loss or that hearing loss causes tinnitus. In fact, some people with tinnitus experience no difficulty hearing. What Are the Causes of Tinnitus? The causes of tinnitus are not clear, but could range from systemic or vascular causes or from mechanical stress or injury. There is no one factor that causes or increases tinnitus. Is There Treatment for Tinnitus? Yes, tinnitus can improve or disappear once the underlying cause has been treated. People should seek care instead of just accepting constant or intermittent sounds or noises in their ear(s). A physician (typically an ENT or internist) can diagnose and treat systemic or vascular causes of tinnitus. However, mechanical stress factors are frequently not evaluated. The physical therapists at PhysioPartners Renaissance CranioFacial Group can help by increasing the postural awareness and decreasing the mechanical stresses that are contributing to tinnitus. How can posture affect or cause tinnitus? Poor posture and head, neck and jaw imbalances increase resting muscle tension. Additionally, inefficient tongue posture can increase stress on the inner ear and contribute to tinnitus. Clenching increases compression in the TMJ (the joint that connects your jaw to your skull), which is very close to the ear and can contribute to tinnitus. Loss of vertical height in the TMJ/jaw joint also increases compression around the ear. The physical therapists at PhysioPartners Renaissance CranioFacial Group will improve the mobility of the structures around your ears. At times, as an additional support, we may recommend a nighttime dental appliance to help maintain the joint space and progress through therapy. Dr. Jennifer Hobson, PT, DPT explains physical therapist care for tinnitus How Can a Physical Therapist Help with Tinnitus? Each patient is unique and that what helps one patient with tinnitus does not always help another patient with tinnitus. Your physical therapist will evaluate the factors that may be contributing to your tinnitus symptoms. What Treatments May Help Tinnitus?
What is the Goal of Treatment for Tinnitus patients? Every physical therapist in the clinic is dedicated to our patients' and utilizes his or her best professional knowledge and judgment to evaluate and treat each patient with a customized treatment plan. For patients with tinnitus, the first goal is to determine if the treatment is creating a change in tinnitus. Any change in frequency or intensity, including a temporary increase in symptoms, is a sign that mechanical factors may be contributing to the symptoms and improves the patient's prognosis. The ultimate goal is to eliminate the tinnitus and many patients have reported elimination or considerably reduced ringing in their ears. Your physical therapist will evaluate and reevaluate throughout your treatment course and incorporate different treatment options based on response to prior treatments. How Long Are Sessions? Typical sessions are 45 to 60 minutes in length. What is the Frequency of Treatment? A typical treatment plan consists of twice per week for approximately one to two months. If symptoms are improving and progressing appropriately, frequency tapers to once per week for an additional one to two months. Changing these automatic habits of the body, such as proper mouth and body posture and breathing habits, takes time. Less frequent treatment may slow progress due to regression between sessions. Our Patients Say It Best: Glen’s Story: “I developed a hissing sound in my ears and was told that there was nothing I could do and to just get used to it. After getting a second opinion which recommended treatment at Renaissance, my tinnitus is now nearly undetectable after the hands-on treatment approach to the head and neck.” Glen
Useful Links: Mayo Clinic Tinnitus Resource - Northwestern Tinnitus Clinic Director, Dr. Matsuoka
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