TMJ Hearing Loss – The Danger of Leaving Not Treating TMJ

If you have suffered from a sudden and inexplicable loss of hearing, you may be surprised to find that the cause of your hearing loss may not be within your ear at all. If your loss of hearing has been accompanied with jaw ache, popping sounds, strained facial muscles and limited mobility of the jaw joint, it is very likely that your loss of hearing has been caused by TMJ disorder.

What is TMJ?

TMJ stands for Temporo-Mandibular Joint or the joint that connects your lower jaw to the temporal bone in your skull. A disorder that is caused by the dysfunction of the bones, muscles, tendons or nerves of the jaw is referred to as Temporo-Mandibular Joint Disorder or the TMJ disorder. In this disorder, your jaw bone is likely to be deviated from its proper alignment with the upper jaw. This condition may be caused by trauma to the jaw bone, habits like habitual nail chewing and chewing gum, or even arthritis.

Symptoms of TMJ

Symptoms of TMJ disorder vary from case to case depending on the severity of the condition. In all cases there is sever TMJ pain accompanies with limited motion of the lower jaw. In mild cases, this may be accompanied with stiffness of facial muscles and resultant pain. In slightly more severe cases, the TMJ pain may spread to the head, neck, shoulders and back of the patient. In very severe cases, TMJ disorder could lead to degeneration of the bones in the jaw joint. TMJ hearing loss is also the result of severe TMJ disorder, especially one that has been left untreated for a prolonged period of time.

What Causes TMJ Hearing Loss?

People have wondered if TMJ hearing loss is in fact a reality. They are uncertain if a disorder of the jaw joint can have as severe an effect as hearing loss. The fact of the matter is that the ear and the jaw joint are physically very close to each other and can have a deep impact on proper functioning of each. The pain in the jaw joint may lead to contraction of the little muscles inside the inner ear. These muscles hold the ear bones malleus, incus and stapes in place. All these three ear bones are essential to the function of hearing. The contraction and spasm of these inner ear muscles causes TMJ hearing loss by affecting the proper functioning of the ear bones.

Treatment for TMJ Hearing Loss

The treatment for TMJ hearing loss involves ensuring that the muscles in the inner ear are relaxed and not strained by the TMJ disorder. In most cases, a TMJ mouth guard is used to relax the masticatory muscle which leads to relaxation of the inner ear muscles as well. TMJ physical therapy including muscle relaxation exercises is also often used to help relax the muscles of the inner ear. It is important that you consult a TMJ dentist to find the best treatment option for your TMJ hearing loss.