How Do You Treat TMJ Fullness in the Ears?

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Do you have a crackling sound in your ear due to TMJ?! Call our dedicated team today at Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders or visit us online to book an appointment. We have convenient locations across the U.S. in Bloomington IL, Peoria – Dunlap IL, Mishawaka IN, Kansas City MO, El Paso TX and Wausau WI.

Table of Contents:

Can TMJ cause a crackling sound in your ears?
How do I get rid of the crunching sound in my ear?
How do you treat TMJ fullness in the ears?

Crepitus is a sound or vibration that occurs when tissues in the body, such as cartilage in the joints, are damaged and rub against one another. One of the most common causes of crepitus is dysfunction of the TMJ or temporomandibular joint disorder. TMJ disorder occurs when the various parts in the temporomandibular joint become misaligned; this can cause the bone to rub on bone or cartilage. This rubbing can damage cartilage, causing it to develop into crepitus.

Can TMJ cause a crackling sound in your ears?

Yes, TMJ disorder can cause a crackling sound to occur in the ears; this is known as crepitus. In addition to a crackling or popping sound, crepitus also refers to a grating sensation produced by the friction of bone rubbing against cartilage. Crackling in the ears does not only occur from TMJ disorder, it can also be the result of ear wax that has dried on the eardrum. When the dried wax expands, it cracks, which is audible in the ear canal as a crackling, crunching or popping sound.

How do I get rid of the crunching sound in my ear?

When a crunching or crackling sound is audible in the ears, it is likely caused by dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint. In order to address this concern, the underlying cause of the crunching sound must first be taken care of. The best way to find the most effective treatment is by visiting a dentist who specializes in treating temporomandibular joint disorders. The dentist may utilize any one of several different modalities, including oral splints and mouth guards, or they may even prescribe physical therapy to help stretch the jaw muscles and relieve tension on the temporomandibular joint. Gentle stretches and strengthening exercises can improve TMJ health, reducing symptoms.

How do you treat TMJ fullness in the ears?

The TMJ, or temporomandibular joint, is positioned just in front of the ear; dysfunction with this joint can therefore easily impact how the ears feel. Several TMJ-related causes can cause stuffiness of the ear; tension in some of the jaw muscles can actually trigger tension in the stapedius muscle, the muscle of the inner ear. When this occurs, the eardrum tenses and can give a sense of stuffiness or diminished hearing. Chronic clenching or grinding of the teeth can trigger these types of spasms; the more frequently teeth clenching or grinding occurs, the more severe the ear symptoms will be. Other jaw muscles can also spasm from chronic clenching, causing the Eustachian tube to narrow or close. This affects inner ear pressure and can muffle hearing, similar to how ears pop when descending in an airplane.

In hard-to-diagnose cases that involve muffled hearing, ear pain, hearing changes or itching deep in the ear, it is likely that a chronic TMJ condition exists. In the treatment of TMJ disorder, using orthotic appliances to decompress the joint can restore ear function and improve hearing. Orthotic appliances are different from other techniques such as bite adjustment and bite equilibration as they use orthopedic medicine to improve jaw function.

In some cases, TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) may be used; this technique confuses the muscle memory to find the optimal resting position of the jaw. This can effectively ameliorate ear fullness when caused by the temporomandibular joint disorder.

If you are experiencing fullness in your ears, trust the team at Koala® Centers For Sleep & TMJ Disorders to provide you with relief.

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Can TMJ Cause My Jaw or Ears to Pop?

Home Dental Treatments TMJ Dentistry Can TMJ Cause My Jaw or Ears to Pop?

Temporomandibular joint disorders, often referred to simply as TMJ, can cause a range of problems with the jaw, face, and even the ears.

The temporomandibular joints exist on either side of the head close to the ears and help facilitate jaw movement. It is because of the temporomandibular joint that we can speak, chew, yawn, and smile.

When there is a problem with one or more temporomandibular joints, it can cause issues with the jaw and ears. But can TMJ cause your jaw or ears to pop? Here’s what you need to know.

TMJ Can Cause Unusual Jaw Popping or Clicking Sounds

People with TMJ disorders frequently report that their jaw makes popping or clicking noises when in motion. Any movement—from speaking to chewing to yawning—may cause these unusual sounds in the jaw. Some people hear a popping noise, but others may hear a clicking or even a grating sound when moving their mouth.

If you have a TMJ disorder, these sounds may be accompanied by pain or discomfort, but this won’t be true in every case [1].

Ear Problems and TMJ

Temporomandibular joint issues can cause your ears to feel as though they are popping, but they can also cause other issues with the ears, including ringing in the ears, aching ears, or hearing loss [2].

If you experience any type of ear discomfort, it may not be related to an ear infection. Since the temporomandibular joint is located so close to the ears, any inflammation or discomfort related to these joints has the potential to cause ear symptoms.

Ear problems can coincide with other symptoms of TMJ, including popping and clicking noises, jaw or facial discomfort, and trouble opening the mouth all the way. However, it’s also possible for these symptoms to exist separately, so don’t immediately discount a TMJ disorder, even if you are only having ear symptoms.

Can TMJ-Related Popping Noises Be Treated?

Whether you’re experiencing jaw or ear popping related to TMJ, the good news is that, in many cases, it can be treated. TMJ disorders may have an underlying cause that you can address with your dentist to help your symptoms go away.

For example, overuse of the jaw joint or even teeth that don’t fit together properly can trigger TMJ symptoms. So reducing activities that aggravate the jaw joint, such as chewing gum, or getting orthodontic treatment for misaligned teeth can help resolve the problem.

Other people may benefit from physical therapy, medication, or jaw exercises [3]. Your dentist can work with you to develop a treatment plan that makes the most sense based on your symptoms and potential underlying causes of the disorder.

Do You Have Symptoms of TMJ?

If you have symptoms of TMJ, including jaw or ear popping, ask your dentist during your next checkup if you could be suffering from a TMJ disorder and if so, what treatment or management options may be available.

Sources:
1. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319888
2. https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/tmd#symptoms
3. https://tmj.org/living-with-tmj/treatments/

Summary

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INJURIES OF THE EARDYRUM | Centrum Słuchu i Mowy MEDINCUS

What causes damage to the eardrum?
The most common causes of damage to the eardrum are chronic inflammation of the middle ear or trauma (for example, barotrauma after an explosion, a blow to the ear, or damage to the eardrum when cleaning the ear with various objects that are not intended for this).

What types of damage to the eardrum exist?
There are different types of damage to the eardrum:

• perforation

• destruction of the tympanic membrane structure due to retraction, which is the result of long-term inflammatory processes that occur when the auditory tube is obstructed, the purpose of which is to equalize pressure on both sides of the tympanic membrane. In these cases, the tympanic membrane may remain continuous, but without elastic elements, it may overstretch and not perform its function. It can lie on the structures of the middle ear (for example, on the auditory ossicles) and adhere to them and sometimes destroy them.

Is eardrum damage dangerous?
Due to the possibility of complications, each damage to the eardrum should be under periodic supervision and appropriate treatment. Damage to the tympanic membrane in the form of a perforation located on the edge is more dangerous than in the central parts, since there is a possibility that the epidermis will grow into the tympanic cavity (cholesteatoma). This epidermis can cause destruction of ear structures with purulent inflammation, hearing loss and the possibility of serious complications. In each case, perforation of the tympanic membrane is the site of infection in the middle ear (you can not wet the ear). In case of damage to the tympanic membrane due to excessive retraction, destruction of the auditory ossicles (hearing loss), as well as the appearance of perforation and ingrowth of the epidermis into the middle ear is possible.

How is eardrum damage diagnosed?
Damage to the tympanic membrane (inflammation of the ear, trauma) can be preliminarily identified on the basis of a medical examination (inflammation of the ear with or without discharge, trauma). The diagnosis can be made after a precise examination using an otoscope. Video otoscopy (examination of the ear with a small camera) and a diagnostic microscope, which we use in daily practice, make it possible to identify even minor damage to the eardrum. An audiometric study is most often helpful in diagnosing hearing loss.

What causes hearing loss when the eardrum is damaged?
Damage to the eardrum disrupts the sound wave reaching the ear. Weak vibration of the damaged tympanic membrane causes weakening of the movement of the auditory ossicles associated with it, as a result of which the sound transmission to the inner ear deteriorates. All of the above is expressed in conductive hearing loss. If damage to the eardrum is combined with damage to the ossicular chain, then most often the degree of hearing loss is even more pronounced. In case of damage to the eardrum due to barotrauma, for example after an explosion, changes in the inner ear may occur, which affects the deterioration of the receiving system of the ear, which leads to perceptual hearing loss. It can also cause tinnitus and possible dizziness. If both types of hearing loss exist at the same time, then we are talking about a mixed type of hearing loss.

How can damage to the eardrum be treated?
In the case of a small central perforation without complications, the patient is prescribed observation for several months, since the tympanic membrane has the ability to regenerate, and there is often the possibility of fusion without medical intervention. When the perforation does not heal, complications can occur (eg, the edges of the perforation begin to curl up, which can lead to their ingrowth into the tympanic cavity). In cases of perforation at the edges and in cases of excessive retraction of the tympanic membrane, along with the onset of destruction of the auditory ossicles or ingrowth of the epidermis into the tympanic membrane, surgical treatment is prescribed.

What is myringoplasty and what is it based on?
Myringoplasty, i.e. the reconstruction of the tympanic membrane, is performed through the external auditory canal, so no scars are visible from the outside (it is possible to perform the operation using an incision behind the auricle, but this is rarely used). In many cases, an additional incision is needed to obtain material for the reconstruction. The material can be a perichondrium resembling a piece of polyethylene or a thin piece of cartilage from the auricle (about 1 cm incision in an almost imperceptible part of the auricle) or part of the fascia of the temporalis muscle (about 2 cm incision in the scalp). The above materials are the person’s own tissues, so they are completely safe and there is no risk of infection. The choice of appropriate materials depends on the condition of the ear and the results of the hearing test. Doctors often decide which materials to use during surgery. The tympanic membrane is reconstructed using material that takes root in the surrounding tissues. After the operation, a dressing remains in the ear, and the doctor puts stitches in the places of incisions. After the stitches are removed, when the wound heals, the scars are almost or completely invisible. The auditory and anatomical result of the operation can be seen only after the removal of the dressing (most often after a week).

What improvement in hearing can be expected after surgery?
Hearing improvement after surgery is possible only within the limits that were determined on the basis of hearing tests before the procedure (the maximum ear performance is determined by the so-called bone conduction curve presented on a tone audiogram). The purpose of the operation is to remove the so-called reserves of the cochlea, which is shown on the audiogram as a space between the curves of air and bone conduction. In most cases, after the operation, the cochlear reserve closes completely, that is, theoretically, the maximum possible improvement in hearing occurs. In some cases, some cochlear reserve may remain even if the ear is healed and the patient has a good anatomical outcome of the operation. This depends on previous inflammatory changes in the tympanic membrane (eg, tympanosclerotic changes that adversely affect the conduction of sounds and cause the tympanic membrane to harden). In some patients, the purpose of the operation is not to improve hearing, but to protect the ear from infection that enters with water and earwax.

What type of anesthesia do doctors use during myringoplasty?
These surgeries are usually performed under general anesthesia (narcosis). It ensures the safety of the patient and the comfort of the surgeon. It is possible to use local anesthesia, but only in cases where local anesthesia for medical reasons is the only acceptable form. Patients need small doses of pain medication from time to time after surgery.

Are there complications after myringoplasty?
In medicine, it is not possible to guarantee the full effectiveness of therapy. Possible complications after surgery can be divided into general and surgical. The general ones are associated with infections, anesthesia, drugs, movement restrictions, comorbidities, etc. The doctor responsible for the safe course of anesthesia (anaesthesiologist) will ask you for more information to reduce the risk of these complications. In addition, it will be necessary to perform several additional studies, such as determining the blood group with the Rh factor, morphology and biochemical blood tests, blood clotting tests, urine tests, and others.
Otosurgical complications: profound hearing loss or complete deafness of the operated ear, damage to the facial nerve, which can cause damage to the muscles of the face of the operated side, damage to the tympanic string, signs of which are taste disorders in the tongue of the operated side, prolonged imbalance, the occurrence or intensification of tinnitus, perforation eardrum, no improvement in hearing. The above complications are very rare, and their number depends on the experience of the operating team.

How does the postoperative period look like?
The most difficult are the first hours after anesthesia. During the first day, dizziness and nausea sometimes appear, which are the result of anesthetics or actions near the middle ear. The hospital stay is usually one to several days after surgery. After the complete removal of the bandage from the ear (about 7 days after the operation), the patient may already feel an improvement in hearing, even if the eardrum is still healing. Control hearing tests are performed at different time intervals, but the objective result of the operation can be assessed 4 weeks after the operation.

What are the tips after myringoplasty?
In the early period after surgery, the patient should lead a cautious lifestyle and avoid infection (it is necessary to avoid contact with people who have respiratory tract infections). After removal of the dressing, immediate noise must be avoided. Within a month it is impossible to wet the operated ear. After the operation, it is recommended to undergo audiological control at intervals of 1, 3, 6, 12 months.

Otitis media is a disease of one or more parts of the ear – outer, middle, inner. What to do?

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• Otitis, or when the ear hurts

• Otitis externa

• Otitis media

• otitis media

Otitis, or when the ear hurts

Otitis media is a disease of one or more parts of the ear – external, middle, internal – of an infectious, allergic, mechanical or other nature, occurring acutely or of a chronic nature. Persons of both sexes and all ages get sick, however, due to the anatomical features of the ear, children are more likely to experience otitis media. Its diagnosis and treatment are within the competence of an ENT doctor.

The main thing: otitis media is a serious disease, with improper treatment, it leads to the development of dangerous complications. Self-medication is unacceptable

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Otitis externa

The outer ear is represented by the auricle, external auditory canal, auditory tube and ends with a membrane – the tympanic membrane. Its task is to capture sound waves and direct them to deeper structures – the inner ear.

The main causes of otitis externa are ear trauma, more often mechanical, and it affects mainly the elderly.

Symptoms:

• pain in the ear of a pulsating nature, radiating to the teeth, eye and neck on the side of the lesion;

• during a conversation or chewing, the intensity of pain increases;

• in severe purulent inflammation, if the ear canal is filled with exudate, the patient’s hearing is reduced.

Treatment is usually conservative and includes the treatment of affected areas of the skin with antiseptic solutions in combination with physiotherapy. Boils or abscesses are opened surgically.

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Otitis media

So called inflammation of the structures of the middle ear. It is represented by the tympanic cavity, in which there are three sound bones – hammer, anvil, stirrup; externally bounded by the tympanic membrane, internally by the opening of the temporal bone. Sound vibrations are transmitted from the eardrum sequentially to each of the three bones and then through the opening of the temporal bone into the inner ear.

Otitis media leaves about 25% of cases of visits to an otolaryngologist. Children often get sick.

The cause of it is usually an infection: viruses, bacteria or fungi. It rarely develops as an independent pathology – it usually complicates the course of other ENT diseases – rhinitis, sinusitis, adenoiditis and others.

Risk factors are:

• dry air;

• foci of chronic infection located near the ear, for example, enlarged adenoids in children;

• surgical interventions, injuries of the upper respiratory tract;

• immunodeficiencies.

The acute form of the disease begins suddenly, it is characterized by:

• intense pain in the ear, often of a shooting nature, aggravated by the position of the patient lying on the affected side;

• an increase in body temperature up to 38 ° C or more.

Pus accumulates in the tympanic cavity and after 1-3 days it becomes so much that the tympanic membrane cannot withstand pressure and bursts – the purulent contents of the middle ear flow out through the ear canal. After that, the body temperature decreases slightly, the pain becomes less intense.

With an unfavorable course of the disease, pus breaks into the inner ear and the cranial cavity, causing the development of serious complications.

Chronic otitis media occurs with alternating periods of exacerbation of the disease, when the symptoms are pronounced, and remissions – the patient feels relatively or completely satisfactory.

The basis of the treatment of this pathology is antibiotic therapy in combination with vasoconstrictor, antiseptic and fluid-improving drugs.

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Otitis media

Inflammatory process in the structures of the inner ear. Another name is labyrinth.

The inner ear is a system of channels, it is called the cochlea, located deep in the temporal bone. Inside the channels there is liquid and special cells with hairs. Getting there, sound vibrations are transformed into nerve impulses and enter the necessary parts of the brain along the auditory nerve.

As a rule, it is a complication of acute otitis media.