Hearing Loss/Deafness Causes & Prevention An Overview of TMJ-Related Hearing Loss By Jamie Berke Jamie Berke Facebook Jamie Berke is a deafness and hard of hearing expert. Learn about our editorial process Updated on February 22, 2020 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Benjamin F. Asher, MD Medically reviewed by Benjamin F. Asher, MD Facebook LinkedIn Benjamin F. Asher, MD, FACS, is board-certified in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. For 30 years, he has worked at Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound and the Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinic. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders can cause ear pain, tinnitus, and hearing loss in some people. The TMJ is located next to your ear and connects your skull to the lower jaw. Because of its location, issues with the TMJ may lead you to experience symptoms involving your jaw as well as surrounding areas, including your ears. GARO / PHANIE / Getty Images If you have symptoms of a TMJ disorder and think your hearing loss is related, check with your healthcare provider. TMJ disorder is a relatively common condition and affects people of all ages, with about one-third of adults experiencing symptoms. Symptoms If you have symptoms of TMJ disorder-related hearing loss, they may include: Muffled/decreased hearingTinnitus (ringing in the ears)Ear painFeeling of fullness in the earClicking or popping sounds when you move your jaw You’ll probably have other symptoms as well, including jaw pain, headaches, difficulty chewing, facial pain, dizziness, and pain or stiffness in the neck or shoulders. Your level of hearing loss may depend on the severity of your TMJ disorder. One study found that those who had the most symptoms, including jaw stiffness, were more likely to experience hearing problems. Causes Since the TMJ is located next to the middle ear, a disorder in the jaw can affect your hearing. While the exact reason isn’t clear, it’s thought that pressure or inflammation from the TMJ can affect nerves and muscles in the area, leading to blocked eustachian tubes. Tinnitus or difficulty hearing can result because the eustachian tubes cannot properly drain fluid from the middle ear. Diagnosis Your healthcare provider or dentist may suspect a TMJ disorder if you have symptoms of hearing loss, ear fullness, and tinnitus, but don’t have any signs of an ear infection or other ear-related condition. Medical professionals and dentists can usually diagnose TMJ disorder based on a physical examination as well as your medical history. Your healthcare provider will examine your jaw to check for any stiffness, pain, and sounds like popping or clicking. They may gently press on the side of your face while you open and close your jaw. They’ll note how wide you can open your mouth comfortably, with the normal range being at least 4 centimeters. Panoramic X-rays may be taken to confirm the diagnosis. These let the practitioner or dentist look at the TMJ as well as the jaws and teeth to make sure that there aren’t any other issues causing your symptoms. Other Possible Causes of Hearing Loss Treatment Treatment for a TMJ disorder can help you restore your hearing loss and relieve ear-related symptoms. Treatment may vary depending on the cause of the disorder. You may be advised to use a mouth guard, or splint, to help allow your jaw muscles to relax and recover. Physical therapy may be recommended to help strengthen the muscles around your jaw. You might also be prescribed medications, such as pain relievers or muscle relaxants. In rare cases, your healthcare provider may suggest seeing an oral and maxillofacial surgeon to repair any damage to the TMJ. A Word From Verywell It's natural for anyone, including a healthcare provider, to first think of issues related to the ears themselves when hearing problems occur. As such, it might take time for you and your healthcare provider to recognize that a TMJ disorder is to blame for your hearing loss. Thankfully, once it’s diagnosed, it is treatable. Talk to your practitioner if you have questions about whether a TMJ disorder could be affecting your hearing, especially if you are experiencing any of the other symptoms mentioned here. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 5 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Kitsoulis P, Marini A, Iliou K, et al. Signs and symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorders related to the degree of mouth opening and hearing loss. 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