Hearing Loss/Deafness Causes & Prevention 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 April 25, 2023 Medically reviewed by Arno Kroner, DAOM, LAc Medically reviewed by Arno Kroner, DAOM, LAc Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Arno Kroner, DAOM, LAc, is a board-certified acupuncturist, as well as an herbalist and integrative medicine doctor. He operates a private practice in Santa Monica, California. 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 hearing loss in some people. Inflammation and swelling near the TMJ, which connects the skull to the lower jaw, can easily affect nearby tissues and structures—including the ear. If the cause of your hearing loss is still being determined or you have hearing loss with symptoms such as jaw clicking, headaches, or difficulty chewing, ask your healthcare provider about evaluating you for a TMJ disorder. This article discusses the link between TMJ disorders and hearing loss. It explains how TMJ symptoms can affect your hearing, how it is diagnosed, and possible treatments for TMJ-related hearing loss. GARO / PHANIE / Getty Images Symptoms of TMJ-Related Hearing Loss Hearing loss occurs in about one in 10 people with TMJ disorders. Symptoms of TMJ disorder-related hearing loss include: Muffled/decreased hearing Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Ear pain Feeling of fullness in the ear Clicking or popping sounds when you move your jaw You’ll probably have other symptoms of TMJ as well. Common signs of TMJ disorder include: Difficulty chewingDizzinessFacial painHeadachesJaw painPain 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. TMJ disorder is a relatively common condition and affects people of all ages, with about one-third of adults experiencing symptoms. How TMJ Causes Hearing Loss 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. Some experts believe TMJ-related hearing loss occurs due to altered middle-ear/inner-ear pressure equilibrium. Tinnitus and hearing loss can occur because the eustachian tubes cannot properly drain fluid from the middle ear. Other Possible Causes of Hearing Loss Diagnosing TMJ Hearing Loss 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 and your medical history. Physical Examination 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. Imaging Panoramic X-rays may be taken to confirm the diagnosis. These let the practitioner look at the TMJ as well as the jaw and teeth to make sure that there aren’t any other issues causing your symptoms. Hearing Tests You may also need to see an audiologist to assess the degree of hearing loss. Tools used to measure your hearing include: Outer ear tests, such as an audiogram and bone conduction testsMiddle ear tests, including tympanometry, speech test, acoustic reflex measures, and static acoustic impedanceInner ear tests like otoacoustic emissions Tests for Hearing Loss Treatment for TMJ and Hearing Loss Treatment for a TMJ disorder may help restore your hearing loss and relieve ear-related symptoms. Treatment may vary depending on the cause of the disorder. TMJ treatments include: A mouth guard or splint to help jaw muscles to relax Biofeedback Counseling Muscle relaxers to relieve tension Over-the-counter and prescription pain relievers Physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around your jaw Acupuncture In rare cases, your healthcare provider may suggest seeing an oral and maxillofacial surgeon to repair any damage to the TMJ. While managing the TMJ symptoms may help to restore hearing loss, it's not guaranteed. A 2016 systematic review of studies found insufficient evidence to prove that treating TMJ symptoms can improve hearing because they have different causes. If treating your TMJ symptoms does not restore hearing, your healthcare provider may refer you to an audiologist. They can help you adapt to hearing loss and determine if hearing aids or other devices can help. 10 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. Çebi AT. Presence of tinnitus and tinnitus-related hearing loss in temporomandibular disorders. Cranio. 2020:1-5. doi:10.1080/08869634.2020.1829290 Mehta N. Temporomandibular disorders. Merck Manual Consumer Version. 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. BMC Ear Nose Throat Disord. 2011;11:5. doi:10.1186/1472-6815-11-5 Effat KG. Otological symptoms and audiometric findings in patients with temporomandibular disorders: Costen's syndrome revisited. J Laryngol Otol. 2016;130(12):1137–41. doi:10.1017/S0022215116009300 Dalla-bona D, Shackleton T, Clark G, Ram S. Unilateral ear fullness and temporary hearing loss diagnosed and successfully managed as a temporomandibular disorder: a case report. J Am Dent Assoc. 2015;146(3):192-4. doi:10.1016/j.adaj.2014.12.012 Cleveland Clinic. Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD). American Tinnitus Association. TMJ treatments. Dietrich L, Rodrigues IVS, Assis Costa MDM, Carvalho RF, Silva GRD. Acupuncture in Temporomandibular Disorders Painful Symptomatology: An Evidence-Based Case Report. Eur J Dent. 2020;14(4):692-696. doi:10.1055/s-0040-1716631 Stechman-Neto J, Porporatti AL, Porto de Toledo I, et al. Effect of temporomandibular disorder therapy on otologic signs and symptoms: a systematic review. J Oral Rehabil. 2016;43(6):468–79. doi:10.1111/joor.12380 NIH: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. What can I turn to for health with my hearing loss? By Jamie Berke Jamie Berke is a deafness and hard of hearing expert. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit