Tinnitus

Tinnitus – Origin and Treatment Options

As part of a case study during my Master’s degree in Osteopathy at the University of Applied Sciences in Fribourg, I took a deep dive into the topic of tinnitus. During my first internship, one particular case made a huge impression on me. It involved a patient suffering from somatic tinnitus. She described a persistent tone in one ear that was partially triggered by certain head positions or stress. After just a single osteopathic session, she was completely symptom-free.

Do you also know that annoying sound in your ear? Read on to find out more!

First things first: What is somatic tinnitus?

Tinnitus is the subjective perception of a sound or noise in the ear that is not generated externally, usually described as ringing or buzzing. Globally, 15 to 20% of the population experiences this phenomenon. For about 1 to 3% of those affected, this constant tone leads to a significant reduction in quality of life. 

Causes and symptoms of somatic tinnitus

Tinnitus can have many different causes. The somatic tinnitus described here originates from functional disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Consequently, an ENT examination will show no disease or injury to the auditory pathway.

Due to the neurological, myogenic, vascular, and anatomical connections linking the temporomandibular joint (specifically the temporalis, masseter, lateral pterygoid muscles, and the sphenomandibular ligament), the craniocervical junction, and the shoulder girdle muscles to the ear and auditory pathway, dysfunctions in these areas can trigger somatic tinnitus. Often, somatic tinnitus is accompanied by pain in these regions or is modulated by specific movements.

Henry Vandyke Carter creator QS:P170,Q955620 Henry Gray creator QS:P170,Q40319, Gray907, marked as public domain, details on Wikimedia Commons

A typical clinical presentation of somatic tinnitus looks like this:
Perception of unilateral tinnitus without any ENT findings or specific onset trigger. It is usually accompanied by pain in the temporomandibular joint or the neck-shoulder girdle. Sufferers may find that the tinnitus is modulated by certain head positions and/or stress.

Henry Vandyke Carter creator QS:P170,Q955620 Henry Gray creator QS:P170,Q40319, Gray915, marked as public domain, details on Wikimedia Commons

The role of osteopathy and physiotherapy in treating somatic tinnitus

Through a detailed examination and subsequent treatment of the affected regions, we can support patients suffering from somatic tinnitus here at BodyLab Osteopathy and Physiotherapy.
Myofascial techniques, mobilisations, and thrusts (high-velocity low-amplitude manipulation) restore the physiological function of the affected structures. Consequently, this can cause the tinnitus to disappear entirely.

HenryHenry Vandyke Carter creator QS:P170,Q955620 Henry Gray creator QS:P170,Q40319, Gray906, marked as public domain, details on Wikimedia Commons

An essential part of the treatment is education. We instruct you on the symptoms and triggering mechanisms of your tinnitus. Backed by their deep knowledge of the human body and its interconnected networks, the therapists at BodyLab Zurich offer vital education to help you identify the root cause and actively counteract it.

Research

According to recent studies, clinical examinations and treatments should focus primarily on the head, neck, jaw, and shoulder girdle areas, as well as the adjacent muscles, structures, and fascia, with special attention given to the craniocervical junction, masticatory muscles, and the sphenomandibular ligament (SML).
The prevalence of temporomandibular joint dysfunction among somatic tinnitus patients is around 30%.

If somatic tinnitus and its associated dysfunction are diagnosed correctly, osteopathic or physiotherapeutic treatment can lead to highly successful therapeutic outcomes.
However, the classification, examination, and treatment of tinnitus remain debated. Currently, NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) is developing guidelines for "Tinnitus assessment and management," which are expected to be published in 2020.

This blog post was written by our intern, Anita Jost (MSc Ost i.A). If you are interested, you can access Anita Jost’s full study, including the bibliography, at this link.

If you need us, we are here to support you!

Your BodyLab Team – Your specialists for the treatment of somatic tinnitus

Osteopathy and Physiotherapy | Rehabilitation and Training

Zürich Altstetten

Title Image Credit

Henry Vandyke Carter creator QS:P170,Q955620 Henry Gray creator QS:P170,Q40319, Gray907, marked as public domain, details on Wikimedia Commons