Somatic tinnitus, also known as somatosensory tinnitus, is a type of tinnitus closely linked to the musculoskeletal system, particularly the jaw and neck. To shed light on this condition, I had the honour of speaking with Dr. Annemarie van der Wal, an orofacial physiotherapist and researcher at the Academic Center for Dentistry in Amsterdam. With her background in temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and tinnitus, Annemarie is one of the world’s leading experts in this field.
In this article, I’ll share insights from our conversation, along with practical advice for people who suspect they may have somatic tinnitus.
What is somatic tinnitus?
Somatic tinnitus is a form of tinnitus influenced by the somatic (body) system rather than being solely auditory in origin. It is often connected to the temporomandibular area (jaw muscles and joints) or the cervical spine (neck). Research shows that about 25% of tinnitus patients have this type—meaning 1 out of 4 people.
How can you recognise somatic tinnitus?
Annemarie explains: “Diagnosing somatic tinnitus can be challenging. In my experience, many people are unsure whether their tinnitus fits this category, and I often get the question: “How do I know if I have somatic tinnitus?”
There are several key signs that may point toward this condition:
5 Checks for somatic tinnitus:
- Your tinnitus changes (louder, softer, or pitch) when you move your jaw or neck, clench your teeth, or open your mouth.
- Pressure on tender points in the jaw or neck causes changes in your tinnitus.
- Your tinnitus began or worsened after a physical injury, such as whiplash.
- You regularly experience neck or jaw pain or muscle tension, and your tinnitus worsens alongside this pain.
- You clench or grind your teeth, either during the day or at night.
If only modulation is present—meaning your tinnitus changes when you move your jaw or neck—but there is no pain, tension, or teeth grinding, it is less likely to be somatic tinnitus. As Annemarie explained, “As a physiotherapist, I should have something to treat. If there’s no neck or jaw problem, I have nothing to treat.”
How is somatic tinnitus treated?
The treatment of somatic tinnitus focuses on addressing jaw and neck problems. This is usually done through orofacial therapy or physiotherapy, depending on the healthcare system in your country.
Common treatment approaches
- Relieving muscle tension in the jaw and neck
- Counseling patients about harmful mouth habits
- Correcting posture and reducing strain
- Teaching relaxation and stretching exercises for jaw and neck muscles
Interestingly, many people don’t even realize they have tension in their jaw. For example, a tight muscle in the temple area is often mistaken for a headache, when it is actually muscle pain. Learning to relax these muscles is therefore an essential part of treatment.
What results can you expect from treatment?
A common question I often get is: “If I start treatment for somatic tinnitus, will my tinnitus go away?” The short answer is: usually not completely. However, treatment can significantly reduce symptoms.
In Annemarie’s study, 60% of patients reported a reduction in tinnitus complaints after orofacial therapy. While that means 40% did not see improvement, the results are still considered promising compared to other tinnitus treatments.
Exercises you can try at home
While professional guidance is best, some simple exercises can help reduce jaw and neck tension. Annemarie shared 3 useful techniques:
Jaw relaxation exercises (watch the video to see how they work)
- Breathing exercise: Inhale, then exhale slowly through your mouth while relaxing your jaw as much as possible.
- Air movement exercise: Fill your mouth with a little air and gently move it around, without moving the jaw itself.
- Fish exercise: Gently make a fish-like face movement to loosen tension in the jaw area.
These may look a little silly, but they can be surprisingly effective. Try different ones and see which feels best for you.
Where can you find a specialist?
If you suspect you have somatic tinnitus, it’s important to consult a trained professional. Here are some starting points:
- United States: American Academy of Orofacial Pain
- United Kingdom: Association of Consultants and Specialists in TMD
- Australia & New Zealand: Orofacial Pain Academies
- Netherlands: www.defysiotherapeut.com (search for “orofacial physiotherapist”)
If your country isn’t listed, try searching for orofacial pain specialists in your region.
Next steps
Even with a somatic component, ‘mechanical’ treatment alone is often not enough. For a complete treatment, a combination with (online) therapy works best. To learn more about this, I recommend joining my free tinnitus webinar. There, I will explain how the Still Tinnitus method can help you to calm your tinnitus and reclaim your life, without traveling, wait times, or group sessions. Even though there’s no cure for tinnitus, a full recovery is possible. Hang in there, and see you in the webinar!
Somatic tinnitus is a condition where the source lies not just in the ear, but in the jaw and neck. For some patients, recognizing and addressing this connection can significantly reduce symptoms. As Annemarie emphasized, the key is first determining whether you meet the criteria, and then working with a specialist who can guide treatment.
In my experience, many people don’t realize how closely their tinnitus connects with physical tension. If this sounds like you, it might be worth exploring whether somatic tinnitus is part of the picture.
