by Neil Bauman, Ph.D.
© March, 2018, revised March, 2020
Over the years, people with all sorts of weird tinnitus have contacted me. As a result, I’ve written about nodding-chime tinnitus, gaze-evoked tinnitus, reactive tinnitus, pulsatile tinnitus, squeaking tinnitus and touch-sensitive (somatic) tinnitus as well as the common neurophysiologic tinnitus that we normally just call tinnitus.
Recently I received an email from Jean-Philippe that had a different kind of tinnitus—one I’d not come across before. His tinnitus occurs when he moves his tongue. I’m calling it (for obvious reasons) moving-tongue tinnitus.
Jean-Philippe wrote,
I have a strange kind of tinnitus and wanted your opinion. I researched a lot online and nowhere found something quite like what I have.
It started about two years ago. I now hear a buzzing noise in my left ear. What is unique about it is that when I move my tongue (either inside my mouth, or outside of it), up towards my noise, on the right side the buzzing sound gets a lot louder in my left ear.
Also, if I do the same kind of movement with my tongue, to the left side instead of the right side, I start hearing a buzzing sound in my right ear.
I have a somewhat tight neck and shoulders because I spend a lot of time at the computer. I do try to have good posture, but it is certainly not perfect. I also suffer from migraines/headaches from time to time. Furthermore, the buzzing sound increases significantly if I turn my neck as far as I can to either side.
I had an MRI and hearing test and everything was fine. My doctor told me there isn’t much more to do. Do you have any advice for me?
Later, another man wrote:
I have single-sided sensorineural hearing loss in my right ear and high pitched tinnitus and migraines.
Recently, I noticed when I push my tongue up over my two front teeth towards my nose I hear a distinct buzzing noise inside the left side of my head (brain). Basically pushing my tongue against my teeth is like ringing a door bell (i.e. I can keep my tongue in position and create a long ring, or move it repeatedly to create a series of rings).
In my case, it’s a very pronounced, singular ring, rather than a perceived change in volume of tinnitus.
You both have an unusual kind of tinnitus to be sure. I’ve not come across this kind of tinnitus before. In your case, Jean-Philippe, I think I know exactly what is going on and how you can effectively treat it.
What you have is a unique form (at least as far as I know) of somatosensory tinnitus. Somatosensory tinnitus is body tinnitus (from the Greek word “soma”—body. This kind of tinnitus is generated in various parts of your body—mostly by the muscles in your head and neck.
This is why you can change your tinnitus by turning your neck hard left or right (many people can do this too). Other people with somatosensory tinnitus can change their tinnitus by clenching their teeth, by moving their eyes, by touching their faces in certain places or by nodding or shaking their heads. You can also change your tinnitus by moving your tongue.
The reason this happens is because you have not just one, but two pathways to the auditory parts to your brain. One is your auditory nerve. Everybody knows about that. However, few realize that we have a second “parallel” pathway that delivers signals from the rest of the body.
Doctors call this secondary or parallel pathway the “non-classical auditory pathway” (otherwise called the extra-lemniscal pathway). These two pathways process information differently and go to different parts of your brain. Your non-classical auditory pathway figures prominently in your somatosensory tinnitus.
Here is an excerpt from Chapter 9 in the 7th edition of my book Take Control of Your Tinnitus—Here’s How that explains it.
The classical pathway is strictly for auditory information. It is narrowly tuned to sound frequencies. It processes auditory information as this information moves from the cochlea (inner ear) to the primary auditory areas in the brain.
In contrast, the non-classical pathway is more broadly tuned, is more diffusely organized and is more plastic as compared to the classical pathway. The non-classical pathway receives its information not only from the ears, but also from other sensory organs of the somatosensory system such as the tactile (sense of touch/feel) system and the visual system.
The association between the auditory and the non-classical (somatosensory) pathways occurs due to connections in the dorsal cochlear nucleus of the brain. There multitasking neurons receive signals from both the auditory and the somatosensory pathways.
Because there can be this association between the auditory pathways and the non-auditory pathways, when abnormal interactions occur between the various systems connected to these pathways, the result can be somatosensory tinnitus. That is why, as one person explained, “Since my cochlear implant surgery, I can rub behind my ear and hear a doorbell sound.” Note that the shorter the interval between the stimulus of one pathway relative to the other, the greater the interaction between them.
This explains the connection between various forms of “weird” tinnitus that affect the other senses such as somatosensory tinnitus and gaze-evoked tinnitus. This also explains why grinding your teeth can cause or modulate your tinnitus. It also explains how involving another sense can change your existing tinnitus.
Moving your tongue activates your extra-classical pathway, thus sending signals to your brain which are then interpreted as sound—in your case, a buzzing tinnitus sound. Cool, huh?
What I’d recommend, is that you get and read my tinnitus book Take Control of Your Tinnitus—either the printed book or eBook version (the text is identical in both). Chapter 9 explains what somatosensory tinnitus is, and Chapter 20 explains how you can effectively treat it.
Once you’ve read it and understand about your tinnitus, then start trying out things mentioned in Chapter 20 to reduce or eliminate your tinnitus—unless, of course, you want to remain unique with the only known case of moving-tongue tinnitus.
One thing I’d suggest is use a combination of chiropractic and massage treatments to relax the muscles in your tight neck and let the vertebrae in your upper neck move back into proper alignment. When done properly, I think that this will eliminate your strange tinnitus.
Hi Dr.Neil,
Thank you very much for your awesome help to many people.
I have an inquiry regarding my tinnitus I hope you can help me. My tinnitus has started two months ago and it was pure little tone in my right ear only, when I did hearing test I found that I have a hearing loss for the high frequencies (+4000) and it’s much more in my left ear, however, when the doctor asked me to live with it I was so mad and in the same day the tinnitus has started in both ears. however it fluctuate a lot in volume and pitch as well. and for some days I have totally silence in my left ear and a mild noise in the right one.
My tinnitus pitch and volume increase a lot when I move my jaw (despite that I don’t have any kind of jaw pain or noticeable problem). also same when I move my neck and tighten my neck muscles. Also when I lay on bed the tinnitus go more up always, sometimes I wake up with high volume and it reduce after few minutes when I get up.
do you think there are other reasons that my ear causing this ? I know there is no cure but maybe I can just reduce it a bit because it’s driving me crazy and made quit my job and my life.
Many thanks once again !
Sultan
Hi Sultan:
As you have found, stress can make your tinnitus worse.
From what you describe, you have somatosensory tinnitus (body tinnitus) rather than the more common neurophysiologic tinnitus.
I say this because your tinnitus changes when you move your jaw; when you move your neck; and when you lay down or get up. To me this indicates that some nerves are either pinched in your neck or are being over-stimulated.
When you lay down your tinnitus gets worse indicating that your neck nerves are being pinched by the way you lay your head. When you get up and move your head, the nerves are no longer pinched, and your tinnitus tends to go away. The same is basically true for your neck and jaw.
The solution is to go to an upper cervical spine chiropractor and have him check that your C1 and C2 vertebrae are in the correct alignment (as well as your other vertebrae). You may also need to see a massage therapist to get the muscles and fascia limbered up. When all is in proper alignment and working sommothly, your tinnitus should vanish.
As you can appreciate, when you get upset, your muscles tighten and pull things out of proper alignment again–and there is your tinnitus. But at least you now know how to deal with it.
Cordially,
Neil
I hope really you can help me, I have this tinnitus for 7 years, it use to be really bad but has lowered but still the noise tenses my body up really bad because it’s a low noise. If I move my jaw back and forward it changes pitch and if i stretch my tongue I can feel tension in my jaw and it changes pitch aswell. I don’t know we’re to go and what to do! I am so tired of it now I want to rest.
Hi Tracy:
I have a few questions for you so I can understand your situation.
What caused your tinnitus to start 7 years ago? Any ideas?
Are you a high-strung person? And do you have tight neck/shoulder muscles? Or any tendency to temporomandibular dysfunction problems? How abotu 7 years ago as well?
From what you describe, I’d say you have some form of somatosensory tinnitus. This is probably due to some hyperstimulated nerves in your head/neck.
If I have assessed your situation correctly, then there are some things you can consider.
1. See an upper cervical chiropractor to be sure your cervical vertebrae are in proper alignment. Ask about your TMJ and make sure it is in proper alignment.
2. If your muscles in your face/neck/shoulders are tight–see a massage therapist to get them relaxed.
3. Work on calming yourself down. You need to do this before or at the same time you are calming down your hyperstimulated nerves. This can take a couple of years depending on various factors. I can put you in touch with some experts who have done this for themselves so they know how to help you in this area.
Cordially,
Neil
Good morning, Dr, N, Bauman, my name is Roxanne, and I am having a terrible tinnitus for two years without stopping ,all day long It is impossible to live like this.
I can feel it in my head not only in my years.
My audition is very good but I usually have high pressure and I am taking Valsartan 160 gr every morning. When I am in bed my tinnitus is worse. I cannot think nor concentrate well. i have done a treatment on my ATM bud did not improve.
Thank you so mucg! Sincerely Roxanne
Hi Roxanne:
How long have you been taking the Valsartan? Was this before your tinnitus began or after? If your tinnitus began AFTER you began the Valsartan, it is likely that this drug is causing your tinnitus.
If it’s not the Valsartan, then explain what was going on in your life 2 years ago that might have caused the tinnitus.
Cordially,
Neil
Hello Dr. Neil. I too have had the moving tongue tinnitus for as long as I can remember. I am 60 yrs old and notice this especially when in the car listening to my radio. When pushing my tongue over my two front teeth, I get this amazing stereo like sound in my ears. Annoying but cool. Thanks
Mike
How interesting I also have the ear ringing when I move my tongue up towards my nose or any side.
I also have more louder ringing when I move my jaw. How much do you think tongue tie has to do with it?
Hi Karla:
Cool. You’re only the second person I have run across that has this.
I think your moving-tongue tinnitus is tied to your tinnitus from moving your jaw. If your jaw is out of proper alignment (or your neck and associated muscles in face and neck), when you move your jaw or clench your teeth, you can hear your tinnitus louder. This is called somatic tinnitus. I think your moving-tongue tinnitus is an extension of this.
If you get your jaw properly aligned as well as your neck vertebrae and muscles relaxed, its quite likely it will all go away. The person that will do this the best is an upper cervical chiropractor.
Cordially,
Neil
I also have ringing in my ears, but when I move my tongue upward over my frount teeth, the noise gets louder. Just really annoying.
Hi Mary:
That’s the way it can be. Moving tongue tinnitus is one of the somatosensory tinnitus experiences. Thanks for the report.
Cordially,
Neil
I also have louder ringing in ears when I move my tongue upward on my frount teeth.
Hello doc!!more power thank to you,i’m robert from philippines, in same case doc i’ve heared ringing in my right ear when i move my jaw to left even my head move to leftside ringing get louder and some pain in my right shoulder too, almost 6 months ago doc,thank you so much hope you can help me too!!
Hi Robert:
What you have is called somatic (somatosensory) tinnitus. You get this because your spine, temporomandibular joint etc. are out of proper alignment. And this can also happen when you muscles and tendons/ligaments are too tight and pull your jaw and vertebrae out of place.
Normally, you’d go to an upper cervical chiropractor (or a conventional chiropractor if there isn’t any upper cervical chiropractor available) and a massage therapist to get things in proper alignment again–and these symptoms should disappear.
Cordially,
Neil
Hi Dr Bauman,
My left ear rings when i move my ears back and then I can stop it when I move them back again. Originally i only heard it when i was laying down and mostly in the morning. I have had MRI, TMJ, etc done. Nothing comes up. I will not have it for a week and then I will have it for days. It is mild but I find it very interesting that it comes and goes. That I can wiggle my ears and it stops. I thought it was medication I was on. I stopped that. It started back in October of last year. Thoughts?
Hi Danielle:
What you have, at least in my opinion, is a bit of somatic (body) tinnitus. I’m curious whether you can also change your tinnitus by clenching your teeth or turning your head all the way left or right.
If so, the top vertebrae in your neck are likely a bit out of alignment.
Is your neck or jaw “tight” at times?
What happened back in October–have any neck/jaw problems or whiplash or head trauma of any kind?
Cordially,
Neil
Wow! I just noticed yesterday that my tinnitus (which first began about 6-8 years ago), increases sharply in just my right ear when I extend my tongue forward and up, between my lip and upper front incisors.
It’s so strange that there’s 2 others who commented about a similar moving-tongue effect.
Thanks for the suggestions on the neck alignment. I realized when reading that the onset of my tinnitus coincided with the aggravation of my cervical spine arthritis and disk degeneration.
I just found this after a google search for ears ringing when I stick my tongue out. I’ve noticed that I have low grade ear ringing a decent amount of the day, but if I stick my tongue straight out it gets much louder, and very very loud if I stick my tongue out and upward. Slight increase if I move it to the left in the mouth but not the right, no differences if I turn my head side to side or clench my teeth.
THIS IS CRAZY! After googling ‘light ringing in right ear when pushing on silver fillings’ this thread came up and it explains soooo much for me. The harder pressure I exert with my tongue the louder the ringing gets. I never realized i probably have tinnitus of some sort until now at 25 years old. It’s different usually everyday just slightly, but it’s always there. I do believe it has some sort of correlation with my back pain because recently and right now both are pretty rough dealing with.
Hi Scotty:
It makes sense that the harder you push or the further you move your tongue, the louder your tinnitus gets.
If your neck and shoulders are tight–then this may be the cause of your moving-tongue tinnitus. Going to a chiropractor or massage therapist and getting all the muscles relaxed very likely may let this strange kind of tinnitus go away.
Cordially,
Neil
It appears from this thread I may have somatic tinnitus but it’s starting to drive me batty anxious. I’ve had it since 2012 and it’s become much louder in both ears i’ve had physical therapy and muscular this for Physical Therapy for years. I cannot get in a position where it will go away but is certainly the loudest when I stick my jaw forward. The last person I saw said I have adhesions in my neck but it seems impossible to get these adhesions loosened . I’m wondering if I need some sort of decompression surgery ? I had an AC DF of my six and seven vertebrae and 2016. The tonight us is extremely high pitched.No heart thumping . I did have my B 12 checked recently and it was at 210 . My neurologist didn’t think that was a concern though I had lost 30 pounds in the last year and I have had terrible fatigue. I’m now on B12 shots every two weeks last 2 months-so far no help on the tinnitus.Thank you for your time.
Hi Anne:
Since massage therapy hasn’t worked, perhaps you should try chiropractic treatment either alone or in conjunction with massage therapy to get things all loosened up and in proper alignment.
Personally, I wouldn’t have decompression surgery or another Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (AC DF). This just makes things more immovable and thus more prone to somatic tinnitus. I’d opt for either conventional chiropractic treatment or even better, upper cervical spine chiropractic treatment from these special kind of chiropractors.
Cordially,
Neil
Wow I’ve had this horrible ringing for 20 years. After reading this it just shows all the times at ear throat and nose, could never help, said all the above, and no one ever said somatic tinnitus.
This seems to be right on key with the tinnitus I’m experiencing. Mouth movements and touching my face alters the pitch and tone. Going on two months now.
Doctor Bauman
I have ringing in my right ear. 45 years ago I was in the Army as an Artillery man but was very diligent in wearing ear protection. I haven’t had an issue with tinnitus until about 3 years ago. Sometimes my brain has gotten used it and I am nor conscious of it. When it gets louder I move my tongue forward and up over my front teeth or to either side for 20-30 seconds and the volume increases and then when I retract my tongue the sound is subdued and at a higher less noticeable frequency. It usually gives 5 or more minutes of relief. Coincidentally this problem started maybe 6 months after neck adjustments by a chiropractor at first intermittently and then most of the time. Any thoughts?
Hi Allan:
I think your chiropractic treatment put your neck vertebrae out of whack instead of properly aligning them. If it were me, I’d go to an upper cervical spine chiropractor, not a conventional chiropractor, and get my top vertebrae put into proper alignment again. There is a good chance that your moving tongue tinnitus will then go away.
Cordially,
Neil
Thanks so much. But it was an upper cervical spine chiropractor. Specifically, a technique called I believe ortho spineology specializing in the upper neck. Fortunately he helped with whip lash I had years previously (boxing, parachuting) but tinnitus resulted. Physically I feel better. In his technique he takes measurements from xrays And uses an instrument in which has dialed a specific amount of force and direction to move the vertebrae. I will go back to him and see what can be done. Thanks so much. Allan
Hi Allan:
Upper cervical chiropractors come in about 9 flavors. Some of them use “machines”, basically accelerators to bump the vertebrae into place. They don’t know how much they’ve moved the vertebra because they can’t feel it–so unless they take before and after xrays, they may have moved you too far or not far enough and this resulted in tinnitus.
So maybe its time for another x-ray and see how your neck is aligned.
I am partial to the Blair method because they just use their hands and can feel how much any bone moves.
Incidentally, the NUCCA accelerators are so noisy on your vertebra that I think they can cause tinnitus–the one I tried sure was noisy–but it did the job. I’m not complaining there, just about the noise/shock wave that hits your ear via bone conduction.
I would have gone to a Blair guy, but there wasn’t one within 200 miles of me so I went to a NUCCA guy. Your spinology guy seems to use the same kind of equipment as the NUCCA.
Cordially,
Neil
Thank you Dr. Neil.
I will take your advice. You have given tremendous insight. Allan
My google search was: “tinnitus sticking out tongue” because I just discovered the tinnitus goes harder if I do that, out and straight up to the nose. And the head turning works also on one side.
Hi Adorabelle:
I’m finding out that moving tongue tinnitus is more common than first thought. It is related to all the others somatosensory types of tinnitus that use the non-classical pathways to send signals to the auditory parts of your brain.
Cordially,
Neil
Hi I also have tinnitus that I can make louder by pressing on certain muscles around my head. When I move my tongue around or tense my throat I can also make my ears click
I recently got tinnitus after moving s bunch of heavy stuff. If i put hot water on my neck it goes away. Yoga and jogging also make it go away temporarily. Would u recommend a chiropractor?
Also if i rub my eyes the ringing in my ears changes. And its worse when i lay on my back. Neurologist said nothing can be done.
Hi Brendon:
Your neurologist sure doesn’t know much does he? Yes, I’d head for a chiropractor–an upper cervical chiropractor would be ideal–and make sure you are all properly aligned. That should take care of your problem.
It could be that your trigeminal nerve is also pinched–hence the rubbing around your eyes changes your tinnitus.
And laying on your back can put pressure on certain nerves and change the tinnitus. It sounds like your vertebrae are out of “whack” to use a fancy medical term.
Cordially,
Neil
I too have a ringing in my left ear when I move my tongue higher in to the my two front teeth. I’ve never said anything to anyone about it, because I thought they would think I was crazy. So glad to hear it’s not just me. I also have ringing in my ear when it’s extremely quit. I just stick a cotton ball in there and it seems to help. Definitely going to get this book.
Hi Penny:
I’m finding out this is more common than you’d think it was.
Trying to block tinnitus with a cotton ball is not the right way. By blocking out sounds, you can actually make your tinnitus worse. Much better to just put on a background sound for your ears to listen to. This will help you stop focusing on your tinnitus. You want to ignore your tinnitus, not focus on it.
Cordially,
Neil
Hi Dr Bauman, My son has tinnitus, four frequencies in the middle of his head. Hearing test normal but some mild optic nerve atrophy. He also has neuropathy (severe sensory > autonomic n damage) with pain and body numbness and dysautonomia with a lot of symptoms (eg high standing pulse, sweating, light sensitivity, severe insomnia, fatigue, air hunger, cognitive issues). Very healthy other than atypical migraines (first one hemiplegic leading to discovery of a posterior fossa cyst) prior to kick to mouth playing soccer which may have triggered illness.
The tinnitus started year later after a second head injury that also made him much worse eg standing heart rate increased significantly (HR 135 from 100 and in 60’s lying down and onset of widespread autonomic failure)
He has seen a lot of folks eg osteopath and body worker with no improvement. He is so sick, lying in bed all day because he feels so much worse standing up and very discouraged. No one seems able to help.
Neurology has no suggestions after trying some meds that made him or his pulse worse.
Took him to a wholistic dentist last week who said there’s no occult infection and has severe tongue tie. Spoke to Dr Kaplan, in her office that day, who said he has seen releasing tongue tie relieve tinnitus. She wondered if ALF, dental appliance, to help move bones in head would help overall. She recommended NUCCA. He does have jaw popping since second head injury.
He also has low copper which is a big mystery, separate issue or same …. causing neuropathy ? Can’t find anyone to help with that one either if you have come across someone. Maybe he has two problems here.
Any suggestions greatly appreciated. So hard to see someone suffer this much.
Meg
Hi Meg:
It sounds like your son now has global sensory sensitivity among other issues. Global hypersensitivity is where you perceive all stimuli, whether they be visual, auditory, olfactory (smell), gustatory (taste) or tactile (touch) and pain as greatly increased in their perceived intensity.
Since he has suffered at least two head traumas, going to a NUCCA chiropractor and making sure all his spine (and jaw) are properly aligned could do wonders for him (if this is his basic underlying problem).
Copper is one of those trace minerals that are essential to good health. The best source of copper is beef liver. Just 4 oz will give you the daily RDA for copper. Cashews and sunflower seeds are also high in copper. a quarter cup of these a day will give around 25% of the RDA.
As for where to start. Personally, I’d go to an upper cervical spine chiropractor (NUCCA is one “version” of these special chiropractors) and make sure his spine is in proper alignment. Once that is taken care of, then see what conditions are still left.
Cordially,
Neil
Thank you so much for replying!!!!!
Will contact NUCCA provider. I found one Blair person an hour fifteen minutes away. Worth drive? Hard for him but if better could try.
I didnt mention for four months he took 8 mg copper citrate and glycinate for with very little change in copper level. Was able to get Copper IV 2.4 mg for four days end of May which made him sick (? Aluminum in solution) and temporarily brought Copper level into normal range and the neutrophiia /leukopenia resolved but despite oral supplementation when beginning of July, Cu level low again (not as bad -20% instead of -25%).
Anemia did not resolve but think that takes longer to resolve if Cu deficiency related right?
Now taking 12 mg a day of byglicinate and SOD type. No zinc or vitamin C supplementation
Learning Cu so
Important as cofactor and enzymes eg VEGF (also low) to repair neuro, vessels, myelin neurotransmitters, cytochrome c oxidase, etc.
So what to do about this? Reason it’s low important to pursue.
This is so hard. Appreciate your blog and helping.
P.S reading about global sensitivity.
Can realigning spine help with that as well?
This poor kiddo. Such a hit at an age where ill equipped to cope and hard to find path to healing.
Thanks again for all you are doing to help others,
Meg
Hi Meg:
Both Blair and NUCCA upper cervical chiropractors are good. I was in the same boat–Blair guy 2 or 3 hours away and NUCCA guy only 1 hour away so I went to the NUCCA guy and permanently “fixed” by vertigo with just two treatments.
So see what the NUCCA guy can do for your son as a first step.
I really don’t know whether chiropractic treatments can help global sensitivity or not. The big thing is to be sure his spine (particularly upper cervical spine) is properly aligned for good overall health as well as for correcting specific conditions.
Copper levels are affected by iron, zinc and manganese. So the ratios between these minerals is critical for good health. Also the B vitamins, sulfur and Vitamin C all bind to copper so getting everything in proper balance is necessary for good health.
This article talks about this–although it focuses on bone health–but read between the lines for health in general.
https://saveourbones.com/how-to-get-the-proper-zinc-copper-ratio-and-why-it-matters-for-your-bones-and-your-health/
Here is a good article on Copper and Zinc imbalance. https://drjockers.com/copper-zinc-imbalance/
Cordially,
Neil
Hi Dr Bauman, I wonder if you can help me, I too have had an MRi scan, blood tests and multiple courses of tablets from antibiotics to motion sickness tablets.
I have been suffering with both vertigo and Tinnitus for over a year. I also feel an immense pressure in my head of a morning when I wake up and occasionally when I’m sitting relaxing (although never get any pain just the feeling of pressure like on an airplane) but once I’m up and about it’s not so bad. My doctors are unable to identify the issue but it sounds like, having stumbled across this thread, I have the Moving-Tongue Tinnitus you speak of as when I stick out my tongue it gets louder. Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated as I’m not sure of the next steps but have thought of going private to try and identify what is causing these issues.
Kind Regards Glen
Hi Glen:
What happened a year ago that might have caused the tinnitus and vertigo? Any head trauma? Or viral infection? or?
Are your neck/shoulders “tight”?
My first thought is that your C1 and C2 vertebrae in you neck are out of proper alignment. If so, that can cause tinnitus and vertigo among other things.
To correct this, if I were you, I’d go to an upper cervical chiropractor (NOT a conventional one). Since you are in the UK, there are not very many such chiropractors. I only know of three.
If you go to http://www.upcspine.com/prac3.asp?rid=3&r=Europe&sid=84&s=ENGLAND&cid=6&c=UNITED%20KINGDOM you can see the listings for these three upper cervical chiropractors.
Cordially,
Neil
Thanks so Much Dr Bauman, I will look into this. I took a blow to the centre top of my head with a hammer (very little damage externally and no concussion so this was ruled out quite quickly) and I do suffer with regular sinusitis.
Additionally my neck and shoulders are also very tight, I often catch myself tensing/ hunching up.
I really appreciate your advice and the link.
Thank you again.
Glen
Thank you for this article!
Best from France
Thank you so very much for pointing me in the right direction to get relief from what’s happening in my neck and tongue. I have not seen a upper cervical spine chiropractic yet but after reading all these letters and your knowledgeable responds to them I know I have finally found the answer I have been looking for for all these years about my tongue, neck and head problem with this horrible illness.
I really wish it was possible that you could make sure before you leave this life that it is world wide because it seems like you were surprised to find so many people are suffering from this same problem and so many people go to the wrong kind of doctors seeking help just like I have and I am one of the lucky ones because I have good insurance to cover the cost , and most of these cases are caused by force trauma to the head or neck.
Thank you so very much from all of us who needs your help to help us get the right kind of help. May God continue to help you help others and we all thank God for putting some one in this medical field to help us and just think of all the children that needs your help in this matter.
Please keep up the good work that you may well be the one that really can help point us in the right direction . Again I say , thank you sincerely your forever friend ,brother and patient.
Hi Dr Bauman.
I’ve been having this weird vibration sound like a hum in my right ear for a few years now. Outside sounds and touching my face triggers it. I can stop it by also touching (tapping my face) and clicking my tongue on the roof of my mouth. I do have a stiff neck and back problems. I have seen a physiotherapist and do clinical pilates for my back. Of late the humming sound has been bad. It’s not loud but it’s annoying and I have trouble sleeping. It’s gets me down. I have seen and ear nose and throat specialist and had scans and hearing tests etc but nothing found. I don’t know what to do.
Paola
Hi Paola:
If it is a pure humming sound, that is one of the many tinnitus sounds people hear. If it is a vibration that produces the humming sound, then you have a different kind of tinnitus called somatosensory tinnitus.
Since you can induce it by touching parts of your face, and also stop it by doing the same, you definitely have some kind of somatosensory tinnitus. Often this kind of tinnitus is a result of over-activated sensory nerves in your face and neck. Getting your vertebrae and jaw properly aligned can go a long ways towards alleviating this problem. Physiotherapy on your face and neck/shoulders to relax the muscles, etc. is also important.
Chapters 9, 10 and 17 in my new book, “Take Control of Your Tinnitus” will give you a lot of insight and information on dealing with this kind of tinnitus, and Chapter 26 shows you how to control it. You can get this valuable book at https://hearinglosshelp.com/shop/take-control-of-your-tinnitus-heres-how/ .
Cordially,
Neil
Hello Dr. Bauman, im 21 y.o, my tinnitus is weird, its react on outside sound, when sound from outside is loud my T also spike, in the morning its at lowest point 1/10 but after day, in the evening it worst, like 6/10, its also react on my neck, when i change position of my tongue, jawbone, neck…What do you think please ?
Hi Ivan:
You obviously have reactive tinnitus. You can learn more about it by reading my comprehensive article on it at https://hearinglosshelp.com/blog/reactive-tinnitus/ .
In addition, you have somatosensory tinnitus. The former is probably due to exposing your ear to excessively loud sounds, while the latter is probably due to your neck/jaw/shoulders being out of proper alignment. Thus the two are not related to each other, but the somatosensory component makes your reactive tinnitus even worse.
Seeing a chiropractor and/or massage therapist to get your vertebrae etc. properly aligned and your muscles relaxed at the same time can go a long ways to getting the somatosensory tinnitus under control.
The above article, or even better, getting my book at https://hearinglosshelp.com/shop/hypersensitive-to-sound/ , will help you more. (Get the eBook version as postage overseas is ridiculously expensive and is more than the cost of the book.)
Cordially,
Neil
Greetings Dr Bauman!
I just noticed this today…I have suffered with Tinnitus (high pitched tone in the upper right quadrant) for many years now. I have no changes in pitch or intensity while moving my neck, jaw or any other part of my body, except when I move my tongue to cover my Left Lateral Incisor…which I am missing. I have a bridge…But no other position in my mouth does it change….
I also suffer from tongue moving tinnitus. I have constant noise in my left ear (not as loud in my right) and when I move my tongue up to the left the noise gets louder in my right ear. Moving my tongue up to the right changes the frequency in my left ear 🤷♀️
Is it better now? I have just the same and it is driving me nuts. If it is better now than what did you do? Thank you
Hello! It’s weird for me. I can feel the vibrations in my mouth, and it started by moving my tongue, now whenever I move my head I can slightly hear it in my right ear.
Hi Kent:
Where exactly are the vibrations coming from–your soft palate? Or where?
How would you describe the sounds sound you hear in your right ear?
Cordially,
Neil
I have ringing in my left ear all the time, if I put my tongue up to roof of mouth and make it go back pushing up on left side of roof of mouth, I get some relief, I have only been able to do this whilst laid down before sleep not able to obtain the silence by doing as explained above during daytime active hours, do you have any suggestions how to enable this without being laid down. ThankYou
Hi Paula:
I suspect your upper cervical vertebrae are out of proper alignment and thus causing your moving tongue tinnitus.
When you lay down, it takes pressure off your vertebrae (your backbone doesn’t have to hold your head up) so it also takes the pressure of the nerve that is activated causing moving tongue tinnitus. When you get up, the weight of your head pinches that nerve again and thus you can’t quieten your tinnitus.
Thus, I think that going to an upper cervical chiropractor would be the first thing I’d do and get your vertebrae all in proper alignment.
Cordially,
Neil
Hi Dr Neil,
I don’t have tinnitus but sounds in my ear and the sensation that I have some movement. I don’t experience this problem every day but every other day.
I can move my Tongue and produce sounds in my left ear. I started to experience this problem after Myofascial or TMD.
I went to see several doctors without any help.
I read your book and went to see an upper cervical chiropractor but did not help.
Thank you
Hi Hypatia:
When you get tinnitus after having myofascial massage or TMD adjustments, one of two things has happened. Either your practitioner did something/moved something that irritated certain nerves resulting in somatosensory tinnitus, or the treatment temporarily hyperstimulated certain nerves and the tinnitus will go away as the nerves calm down.
Did your upper cervical chiropractor take precision xrays and show you on them that your cervical vertebrae were in proper alignment. You want to see that. And did he do before and after xrays so you know his adjustments worked?
If your nerves in question are hyperstimulated, it can take time (months) for them to calm down. If you are stressed or an anxious person in the first place, you need to calm down before you can get your tinnitus under control.
Cordially,
Neil
Yes the chiropractor tool x-rays of before and after and told me that I am improving. He also passes a machine on my neck in the back to see if I actually need an adjustment and only works on my spine if is not aligned.
Yes you are correct if I go to a massage in my face I do have intensive tinnitus the next day. I am careful and keep a diary on all the changes but what I don’t understand is:
-Why I only experiment tinnitus after getting up from bed and the next day it goes away or becomes a zzz sound that can stop after a shower with a lot of pressure in my head. I wonder if I need to pay attention to everything that I do that day.
-Why moving my tongue or my jaw or torching my face creates a sound in my ear? do I have a nerve or a muscle that is pinch? where do I go to get a clinical study or CT or something that can help me? No doctor wants to study my case.
-Some days I also have movement inside the ear a condition call MEM. I can’t go to a doctor for a test because some days I don’t have the problem.
– I am doing TMJ physical therapy now and I hope to improve.
This is going on for 4 years and has not improved a lot.
If you have any suggestions please let me know.
Hi Hypatia:
I’m curious why your tinnitus is so bad the next day after having massage therapy. It almost seems that the particular massage therapy you are receiving isn’t calming the nerves/muscles down. Have you tried a different massage therapist? Or asking your existing one to do things differently to not cause you tinnitus to flare up?
If your tinnitus is worse when you get up each morning and then fades away as the day goes on, then I suspect your pillow is not the right one for your neck and is pinching certain nerves. It is either too high or too low to support your cervical spine in a straight line and not let it sag.
Middle ear myoclonus (MEM) is a more general term that includes Tonic Tensor Tympani Syndrome (TTTS) which is the specific middle ear condition you have. Your eardrum goes into spasm that you feel.
This too can be caused by your neck vertebrae being out of proper alignment, coupled with anxiety. So learning to calm your anxiety can often let the TTTS fade away.
Basically, you have some nerves in your neck, face and shoulders that are hyperstimulated and are stuck that way. You need to calm them down. So much of this is due to anxiety–being in “fight or flight” mode, which also tenses up the muscles and this can pull your neck vertebrae out of proper alignment.
Thus treatment needs to be done both physically and psychologically to calm everything down at the same time. This can take a good number of months, but it is worth it in the end.
Cordially,
Neil
Hello dr. Hope you are in a good shape. I have tinnitus that changes sound when i move my tongue to the right and when i open my mouth wide. And also when i move my neck to left. How can i treat it with your book ? Which pages and chapters can help me
Hi Yousif:
You have somatosensory tinnitus.
If you are referring to the 8th edition of my tinnitus book, Chapter 9 tells about the various manifestations of somatosensory tinnitus and Chapter 26 gives the various treatments you can try to eliminate it.
Cordially,
Neil
I saw one of your comments about that chapter 20 has the effective treatments. So should i focus on chapter 26 or 20 for the treatment?
Hi Yousif:
There are a number of kinds of tinnitus and the treatment for each can be specific to that kind of tinnitus. Chapter 26 is specific to somatosensory tinnitus as it treats the underlying physical causes.
In contrast, Chapter 20 is a general psychological treatment that is mainly applicable to the neurophysiological kinds of tinnitus to help you habituate to your tinnitus that is commonly due to stress and anxiety.
So if you are anxious about your ears and that makes your tinnitus worse, Chapter 20 will help that no matter what kind of tinnitus you have, but it will not correct the underlying causes of somatosensory tinnitus. That’s where Chapter 26 comes in.
Cordially,
Neil
By chiropractic do you mean the manipulation and cracking of the discs or what exactly should the chiropractor do for this case ? Because i need to explain to my chiropractor the exact mission and what to do ?
Hi Yousif:
Yes, that is what chiropractors do. I can’t tell you what the chiropractor should do–you tell him your symptoms and let him decide what to do. I’m not a chiropractor so can’t tell you what adjustments will work. You just want him to properly align your spine–especially in your neck and upper back. How he does it is up to him.
Cordially,
Neil
Hi. I have tinnitus and my tinnitus tone changes when i open my mouth widely and also when i move my neck to certain positions. And i also have tight neck and shoulder. Can u resolve it by my self using your book? Because i dont have upper cervical specialist in my city. Can i heal my self by the book you provided for tinnitus. Can you please explain what to do ?
Hi Muhammed:
Since you don’t have an upper cervical chiropractor, the next best is to go to a conventional chiropractor and tell him your symptoms and see what he can do for you. You could also try a massage therapist at the same time and together they could get rid of the tightness and hopefully that would allow your tinnitus to fade away. This is not something you can do yourself.
I take it that your tinnitus isn’t noticeable except when you more your head/neck etc. So it doesn’t bother you when you are sitting still or walking, etc. Is this correct?
Cordially,
Neil
Actually i can hear my tinnitus all the time. Walking sitting or doing anything. As i said i can change the sound of it by moving my jaw forward or open my mouth or when i move my neck to the left. Also when i move my tongue to the right.
So how can your book help me and what chapters should i read ? And does the book teach how to cure it by myself or it has to be by someone like therapists
Hi Muhammed:
If you are referring to the 8th edition of my tinnitus book, Chapter 9 tells about the various manifestations of somatosensory tinnitus and Chapter 26 gives the various treatments you can try to eliminate it. Typically, you need outside help to get rid of somatosensory tinnitus.
However, for your physiologic tinnitus, you can often successfully deal with it yourself. Chapters 20 and 21 would be a good place to start. They show you one of the main things you need to do, and you can do this all yourself.
Cordially,
Neil
Hi Muhammed:
If you can hear your tinnitus all the time and it just gets momentarily worse when you move, then you most likely have both the neurophysiologic kind of tinnitus, with the somatosensory tinnitus piled on top.
Cordially,
Neil
So what do you recommend me to do ? Which chapters should i read ? And what exactly i should do please
Hi Muhammed:
Why don’t you sit down and ready and study the whole book. Then you will have a good idea of the various kinds of tinnitus and what reasonable treatments are for each kind. Then you can try whatever therapies you think will help you the most–some cost big dollars, some are free.
Cordially,
Neil
And i dont have hearing loss so what should i do please
Hi Muhammed:
You don’t have to have a hearing loss in order to have tinnitus, but it is far more common in people that do have a hearing loss.
How do you know you don’t have a hearing loss–you could have a high frequency hearing loss up there where they don’t check your hearing or hidden hearing loss sometimes called cochlear synaptopathy. Those can also cause tinnitus even though they give you a clean bill of health regarding your hearing.
Furthermore, you can have up to 25 dB of hearing loss and they still call it normal hearing–but your brain knows the difference and thus you can have tinnitus anyway.
In any case, you basically treat tinnitus the same whether you have hearing loss or not.
Cordially,
Neil
Can you explain what neurophysiologic And how it can cause tinnitus
Hi Muhammed:
There are two basic kinds of tinnitus–neurophysiologic and somatosensory. The former has to do with tinnitus forming in the auditory system, and the latter is where tinnitus forms outside the auditory system.
I just need to know which chapter both kind of tinnitus located in the book as a treatment?
Hi Muhammed:
The neurophysiological kind of tinnitus is explained in chapters 1-8, and 11-17 and treatments are explained in chapters 18-34 minus chapter 26.
Somatosensory kind of tinnitus is explained in chapters 9 and 10 and treatments are explained in chapter 26.
As I said, you need to read the whole book to really understand your tinnitus.
Cordially,
Neil
Hi. I have tinntius and it changes the sound when i move my jaw or open my mouth or when especially when i flex my head muscles or when i tention my head muscles on purpose. What should i do and what should i read from your book. Thanks
Hi Omar:
When you have tinnitus that gets worse when you move your head and neck, you have somatosensory tinnitus, which may be piggybacked on the more common neurophysiological tinnitus, or may stand on its own.
Typical treatments can be chiropractic, massage and dental (if you have TMJ problems).
You can read about this kind of tinnitus in chapter 9 and treatments for it in chapter 26 of the 8th edition of my book “Take Control of Your Tinnitus–Here’s How”.
Cordially,
Neil
Thank you. What does it indicate that when i flex my head muscles and squeezes my head muscles it gets louder. ? What is is thus type and why it happens?
Hi Omar:
When you can change your tinnitus by moving or tensing muscles in your head and neck, it means that certain nerves are hyperstimulated or pinched and thus your muscles, tendons, fascia do not relax. That is why chiropractic treatment of your neck and shoulder vertebrae take the tension off the nerves so they work normally again. If your muscles are “tight” their nerves send extraneous signals to the base of your brain where they are interpreted as sounds and you hear them as tinnitus. That is why chiropractic and massage treatments get things properly aligned and relaxed so this does not happen.
Cordially,
Neil
So if i have pinched nerve it can also be treated by massage and chiropractor or i might need surgery?
Hi Omar:
Pinched nerves in your neck/back are best treated by chiropractic treatments, NOT by surgery.
Cordially,
Neil
Thank you so much. I have sinus and i just want to make sure my tinnitus is not due sinus Or nasal hypertrophy. How can i make sure of that to start your advice that you commented to omar?
Hi Ammar:
If your tinnitus changes when you move your neck, then you know that chiropractic treatments should help that aspect of your tinnitus. This would have nothing to do with tinnitus caused by sinus problems if they come from allergies, etc.
Cordially,
Neil
I also can change it when i move my tongue and feel tenderness on my muscles in the cheek so i think its muscular because i have done cbct of my jaw joint and they are placed alright with no problem but i can still change the sound by moving the jaw or opening the mouth
Hey there. I have the same problem as one of the people who commented recently .. i have constant tinnitus. My tinnitus pitch changes when i flex my head muscles and neck muscles. Also when i open my mouth or when i move my neck to the left and when i move my jaw to the right the sound increases. I What should i do
Hi Ammar:
Read my reply to Omar on Sept 5, 2023. I’d give you exactly the same advice.
Cordially,
Neil
Thank you. I have sinus and i want to make sure that sinus is not causing me tinnitus so i can focus on neck and shoulders. How should i know if my sinus is causing me tinnitus ?
Hi Ammar:
If sinus problems are causing your tinnitus, your tinnitus won’t change when you turn your neck, etc.
Furthermore, if sinus problems affect your hearing causing a temporary hearing loss, then you can assume that it is also causing your tinnitus since tinnitus often accompanies hearing loss. When your sinuses clear up, then your tinnitus should go away as your hearing returns.
Cordially,
Neil
Hi. I have tinnitus type which changes only when i move my head to the very left and also have tight shoulder on left with a trigger point on my left shoulder. And when i stretch my neck to the right it increases so i feel like its the muscles on the left side of my neck and shoulder because the sound does not change when i move my head to the right. What is the solution for my case in details please ?
Hi Ukasha:
When you have somatosensory tinnitus, my advice is always the same–chiropractic treatments and massage therapy are the most effective. You need all your vertebrae in proper alignment and the muscles that are tight need to be relaxed. That should do the job. And if you are anxious and high-strung, you need to learn to relax so you don’t tighten up your muscles again.
These are the kinds of therapies you need that get rid of most causes of somatosensory tinnitus.
Cordially,
Neil
Hi im having bad days because of my tinnitus which changes by having sudden stressful event or when i talk in a stressful way or shout or be angry. Which cause me tenion and cause increased tinnitus suddenly after. What to do please i need help
Hi Khalid:
The solution should be obvious. You need to remain calm. Stress, anxiety, etc cause tinnitus to flare up in many people. You seem to have an extreme example of it, in that it reacts almost immediately.
You want to avoid strong negative emotions (anger, etc.) and learn how to deal with stressful situations. For example, you can learn to do calming breathing exercises–and then do them whenever you are beginning to be stressed, angry, etc.
A very simple one that you can do anywhere and any time is what they call “box breathing” where you slowly breathe in to the count of 4 (or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 depending on your lung capacity at the time), then hold your breath to the count of 4, then breathe out to the count of four, then hold your breath to the count of four, then repeat this cycle. If you do it for even a couple of minutes you will find yourself calming down. You shouldn’t have to do it longer than 5 or 10 minutes when such situations arise.
Tinnitus is a psychosomatic condition so your negative emotions are a large part of what makes your tinnitus worse.
Cordially,
Neil
Hello there ! I have tinnitus which i think is due my jaw and neck because whenever i open my mouth the ringing increases and when i strech my neck to the right i feel like it increases But the most one is when i move my jaw forward or open my mouth thats where it gets really loud. Orthodontist told me i have misaligned jaw joint. Could this be the cause ?
Hi Rodregez:
Yes, a TMJ problem could very well be the cause of your tinnitus. Or a pinched nerve in your neck.
You may have two kinds of tinnitus–the steady tinnitus you normally have, and then somatosensory tinnitus that acts up when you move your head or jaw. Getting your jaw and/or cervical vertebrae should eliminate the somatosensory tinnitus, but you could still have tinnitus that doesn’t change with mouth positions.
Cordially,
Neil
What type of tinnitus is the steady one which is wothout opening the mouth ?
Hi Rodregez:
There are three basic classes of tinnitus. The one you are wanting to know the name of has the fancy name of neurophysiologic tinnitus, but often just called “tinnitus”, as opposed to somatosensory tinnitus (the kind that you get when you move your head, neck, mouth, etc) and pulsatile tinnitus which is not tinnitus at all but is a somatosound (although I’ll bet it will be called pulsatile tinnitus “forever”.
Cordially,
Neil
So please what is way to fix the neurophysiological tinnitus? And what are the ways of fixing the somatic tinnitus? Please guide me step by step please
Hi Roderegez:
Your first step is to learn about tinnitus. I have written more than 100 articles related to tinnitus and below these articles are hundreds and hundreds of questions and my replies. This will give you a wealth of information on tinnitus and how to successfully deal with it.
In addition my book on tinnitus gives you all this information in a logical order. It will answer your questions and guide you in successfully dealing with your tinnitus.
So first, you need to educate yourself on tinnitus, then put into practice the various things I teach about successfully dealing with your tinnitus.
Once you have done your homework, then you can ask specific questions about your tinnitus that I can answer. Right now it’s like you are asking me to help you fix your car, but I don’t know what make, model, year of your car, nor what is wrong with it. I need to know MUCH more about your tinnitus before I can really help you.
Cordially,
Neil
Ok can you tell me which section of your book is the somatic and the neurophysiological tinnitus treatments? What chapters?
Hi Rodregez:
I explain somatosensory tinnitus in Chapter 9 while Chapter 26 explains various treatments for it.
I explain about neurophysiological tinnitus in the rest of the book apart from Chapter 10 that explains Somatosounds such as pulsatile tinnitus.
I’d recommend reading Chapters 20 and 21 as a place to start in getting your neurophysiological tinnitus under control. Chapters 22 to 34 (apart from Chapter 26) explain various kinds of tinnitus treatments you might consider trying for neurophysiological tinnitus.
Cordially,
Neil
hello there , i have ringing in the ear which is constant and also changes with jaw and neck movement
i also have a history of anixty and stress
. my first question is 1- does it mean its somatic since it changes with certain movement or its not always the case ?
2- while my tinnitus is constant does it mean its neuropsychological also?
3- what is the treatment ways for both types ? and what chapters in your book is the treatment pages for both ?
4- what is the ways that you suggest me to do for both ?
Hi Nate:
You probably have both kinds of tinnitus–your background neurophysiological tinnitus and it is made worse when you do certain head movements (that would be the somatosensory component). So yes, I’d say you have both kinds.
See my reply to Rodregez for the answers to your other questions.
Cordially,
Neil
So what is the main tinnitus i have ? And how come i have both ? And what should i do
So its the neurological tinnitus which is changing with the jaw movements right ? Or its the somatic one ? How is it possible that i have both ?
Hi Nate:
I can’t tell which is your main tinnitus. You haven’t told me much about your tinnitus, how it started, what made it worse, etc., etc.
Besides, who said there is a main tinnitus–it depends on what caused both kinds and how bad they are. The one that bothers you the most would be your “main” kind.
It is the somatosensory tinnitus that changes with body movements.
What makes you think you can’t have both kinds at the same time? Many people do, including me at times.
Cordially,
Neil
When i move my tongue out of my mouth and move it to the very right my tinnitus increases and also i feel pain and tension in my left side of my jaw Also when i open my mouth widely it increase and when i move my neck to the left it also increases. What is the possible cause and what do u recommend me to do or read from ur book which chapter . Please explain to me in details im having bad days 🙁
Hi Bryan:
When you can cause tinnitus or make existing tinnitus louder when moving parts of your body–typically head, neck and jay movements, that indicates you have somatosensory tinnitus. Often this is caused because your jaw (TMD) or cervical vertebrae are out of proper alignment and/or the nerves controlling such movements are hyper-stimulated.
You can read about it in my tinnitus book (8th edition) “Take Control of Your Tinnitus” and specifically chapters 9 and 26.
Typically, I’d first see an upper cervical chiropractor and be sure your cervical vertebrae are properly aligned. Then, a chiropractor or dentist that specializes in getting your temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ) in your jaw properly aligned. This may be all you need to do.
If your tinnitus persists, the nerves that control this various body parts may be hyperstimulated and need to calm down. This can be a problem if you are anxious and thus are not calm yourself.
Cordially,
Neil