Tinnitus for almost 12 years and found out early I could change the tinnitus noise simply by putting pressure on my jaw. It's strange one can do that but has never figured out why.

From what I have read, if you can change the pitch or volume of your T with pressure, it is suggested you see a D.O. to work on your head and C1 joint, and perhaps jaw. Something may be pressing on or affecting your aural nerve. TMJ may also be a consideration.

Thanks so much for your response - I'll start with my primary MD and see where it goes. From researching TMJ online, it doesn't appear that that is the problem but I guess my head should be examined (no telling what the MD might find up there)

Since day 1 about 7 weeks ago, I have found my left ear rings much louder when I tilt my head back or to the right... This is the weirdest affliction imaginable,, We all have this accursed ringing, but thats about the only thing that we can say we have in common much of the time.. Triggers, pitch, volume, helps, hurts, nothing seems the same for any of us... bob

I would definitely talk to your physical therapist about this phenomenon. It could definitely be linked to your neck. I'd also tell a neurologist as well. You sound like you're on to something. Best Wishes!

When I initially noticed this strange activity, I mentioned it to the therapist. She said that she knew of no physiological reason for it. It is strange I can change the volume when pressing just about anywhere on the left side of my head and turn the noise completely off when pressing just about anywhere on the right side If it wouldnt look sort of goofy, I might just walk around with my right hand up to the side of my head. At least the noise in the left ear would be gone.

Now that Ive read the reply from bebee, I tried tilting and find that when I tilt to the left the noise in the left ear goes away and when lilting to the right the noise increases but I can still turn it off when tilted to the right and touching the right side of my head. This is too weird!

Epomeo---At least you know that a long-term treatment could involve placing a vice on your head exerting pressure to the effected area!

Seriously, this kind of situation does call for you to see someone geared toward understanding the mechanics of neuro-muscular systems--an DO, chiropractor, etc.

Good luck!

I have heard the term "fixed gaze tinnitus" in which when you turn your head a certain way the tinnitus goes away. This came to mind when you mentioned tilting your head. My physical therapist would definitely say there is probably something involving your neck going on her. Im not a doctor, but my p.t. said that invariably he finds with tinnitus patients that cervical problems are many times the cause.

1. My therapist mentioned this unusual activity to an audiologist who shares the facility, she said that she had never heard of anything like this but would put it on an Audiology blog that is read by a couple thousand audiologists and let us know what feedback she gets. My next session is Tuesday Sep. 5th - maybe Ill have a positive update at that time.

Right before my tinnitus started I woke up one Sunday and the area between my shoulders in back was very sore to the touch. Very sore. Went to 2 doctors about this and they said the pain should go away. Well it didn't and finally went to another doctor and he ordered a CT scan. Came back and he said you have sinus infection. That got cleared up(many months)and as soon as I was pain free the tinnitus started. Connection?

Epomeo.
Can you be more specific on 'pressure'? With hand? Fist? Hammer (sorry)? Squeezing, fingertips? It may not work for everybody, but at least I can try

Hi Chris,
Nah, the hammer is a little extreme.. I first noticed this while doing a resistance exercise with my therapist (neck exercise) this excise simply had me place two fingers on one side of my head while pushing in that direction with my head.. As soon as I put my fingers on the right side I noticed that the constant high pitch tone in my left ear stopped. This did not happen in the right ear when touching the left side. At home that evening I experimented touching different parts of the head and found that when touching the left side the volume of the noise actually increased however, as soon as I touched the right side the noise stopped, like turning off a light bulb that quick. Also, after reading a post by bebee I found that tilting my head to the left the noise stops and tilting to the right increases the volume. The touching of the head is just that touching! I guess my use of the word pressure is misleading but it does seem that the more pressure put on the left side the higher the volume.

The tone that is being affected doing this sounds to me exactly like the tone heard when taking a hearing test in a booth, with head sets on and a button in your hand that is pushed when you hear the tone. If thats any help.

My bad ear goes almost quiet when i apply pressure, in fact I may have had t for years without noticing it before my hearing loss, because i realized a few weeks ago i have been sleeping with a suctioned ear for YEARS, it's the way i sleep... maybe unconsciously to quiet the noise.