Teeth Grinding and Tinnitus:
How the Jaw Influences Ear Noise
Bruxism? This term isn’t immediately clear to many people. But when you talk about “teeth grinding” many recognize it in themselves - after all, up to 20 percent of people experience teeth grinding personally.
What many people don’t know, however, is that teeth grinding can also trigger or worsen tinnitus.
In fact, there is a close connection between the jaw, neck, and auditory system—especially in what is known as somatic tinnitus, which affects around 80% of tinnitus sufferers.
What is teeth grinding (bruxism)?
Bruxism is a parafunctional clenching or grinding between the upper and lower rows of teeth. This means that people who grind their teeth usually press or rub them together unconsciously. It often occurs at night, but can also happen during the day.
Typical signs include:
- strong clenching of the teeth
- application of high force (greater than during chewing)
- repeated occurrence over a longer period of time
It is estimated that up to 20% of people are affected by teeth grinding.
What are the consequences of teeth grinding?
The possible consequences of teeth grinding are diverse. It can lead to:
- wear of the tooth surfaces
- pain in the jaw joint
- tension in the neck and shoulder area
- limited jaw mobility
- tinnitus (ear noise)
Particularly important: The connection to tinnitus is often overlooked.
How are teeth grinding and tinnitus related?
Around 80% of those affected suffer from somatic tinnitus. In these cases, the main influencing factors lie in the neck, the musculoskeletal system - and also the jaw.
A characteristic feature of somatic tinnitus is that its loudness or pitch can be influenced by movement.
Studies also clearly demonstrate the link between tinnitus and the jaw. For example, they have shown that:
- adults with a dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint have up to an eightfold higher prevalence of tinnitus than adults without such a dysfunction
- in cases of one-sided tinnitus and jaw problems, the same side is often affected
It is clear, then, that tinnitus and the jaw can indeed influence each other.
Tinnitus and Stress!
Read why stress has such a strong impact on ear noise and which physical processes are involved.
What helps with teeth grinding and tinnitus?
1. Occlusal splint (bite guard)
The standard treatment at the dentist - a dental splint - protects the teeth from wear. However, it often does not eliminate the underlying cause of tinnitus.
2. Physiotherapy and exercises
Targeted exercises can help relieve tension and improve jaw function.
Exercise 1 – Controlled opening of the jaw:
The head is slightly tilted backward while one hand is placed on the lower jaw, gently pulling at the chin to create a stretch. The other hand stabilizes the forehead to prevent the head from being pulled forward.
This position should be held for about two minutes.
Exercise 2 – Lateral stretch of the jaw:
Here, the lower jaw is actively moved to the side and gently guided further with the hand, without the head turning along. The alignment can be controlled by the position of the other hand.
Here as well, the stretch should be held for about two minutes and then repeated on the other side.
Why exercises are often not enough?
Exercises can reduce tension, relieve discomfort, and help prevent worsening. However, chronic tinnitus originates in the brain and can persist even when the underlying cause is partially treated.
Modern therapy for somatic tinnitus
A new approach is ForgTin®—a specially developed medical ear hook designed for use in somatic tinnitus, which can significantly improve both the loudness of tinnitus and accompanying symptoms such as tension in the jaw area.
Learn more about ForgTin® and how it works.
When should you take action?
You should have your symptoms evaluated if:
- you regularly grind your teeth
- you have jaw pain or tension
- your tinnitus changes with movement
You are not alone with your symptoms. Especially in cases of more severe bruxism, an evaluation by a specialist is strongly recommended to prevent long-term damage.
Self-test: Is your tinnitus somatic?
Find out whether your tinnitus is related to your jaw:
Click here to take the self-test.
Support & Advice
- Free initial phone consultation → Book an appointment
- Additional exercises → ForgTin Pro App
Conclusion:
Teeth grinding and tinnitus are more closely related than many people think.
Especially in somatic tinnitus, the jaw plays a crucial role. In addition, stress is a major factor in both teeth grinding and tinnitus.
A successful treatment combines:
- analysis of underlying causes
- targeted exercises
- modern therapeutic approaches