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Can Chewing Change The Frequencies Of Ringing In Ears Due To Tinnitus?

Hello, I am 41 yr old male diagnosed with tinnitus which appears to be caused by some hearing loss (ENT says this). However, I often get numb feeling in one of my ears, and also, when I chew on something tough, my ringing (which is high pitched and CONSTANT) changes frequencies. If the ringing is made up in my brain, then how is it possible that chewing makes it change frequencies and volume? And what about the numbness? I think it might be more complicated than just some hearing loss.
posted on Fri, 14 Mar 2014
Twitter Sun, 27 Dec 2020 Answered on
Twitter Tue, 29 Dec 2020 Last reviewed on
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General Surgeon,  's  Response
Hi,

The chewing changes the pressure within the Eustachian tube being transmitted to the middle ear which has the smallest 3 bones which conduct the sound waves from eardrum to the inner ear structures. Chewing causes pressure changes in middle ear, transmitting some of the changes through bony chain hence altering the signals in the cochlear turns activating some of the hair cells related to your tinnitus hence getting enhanced or altered.

Consult a Dentist to see for any TM joint arthralgia or so and get treated for this too. Consult an ENT Surgeon again for further evaluation by MRI of mastoid and brain, Audiometry and any other tests. All these may lead to known cause to get a specific treatment.

Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. T. Chandrakant, General Surgeon
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Can Chewing Change The Frequencies Of Ringing In Ears Due To Tinnitus?

Hi, The chewing changes the pressure within the Eustachian tube being transmitted to the middle ear which has the smallest 3 bones which conduct the sound waves from eardrum to the inner ear structures. Chewing causes pressure changes in middle ear, transmitting some of the changes through bony chain hence altering the signals in the cochlear turns activating some of the hair cells related to your tinnitus hence getting enhanced or altered. Consult a Dentist to see for any TM joint arthralgia or so and get treated for this too. Consult an ENT Surgeon again for further evaluation by MRI of mastoid and brain, Audiometry and any other tests. All these may lead to known cause to get a specific treatment. Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. T. Chandrakant, General Surgeon