Do you ever experience a ringing or buzzing noise in your ears? If so, you may be familiar with tinnitus, a condition that affects more than 50 million people in the United States. The perception of sound without an external source can be quite bothersome, but understanding its causes and management strategies can help you cope with this condition.
One common type of tinnitus is somatic tinnitus, which is influenced by movements in your body. For instance, contractions of your head, neck, limbs and even eye and facial movements can trigger this type of tinnitus. Somatic tinnitus affects approximately 65% of tinnitus cases.
What Factors Contribute To Somatic Tinnitus?
The somatosensory system is responsible for perceiving touch, pressure, pain and temperature inside and outside the body. While somatic tinnitus is stimulated or triggered by movements in the body, it shares similar causes as broader tinnitus.
Hearing loss, exposure to loud noise, physical trauma to the ear and certain ototoxic medications (medications that damage the hearing mechanisms of the ear) can all play a role in the development of somatic tinnitus.
Just as with broad tinnitus, the frequency and intensity of somatic tinnitus can vary from person to person, with some experiencing it infrequently and others dealing with constant ringing.
Can You Manage Somatic Tinnitus?
There is currently no known cure for tinnitus. Instead, audiological intervention generally focuses on symptom management. Managing tinnitus requires a customized approach, especially concerning somatic tinnitus.
While strategies like sound masking with hearing aids, therapy and relaxation techniques like reading or meditation classes at White Heron Sangha are effective symptom management techniques, addressing the underlying cause of somatic tinnitus is crucial. Consulting with an audiologist and neurologist can help determine the best course of action for your specific condition.
Muscular problems or temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) are two conditions that often trigger somatic tinnitus. Once diagnosed, managing the symptoms may involve techniques such as relaxing muscle tension in the jaw and neck, manual therapies, myofascial trigger point deactivation, stretching or hypnosis. These approaches aim to alleviate the symptoms associated with somatic tinnitus specifically.
Early identification of triggers and management options can significantly minimize the impact of somatic tinnitus on your daily life. Seeking guidance from trusted audiology specialists can provide valuable insight and support throughout your journey of managing somatic tinnitus. To make an appointment with one of our specialists for tinnitus management, contact M.K. Larson Audiology today.
