Tinnitus: when can the jaw and neck play a role?

Do you hear ringing, buzzing, humming or another sound without an external sound source? This may be tinnitus. Tinnitus can have different causes and contributing factors. In some people, the sound changes when they move or tense the jaw or neck. In those cases, the jaw joint, chewing muscles or neck may be part of the picture.

 

Assessment and any treatment take place at our practice at WG-plein 307 in Amsterdam Oud-West.

Written and clinically reviewed by Robert Kuizenga, MSc, physiotherapist, manual therapist, orofacial physiotherapist and craniofacial therapist (CRAFTA®). Last reviewed: 29 October 2026.

 

In brief

Tinnitus is the perception of sound without an external sound source. Jaw or neck physiotherapy is not appropriate for every form of tinnitus. It may be relevant when tinnitus occurs together with jaw or neck symptoms, or changes with movement, posture or muscle tension. We therefore assess whether there are signs of somatosensory tinnitus and, when needed, work alongside your GP, ENT specialist, audiologist or dentist.

 

What is tinnitus?

Tinnitus is hearing a sound that does not come from a corresponding external source. It may sound like ringing, buzzing, humming, whistling or pulsing. It can be constant or intermittent and may be heard in one ear, both ears or more generally inside the head.

A large international meta-analysis estimated that around 14% of adults experience tinnitus. For most people its impact is limited, but for a smaller group it can significantly affect sleep, concentration, mood and daily life.

What is somatosensory tinnitus?

In somatosensory tinnitus, information from muscles, joints and nerves in areas such as the jaw or neck can influence the tinnitus. This does not automatically mean that the jaw or neck is the only cause. It does mean that examining these areas may be worthwhile.

Features that may point in this direction include:

• the loudness, pitch or location changes when you move your jaw, head or neck;

• the tinnitus and jaw or neck pain started around the same time;

• you also experience jaw clenching or teeth grinding;

• you have pain or tension in the chewing muscles, jaw joint or neck;

• the symptoms change with posture or prolonged physical load.

None of these features proves that the tinnitus is somatosensory. A broader assessment remains important.

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When should you see a GP or ENT specialist first?

New or unexplained tinnitus deserves medical and, where appropriate, hearing assessment. Seek prompt medical advice if you have:

• sudden hearing loss, particularly when it develops over hours or days;

• tinnitus that beats in time with your pulse;

• tinnitus after an accident or head injury;

• severe dizziness, neurological symptoms or facial weakness;

• one-sided tinnitus or a clear difference in hearing between the ears;

• severe distress, hopelessness or thoughts of self-harm.

Physiotherapy does not replace medical assessment. Even when no treatable ear condition is found, education, hearing care, cognitive behavioural therapy, sleep support or other forms of tinnitus management may still help.

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How can jaw and orofacial physiotherapy help?

Recent clinical guidance suggests a multidisciplinary approach when bothersome tinnitus occurs together with temporomandibular disorder, neck dysfunction or both. Studies indicate that targeted treatment can reduce the impact of tinnitus in carefully selected patients. The quality of the evidence is still limited, and the results do not apply to everyone with tinnitus.

We therefore do not promise to make the sound disappear. The aim is to identify modifiable factors, reduce associated jaw and neck symptoms and help you function better with the tinnitus.

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What does assessment and treatment involve?

We start by discussing the sound, how it developed, your hearing, sleep, stress, medication and any jaw or neck symptoms. We then assess areas such as jaw and neck movement, the load on the chewing muscles and everyday oral habits.

Depending on the findings, treatment may include:

• clear information about tinnitus and possible contributing factors;

• mobility, coordination and relaxation exercises for the jaw and neck;

• advice on physical load, recovery, sleep and oral habits;

• manual techniques for muscles and joints;

• dry needling when this is appropriate after assessment;

• liaison with or referral to a GP, ENT specialist, audiologist, dentist or psychologist.

An occlusal splint or other oral appliance is not a standard treatment for tinnitus. If there is clear tooth wear, jaw clenching or grinding, a dentist can assess whether an appliance may be useful.

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Tinnitus care at Mind Your Motion in Amsterdam

Our therapists have additional training in head, jaw, neck and throat-related conditions, including orofacial and craniofacial physiotherapy and CRAFTA. We do not use one fixed tinnitus protocol for everyone. Assessment and treatment are tailored to your symptoms and to any medical or audiological findings.

Would you like to find out whether jaw or neck physiotherapy may be relevant to your tinnitus? You can book an appointment online at Mind Your Motion, located at WG-plein in Amsterdam.

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Frequently asked questions

Can physiotherapy cure tinnitus?

No. We cannot promise a cure. For some people with somatosensory tinnitus, physiotherapy may reduce the severity or impact of the symptoms, particularly when treatable jaw or neck problems are also present. Results vary from person to person.

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Can jaw clenching cause tinnitus?

Jaw clenching can influence or maintain tinnitus in some people, but it is rarely the only explanation. A connection is more likely when the sound changes with jaw movement or when pain and tension in the chewing muscles are present at the same time.

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Should I see an ENT specialist first?

For new, one-sided, pulsatile or rapidly changing tinnitus, start with your GP. They can decide whether assessment by an ENT specialist or audiologist is needed. Sudden hearing loss requires urgent medical assessment.

 

Does dry needling help tinnitus?

A small number of studies report positive results in selected people with somatosensory tinnitus and muscle-related symptoms. The evidence remains limited. Dry needling is therefore considered only when the physical examination supports its use and is never the only possible approach.

 

Sources

1. VA/DoD. Clinical Practice Guideline for Tinnitus. 2024. healthquality.va.gov

2. NICE. Tinnitus: assessment and management (NG155). nice.org.uk/guidance/ng155

3. Jarach CM, et al. Global Prevalence and Incidence of Tinnitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Neurology. 2022;79(9):888–900. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2022.2189

4. Van der Wal A, et al. Treatment of Somatosensory Tinnitus: A Randomized Controlled Trial Studying the Effect of Orofacial Treatment as Part of a Multidisciplinary Program. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2020;9(3):705. doi:10.3390/jcm9030705

5. Sharma P, et al. Effects of Manual Therapy in Somatic Tinnitus Patients Associated with Cervicogenic and Temporomandibular Dysfunction Domain: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials. Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery. 2022;74(2):247–253. doi:10.1007/s12070-021-02426-x

6. Yu H-Z, et al. The Effect of Physical Therapy on Somatosensory Tinnitus. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2024;13(12):3496. doi:10.3390/jcm13123496