03/17/2009
Nine years ago I began experiencing a ringing sound in my ear.
It was faint, but high-pitched. I wouldn’t really notice it unless I was in a silent room. It wasn’t awful; just persistent. Cracking a window or turning on a fan easily drowned out the noise. But I always wondered what was causing it, and what could be done to help.
Later on, I began receiving a specialized form of chiropractic adjustment known as Upper Cervical Care. I started to notice an interesting trend… Soon after each of my adjustments, the ringing in my ear settled down. I could sit in a completely silent room and actually enjoy the silence!
So I did some research and found the results of a German study in the International Tinnitus Journal saying that tinnitus is a symptom of injury to the upper cervical spine. According to their research, tinnitus can disappear after “operative correction and stabilization of the articular geometry.”
Wordy, I know. In a way, they’re suggesting that when the head is properly balanced or realigned with the neck, ringing of the ears can be fixed.
After experiencing it first hand through Upper Cervical chiropractic care, I realized how right they were!
Since that time, I’ve watched a number of tinnitus patients improve after experiencing our care. While not every type of “ear ringing” has an origin in the neck, Upper Cervical Care is a painless procedure that shows promise, and may prove to be an effective alternative for you over medication and surgery.
Find this very interesting. My husband suffers greatly from tinnitus. I’m thinking as a reflexologist that I may put some additional focus on the cervical areas and alignment as you mention to see if he may find a bit of relief. Thanks!
Interesting. I have had neck pains and resulting tension headaches since a month ago (during may when I was studying for exams and tests laying on my stomach with my neck stretched out over a book for hours at a time)I’m only 20 by the way.
I also have recently developed what seems to be a pulsative tinnitus (the sound of my blood flow) in my ear that typically only occurs when I lay on my stomach to go to sleep.
Despite that I am done with exams my neck pains and tension headaches still continue but to a way lesser degree. I want to try and start sleeping on my back but it’s very uncomfortable for me. My breasts hurt when I lay on my back, I think its due to the gravitational pull on them. Plus, since my bf likes to watch movies or keep things on at night (I guess it comforts him) lying on my back makes me have to focus on the light or movie or whatever and that bothers me too.
Casey, take a look at this blog post I wrote about stomach-sleeping… You might find it helpful: http://bit.ly/15giRl
I have suffered from tinnitus for the last 4 months or so. The only relief I get is when I get adjustments on my cervical spine from either a chiropractor, osteopath or naturopath.
Hi, I saw your posting and was wondering if noise exposure like so many is the root along with neck degenerative factors. I had both for more that three years and it only getting worse.
Hi Gary, I suspect that prolonged/routine noise exposure may play a role as well.
I love your blog. Good to see people writing about this subject.
I am a frequent reader of your articles and just wanted to let you know you that I really like your blog.
Thank you!
When a person starts to hear noises in their ears, most of the time they ignore it, and classify it as being normal. This is the time to start searching for the causes of these sounds. Having abnormalities elsewhere in the body also explains why a person might have tinnitus. Since this is not a disease, but a symptom. Of WHAT is the question? Although everyone reacts differently to treatment, this is very good information.
I’ve had moderate tinnitus for 3 months. About a month ago I saw a Tinnitus blog that suggested a “thumping on the back of the head while cupping the ears” could relieve or lessen my tinnitus. After perfoming this proceedure, my tinnitus increaded dramatically and has never gone donw in volume. I am now taking Xanax for the anxiety brought about by this increased tone and volume. Any suggestions for a treatment to diminish this noiw oppressive sound?
Thanks
Dennis, I’ve not heard of that approach… You might consider visiting an Upper Cervical specialist in your area to see if there’s not something they can do to help.
I called my local Chiropractor who will evaluate me and work on my neck. Many thanks again for your response
My chiropractor evaluated me and said that his wife has tinnitus and he could’t help her but would try neck adjustments.The morning afer the last of two treatments by him I awoke to terrible vertigo was re-evaluated by him and declined futher treatments, worried that his ne3ck manipulation had in some way caused the vertigo. I’ve since gone to a Physical Therapist who diagnosed it as BPPV and recommended what is called the “Eply Maneuver” to re-establish the balance in my inner ear which he did. I thought it had worked but the vertigo returned when I layed down to sleep and moved my head. Any idea?
Dennis, did you visit an Upper Cervical specialist, or was it a conventional full-spine chiropractor?
Another reader with Tinnitus here.
I’ve had loud ringing since December 09 in my left ear. ENT and tests show no damage to my ear drum, my hearing or my brain. My new dentist told me I show some signs of TMJ disorder.
I found this blog during a internet search of trying to find evidance of ear ringing and spine issues. I work long hours at a computer and recently showed some signs of RSI and general back pain.
It is possible that my ringing is due to my spine? I’m booking an assessment at a local chiropractor. But it seems I should look for something more specific?
Hi Neil, it’s definitely a possibility. I recommend finding an Upper Cervical specialist in your area. Conventional chiropractors can be great, but in this instance you might prefer the precision and specificity of an Upper Cervical chiropractor.
I’ve suffered with tinnitus for nearly a year I’ve tried medications and special music treatment programs but my ear still rings. There is no upper cervical specialist in my small town. I am going to see a regular chiiropractor tomorrow. I’ll let you know jow it turns out.
Hello,
I’ve had tinnitus for 14 years (since I was 11). It’s been pretty much the same but has gotten worse several times in the last couple of weeks. I have no idea what is causing it. I went to a general chiro who says I have 2″ of forward head posture and some pinched nerves in the lower neck. Could this be causing the increase?
John, it’s a possibility. There’s certainly a link between misalignment of the head/neck and tinnitus symptoms. If you don’t notice any improvement after receiving a course of conventional chiropractic care, don’t give up. Consult with an Upper Cervical specialist if need be.
Hi,
I have had tinnitis for two years, and the volume has steadily increased to a point where I can see it potentially causing nausia in certain cases? Has anyone else experienced this?
Also, having read these blogs, I have noticed that I can change the pitch and volume of noise by tensing different muscles in my neck and when aligning my head to extreme angles to by my spine.
My chiro does micro adjustments and spends time on my lower skull and upper back….is this what an Upper Cervical Specialist does?
Randy, I’m not familiar with the phrase “micro adjustment.”
Can some one help me! I have been blessed with tinnitus since October 2010 and at times the noise is very low and at times it gets very loud, during which my eyes become very irritated, my lips burn, my tongue gets dry and burns and my entire face feels very warm, feverish like, does anyone suffering from tinnitus have the same problems and if so what can be done to help relieve this agony? I really appreciate your help. Thank you.
Ercilia
I am also going to a Chiropractor who uses the Pro Adjuster for treatments, he has told me that their is some misalignment in my neck, I recently had a CS and it did confirm along the lines that he concurred through my neck X-Ray. He will confer with me at my next visit to determine the degree of treatment that will be of some help.
A chiropractor has helped my neck problems a lot and for the first time in 3 months the symptom of pulsating tinnitus is more variable and often reduced.My CAT scan had showed multiple neck problems.I knew my neck was involved because when I touched my toes the ringing stopped
I have had tinnitus since 1987. It started when I was taking antibiotics for a strep throat infection, and it drove me nuts for many years until it finally died down to where I only noticed it when it was very quiet, but I had to sleep with one of those machines that makes different sounds like the ocean, rainfall, etc. Last August, I had to take Zantac for a heartburn problem that was caused by another antibiotic, and I woke up one morning with a screeching noise in my right ear. Then a few days later, I woke up with the same noise in my left ear. The tinnitus was back with a vengeance. When I looked up Zantac side effects, tinnitus was listed, so I stopped taking the Zantac and hoped that the tinnitus would go away, but it didn’t. It has been five months now, and it seems to be getting worse. I sleep on my side, but I alternate from side to side during the night, and it gets very loud in whichever ear is on the pillow.
Dr. Tanase:
I’m a 52 healthy man who was recently diagnosed with cervical pinched nerves C5-C6. Right after an MRI scan I noted ringing in my ears that I still have since then. My doctor said that it is very unlikely that the loud noise of the MRI machine caused me tinnitus. I had ear plugs on during the lengthy scan. Now that I read this article I have hope that this annoying tinnitus could be caused by my pinched nerves and that it will resolve with treatment. I’ll be seeing a neurosurgeon soon. What are your thoughts about it?
Roberto, I recommend getting an evaluation from an Upper Cervical Chiropractor in your area.
interesting. after i did neck exercises following mild whiplash my tinnitus gone through the roof. my doctor says there is no connection but i disagree. would value your opinion
I wouldn’t say the exercises caused your tinnitus, but it is possible that an upper neck misalignment was created or made worse by the accident… Then the exercises you performed simply could have exaggerated the symptoms.
It’s definitely worth looking into if you can find an Upper Cervical practitioner nearby.