Is Your Jaw Making Your Tinnitus Worse?

Many people assume tinnitus always starts in the ear—but for a significant number of patients, the jaw and nervous system play a major role. In this episode, Dr. Layne Garrett explains how temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction can amplify tinnitus through shared nerve pathways connecting the jaw, neck, and hearing system. You'll learn why jaw movement can change tinnitus loudness or pitch, how the trigeminal nerve interacts with hearing pathways in the brainstem, and why this form of tinnitus—often called somatic tinnitus—is frequently missed. Dr. Garrett also breaks down what research shows about physical therapy, manual therapy, and coordinated care when TMJ involvement is present, including realistic timelines for improvement. Importantly, this episode reframes expectations: TMJ dysfunction doesn't usually create tinnitus from nothing, but it can significantly worsen tinnitus severity and distress by increasing auditory load and altering how the brain processes sound. Understanding this connection can change treatment decisions and outcomes. Dr. Garrett draws on more than two decades of experience treating tinnitus and complex hearing loss, using evidence-based approaches including REM-verified hearing aid fittings and multidisciplinary care. To learn more, visit our Learning Center at https://utahhearingaids.com/learning-center. If you're in Northern Utah and want a comprehensive tinnitus and TMJ-informed evaluation, you can schedule an appointment anytime at https://utahhearingaids.com.