If you’re experiencing persistent ringing, buzzing, or other phantom sounds in your ears, you might be surprised to learn that the problem could originate from your neck rather than your ears themselves. This condition, known as cervical somatosensory tinnitus (CST), represents a unique form of tinnitus that’s directly connected to dysfunction in the upper cervical spine and surrounding structures.

What Is Cervical Somatosensory Tinnitus?

Cervical somatosensory tinnitus is a type of tinnitus that originates from problems in the cervical spine, jaw, or related musculoskeletal structures rather than from hearing loss or inner ear damage. Unlike traditional tinnitus, which typically stems from auditory system dysfunction, CST is generated by abnormal nerve signalling between the neck, jaw, and auditory pathways in the brain.

This connection exists because the upper cervical spine shares complex neural pathways with the auditory system. When these cervical structures become misaligned, inflamed, or dysfunctional, they can create aberrant signals that the brain interprets as sound – even when no actual sound is present.

Recognising the Signs: Clinical Diagnostic Criteria

Recent research has established specific diagnostic criteria that help healthcare providers identify cervical somatosensory tinnitus. According to established clinical guidelines, a diagnosis of CST is considered when at least one of the following criteria is present:

Key Diagnostic Indicators:

1. History of head or neck trauma – This could include motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, falls, or other incidents that affected the cervical spine.
2. Tinnitus that responds to jaw or neck movement – The ringing or buzzing changes when you manipulate your teeth, move your jaw, or adjust your neck position.
3. Recurring pain patterns – Episodes of pain in the head, neck, or shoulder region that seem connected to your tinnitus symptoms.
4. Synchronised symptom onset – Your tinnitus and neck/head pain appeared around the same time or tend to worsen together.
5. Posture-related changes – Your tinnitus increases during certain positions while resting, walking, working, or sleeping.
6. Teeth grinding connection – Periods of intense bruxism (teeth grinding or clenching) during day or night that correlate with tinnitus symptoms.
7. Exclusion of other causes – Traditional causes of tinnitus such as hearing loss or noise-induced damage have been ruled out.

Ref – Sanchez and Rocha, 2011

The Upper Cervical Connection

The relationship between the upper cervical spine and tinnitus isn’t coincidental—it’s based on solid anatomical and neurological foundations. The upper cervical vertebrae (C1 and C2) have direct neural connections to the brainstem areas that process auditory information. When these vertebrae become misaligned, they can:

• Irritate nearby nerves that share pathways with auditory processing centres
• Create muscle tension that affects blood flow to the inner ear
• Disrupt normal nerve signalling between the neck and brain
• Trigger inflammatory responses that affect auditory function

Solutions  for Cervical Somatosensory Tinnitus

The encouraging news about cervical somatosensory tinnitus is that it often responds well to solutions focused on addressing the underlying cervical dysfunction. Upper cervical chiropractic care has shown particular promise in helping CST because it:

Addresses Root Causes:

• Corrects vertebral misalignments that may be triggering abnormal nerve signals.
• Reduces muscle tension and inflammation in the neck and jaw region.
• Improves blood flow and nerve function in the cervical area.
• Restores proper movement patterns and posture.

What to Expect During Care

Clients with cervical somatosensory tinnitus often notice improvement in their symptoms as their cervical function improves. However, it’s important to understand that:

• Responses can vary from person to person.
• Some Clients experience relatively quick improvement, while others may need longer care periods.
• The duration and severity of symptoms before beginning care can affect recovery time.
• Addressing contributing factors like posture, stress, and sleep habits enhances care outcomes.

Your Next Step

If you recognise these signs in your own experience with tinnitus, it might be worth looking into whether neck problems are contributing to your symptoms. A thorough evaluation by an upper cervical specialist can help figure out if CST might be what’s causing your tinnitus and whether targeted chiropractic care could give you relief.

Remember, cervical somatosensory tinnitus is a solvable form of this often frustrating condition. By fixing the underlying neck problems, many Clients find significant improvement in both their tinnitus symptoms and their overall quality of life.

If you have ringing in your ears, neck pain or headaches, please book in a complimentary discovery call and we can talk. We might be able to help you feel better and get rid of that annoying ringing.

Reference 

1. Sanchez TG, Rocha CB. Diagnosis and management of somatosensory tinnitus: review article. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2011;66(6):1089-94. doi: 10.1590/s1807-59322011000600028. PMID: 21808880; PMCID: PMC3129953.