Your ear might feel like it's closing when you close your jaw due to tension in the jaw muscles affecting a muscle in your inner ear.
Here's a breakdown of how that happens:
The Connection Between Your Jaw and Ear
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your jawbone to your skull. Problems with the TMJ can lead to various symptoms, including ear issues. One such issue is the feeling of ear closure or stuffiness.
How Muscle Tension Causes Ear Closure
According to existing knowledge, tension in some of the jaw muscles can actually trigger tension in the stapedius muscle, the muscle of the inner ear.
Here's how the process unfolds:
- Jaw Muscle Tension: When you clench or tighten your jaw, certain muscles become tense. This can be due to stress, teeth grinding (bruxism), or TMJ disorders.
- Stapedius Muscle Activation: The stapedius muscle is a small muscle located in the middle ear. Its job is to stabilize the stapes, one of the tiny bones in the ear that helps transmit sound.
- Eardrum Tension: When the stapedius muscle tenses, it pulls on the stapes. This can cause the eardrum to tense.
- Feeling of Ear Closure: The tensed eardrum results in a feeling of stuffiness, fullness, or diminished hearing in the ear.
Possible Solutions
If you experience this regularly, consider the following:
- Relaxation Techniques: Try relaxation exercises to reduce jaw muscle tension.
- See a Doctor: Consult with your doctor, dentist, or a TMJ specialist for evaluation and treatment options.
- Physical Therapy: Physical therapy can help to stretch and strengthen the muscles of the jaw and neck, which can alleviate tension.
- Mouthguard: If you grind your teeth at night, a mouthguard can protect your teeth and reduce jaw muscle tension.
