Non-Acoustic Tinnitus

What is tinnitus?

Tinnitus is the perception of sound (buzzing, ringing) that is not caused by an external source. In other words, a person hears a sound even though nothing in the environment is producing it.

 

How can I know if my tinnitus can be treated with physiotherapy?

In some cases, tinnitus may have a musculoskeletal origin. The cranial and cervical regions, the jaw, neural issues, muscle tension and poor posture can all contribute to tinnitus.

Do not hesitate to discuss this with your family physician, an ENT specialist or an audiologist.

 

Main characteristics of tinnitus that may be musculoskeletal in origin:

• Usually present on one side only, with generally symmetrical hearing (close to normal)
• Associated with trauma, chronic neck pain, jaw or head pain, migraines, or bruxism (teeth grinding at night)
• Increased by poor posture or head movement
• More frequent during the day than at night

 

What does the management involve?

In collaboration with your ENT specialist and/or audiologist, the physiotherapist will assess the cranial region, cervical spine and jaw joint in order to develop a treatment plan tailored to your condition.

 

What do the treatments include?

• Cranial manual therapy
• Cranio-vertebral and cervical manual therapy
• Myofascial release
• Exercise instruction and guidance for daily management (e.g., work posture, bruxism)
• Neural mobilization

 

Who is the physiotherapist?

• Graduate in physiotherapy from the Université de Montréal
• More than 15 years of experience
• Currently pursuing CRAFTA certification

 

Kim Parizeault – Blainville Clinic