Have "inner" ear problem. Thinking of seeing a doctor.?

Question

For about two months now, I've been having a problem with my right ear. I have never had any serious problems with my ears and have fortunately always had excellent hearing in both. I can hear just fine in both ears at all times, but many times when I move my jaw (such as when I chew) I can hear the "inside" of my right ear. So it's not a problem with hearing external sounds. It's just that I also hear "inside" my right ear whenever I move my jaw, and as you can imagine it's a bit annoying.

I suspected the problem might have had something to do with wax in my ears, so I bought a tool designed to flush out ear wax. That did not help at all. I don't think it's a problem of ear wax. Like I said, I can hear fine. It's just that I'd rather not hear my own chewing and that sort of thing.

If I can't get rid of this problem on my own I will see a doctor, but I wanted to ask here for any information, advice, or suggestions I could get.

Thanks, and I appreciate any feedback.

Answer 1

You might have TMJ. You can test it yourself by putting your pinky in both ear , open wide and bite your teeth tightly. If you feel pressure on the pinky that is the same side (right) that affect your hearing. It means that the jaw is being push backward, compress you ear and might caused the hearing problem. Contact me if you have more questions. Han Haduong 562-904-2157

Answer 2

It may be that your eustachian tube (the tube between your middle ear and your throat) collapses when you chew or swallow. This would cause your middle ear to feel clogged up, so you don't hear by air conduction. Rather, you are only hearing through your bones, instead of a combination of air and bone. You can clear this with a valsalva maneuver (pinch your nose closed and blow gently into your nose). That should help. If it doesn't, see an ENT (ear, nose and throat doctor).

Answer 3

You might have a condition refered to as TMJ.