“Limitations only go so far”, Robert M.Hensel
Hearing loss appears to be common after a prolonged history of fibromyalgia.
It seems as though sensorineural hearing loss, that is, loss that is due to damage to the inner ear auditory nerve pathways to the brain, occurs more frequently in fibromyalgia than has been reported. Not hearing lovely sounds like that of this wonderful children’s group can have devastating effects on a person’s morale as with most deaf people, but added to which is the physical pain of fibromyalgia. It stands to reason that the tension and anxiety that goes hand and hand with fibromyalgia would result in jaw clenching, teeth grinding and tightened neck muscles, thereby affecting, among other muscles and nerves, the 7th cranial nerve which supplies all the muscles of the face .
Many have written to ask me if TMJ (Temporomandibular Disorder) is common with fibromyalgia. TMJ results in the joint (that slides and rotates just in front of the ear) twisting during opening, closing or side motion movements. The challenges that occur can be sensitive teeth (no doubt why so many of us have unexplained tooth pain) and earaches. The jaw muscles with myofascial discomfort refer the pain to the teeth and ears, and can even cause headaches.
The main nerve for the jaw joint is attached to the TMJ disk so that when it is compressed it tightens nerve and blood vessels around the ear and temple , especially if one has stiff neck muscles. Sometimes ringing in the ears (tinnitus) is a common complaint as well.
I have no proof of all of this and I admit to speculation as I am not an audiologist and I have not seen it written or described elsewhere but I have a strong intuition that this is the case for people with fibromyalgia who have increasing low frequency hearing loss. Often background noise, and/or many people talking in a room results in great sensitivity to noise in people with this type of hearing loss.
This is just one more challenge for those of us who grind our teeth, absorb tension in our necks and jaws and suffer from headaches and earaches. Another reason for us to educate our health care professionals and especially our dentists and dental assistants that fibromyalgia does not leave a nerve in our bodies at peace! Furthermore, hearing loss impacts on our daily lives and our personal relationships. Hopefully we will hear more about the complexity of hearing loss and fibromyalgia in the near future.
Thanks for this commentary on hearing loss. Having been diagnosed with FM and CFS 2 years ago. I now know I had symptoms for many years prior. For the last few years I have been having difficulty with hearing some frequencies, while having sensitivities to even slight sounds at the same time. This has been very frustrating, as I have never had any hearing difficulties before and the audiologist’s testing shows only some mild loss in one ear in very low range. This does not seem to match with the actual difficulty I am experiencing more often with phone rings, voices and other tones, especially with any background or competing noises. Since I do not do anything else environmentally which would damage my hearing, I have wondered about any possible connection with the FM and would look forward to learning more about this subject.
Thank you, Virginia! I startle easily and loud noises, in particular, and strangely, a dog barking(!), for example, can make me actually feel visceral sensations! I know this is related to hearing too as I can hear some sounds that are very, very discreet yet some low voices, like that of my husband (unfortunately)often frustrates me as I sometimes cannot make out the sounds?! I don’t think I have the ‘usual’ hearing loss that can be picked up by an audiologist either! Loud noises like fire trucks or any other siren is extremely irritating to my nervous system. I know they are unpleasant sounds for everyone but my reaction is more than the ‘normal’. I am happy you told this story as I have not heard many comment on this type of hearing issues. Thanks again! Barbara
Really explanatory – continue to spread the word. Looking forward to an update. For too long now have I had the need to get started on my personal blog. Suppose if I put it off any longer I’ll never ever do it. I’ll be sure to add you to my Blogroll. Cheers!!
Go for it, Erik! Good luck! Barbara
Thanks for this commentary on hearing loss. Having been diagnosed with FM and CFS 2 years ago. I now know I had symptoms for many years prior. For the last few years I have been having difficulty with hearing some frequencies, while having sensitivities to even slight sounds at the same time. This has been very frustrating, as I have never had any hearing difficulties before and the audiologist’s testing shows only some mild loss in one ear in very low range. This does not seem to match with the actual difficulty I am experiencing more often with phone rings, voices and other tones, especially with any background or competing noises. Since I do not do anything else environmentally which would damage my hearing, I have wondered about any possible connection with the FM and would look forward to learning more about this subject.
Me too Paul as hearing loss seems to be common with fibro but no one seems to be writing much about it! It HAS to be more frequent than this but people are just not noticing it perhaps? Thanks for your comments! Barbara
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Thanks for the comments. This explains a lot about my own condition. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia a few years ago. I have had Tinnitus for many years. Had it checked about 10 years ago and no hearing loss. It is getting louder and more nerve wracking. I have an appt. with ENT this week to check it again. Also I have a toothache that responds to antibiotics, but 3 dentist have been unable to locate any infection. I think you have hit the nail on the head as to the reasons for my symptoms. I don’t know if the ENT will agree but I sure do. Next Question: What to do about these symptoms? What do they respond too? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks for the information. This explains why I have tinnitus and a toothache. Now what to do about them???? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Sharon: Well, for one thing it is important to calm the nervous system so that our jaws can relax. Deep breathing and meditation are very helpful. Wearing one of those kinds of apparatuses that dentists suggest did not help me as my sleep was so restless that I would throw it out in a half sleep state! I know when I have been tense and had lots of stimulation because I have more tinnitus and tooth pain! My whole face hurts and I don’t hear very well that day. However, after years of clenching my jaws, especially at night it isn’t easy to unclench! I wish I had magic answers…relaxation advice is what others would give but I believe that over-stimulated nervous systems do not repair themselves and it is our life long struggle. In my book the women speak of what they have done that helps somewhat. I wish though that I have a wand that could drive away all our demons! Regards, Barbara
@#$%! Sorry to open with that, but I was thinking medication was causing low freq hearing loss. Stopped taking it, just made an appointment with my GP. Lot of good that will do if it’s the FM. Hadn’t thought of it as direct symptom (or seen it listed) till now. Makes sense though…I’ve had pretty much every other symptom. Hopefully the fibro’s taken all it can now. Thanks for the post.
Thanks for your comment Scott. My hearing loss is getting worse as I clench my jaw more after a particularly difficult year of dealing with 93 year old parents and their crises! One more thing to deal with:-(
Regards, Barbara
Thank you for the information. I have been dealing with FM, CFS and TMJ for 10+ years and have been dealing with neck and ear pain for the past three weeks. Today my Doctor said I have hearning loss in both ears due to a nerve problem? When I asked if this was do to FM, the answer was No. It makes since to me as well that this is all connected.
Thanks,
Kim
You are so right Kimberly, it makes perfect sense to make that leap from all those issues to nerve damage from fibro! It is going to take a long time for health care professionals to understand that link! But, we have lived it!Keep in touch!
Best regards, Barbara
I have just returned from my Primary Care Physician where a hearing test confirmed a hearing loss that I have been experiencing for the last 3 days. He put me on steroids, and I see an ENT tomorrow. I wondered if the Fibro I have suffered with for the last 10 years might be playing a part in this loss. So I headed to the Internet and found this site.
I can’t say I’m happy that it is probably Fibro related, but at least I know I’m not crazy.
Eadie
Hi Eadie: Ohhhh, a steroid is a strong drug! Yikes! If it is fibro related the docs may not know about this connection and pooh pooh the idea. Of course, I can’t prove it is related but with my case I know there is a strong possibility. However, if yours has just recently happened it stands to reason that this is why the steroid med as I believe if it is fibro related it would be a much slower process. Can’t jump to any conclusions this quickly. So, follow your ENT advice and maybe it is only an infection or some other transient occurrence. Good luck and keep in touch! Barbara
An update for you, after 10 days of oral steroids and an anti-viral I hadn’t shown any improvement, so my ENT injected steriods directly into my inner ear through the ear drum. Within 24 hours I saw some improvement documented by audiology in 7 days. So I have had a second injection, I believe there has been more improvement, will be tested again in 6 days.
Oh my goodness Eadie: Injections in your ear?! Did it hurt? I must look into that. Thanks for the thumbs up! Barbara
Having suffered with Fibromyalgia for the last 6 or 7 years, I was diagnosed with 40% hearing loss in my right ear. I felt that there was a connection and was not surprised to find this website that agrees with this. I am not sure that my GP or sonsultant will agree with this but I do plan to make them aware. I can also relate to Barbara Keddy regarding load noises – it feels like an electric shock through my body.
I am awaiting the result of an MRI for the hearing loss and will post the outcome on this site!
Hi Barbara: I can’t find much written about hearing loss and fibromyalgia. However, I intuitively know that it is common enough to be something to watch for as many use a search engine to find this link and I can see there is great interest! Thanks for your comments, Barbara
i was just informed that this is an issue with FM. i would have never thought about that even though there are so many other symptoms that are so unusual.. feel bad that i have been yelling at my mom to go to the dr bc her cough is so loud and it startles me everytime she coughs and i watched others and they never seemed to be affected by it..its a normal everyday smokers cough and she has it bad at night and i can hear it like she is inside my ear. noises that are everyday noises for others make me jump 50 ft. i put cotton balls in my ears to try to muffle out some of the noise and i am trying not to complain about the tv which is usally on a 32 volume and at 26 it feels like its blasting… and i get anxiety and when i go out into public i get so irritated and i never realized that could be from the noise level. this is so hard to deal with .. Thank God i am finding out that there is a reason this is happening..guess i am going to go get some ear plugs.
Hi Jody: Did you read my most recent blog about misophonia? Those of us with fibro are a strange lot aren’t we:-)? But, like you, loud noises are extremely unpleasant for me! Best wishes, Barbara
You all have made my day. I was dx’d with fibro. in 1992 and it’s been a wild ride. My hearing loss is driving me crazy. I can hear some really low tones, like someone’s cell ringing, yet I can’t understand some tv shows and have to use the Closed Caption. I went to the University of Ky. for testing and they said I had some blockage that was keeping the me from hearing/understanding things. They said I was doing an excellent job compensating and that was about all they could do. I didn’t make the Fibro. connection until last week. I had actually gotten better all spring and summer then I started not being able to hear again which made me realize it must be some kind of flare and since I have Fibro. it must be due to the fibro. but I have never heard of it being a symptom. I was glad to see that you guys are experiencing similar stuff. I also hate loud noises. Especially a lot of people talking at the same time. I can’t stand it. Just wanted to chime in.
Hi Myrna: Have you read my book? it sets the tone for all that I write about. Like you I am suffering from hearing loss, worse on some days than others. It is so frustrating but I am beginning to think it is often best if i don’t pay attention to a lot of the conversation that is going on all the time anyway. Less stimulation
Sorry, I don’t mean to down play this as it is also a great disability for me as well.
Best wishes, Barbara
Say what??? FM and hearing loss. Two years ago I went to an ENT Doctor, went thru all the tests. Results: There is nothing wrong with your hearing. I was dx’d 4 yrs ago with FM. Also have autonomic neuropathy and many more ailments. Just blame it on FM.
I read a book, can not recall the author, about FM. After my visit to the ENT doc, I looked in the index and found a
lead to hearing loss. It read just like my diagnosis, “you go to the ear dr. go thru all the battery of tests, and you get an answer, there is nothing wrong with your hearing”. HELLO! Concidence?????
So like all the other things that creep on my 71 yr old body, I just add it to the “column” under FM. Oh by the way
I also have been to my Dentist with “painful” toothaches….Xrays show nothing. Have had TMJ some 10yrs ago.
Found this website. Now I know I’m NOT crazy.
Sue
I know what you mean by an old body. I am convinced that aging makes fibro worse! Every day it is something else.Need more meditation, relaxation, less caregiving of older parents, less worry, more joy!I can relate Sue!
Best wishes,
Barbara
I have been experiencing the same symptoms as indicated in the various posts. Have had MRI, CT Scan, X-rays and have seen 2 ENT’s. What I have been doing might help some of you out there. 1. Is and Alkaline diet, with lots of water 2. I use both subligual B-12
Hi Carlos: I too use a B12 vitamin among others such as fish oils (Omega) and Vit D. thanks for the tip!
Barbara