You can hear your chewing in your ears primarily because of the proximity of your jaw joint (TMJ) to your ears, and potentially due to issues with the joint itself or the Eustachian tube.
Understanding the Connection
Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your jawbone to your skull. Because it's located right in front of your ear, vibrations and sounds from chewing are easily transmitted. Here’s a breakdown of the reasons:
- Proximity: The TMJ's close position to the middle ear means that sounds generated during chewing have a direct pathway to your inner ear.
- Bone Conduction: Sounds can travel through bone. The vibrations from your jaw movement are conducted through the skull bones to your inner ear.
Potential Causes for Amplified Chewing Sounds
While it's normal to hear some chewing sounds, unusually loud or altered sounds can indicate an underlying issue:
-
TMJ Disorders (TMD): Problems with the TMJ, such as inflammation, misalignment, or cartilage damage, can amplify sounds or create clicking, popping, or grinding noises. If you also experience jaw pain, stiffness, or difficulty opening your mouth, TMD is a likely culprit.
-
Eustachian Tube Dysfunction: The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the back of the throat and helps regulate pressure. If it's blocked or not functioning properly (Eustachian Tube Dysfunction, ETD), it can alter how you perceive sounds, including chewing.
-
Middle Ear Problems: While less common, issues like fluid in the middle ear (often associated with infections) can also affect sound transmission.
What to Do
If you're concerned about the sounds you're hearing, it's best to consult with a healthcare professional. Here's a recommended course of action:
- Consult a doctor: They can evaluate your symptoms and determine the underlying cause.
- See a dentist or TMJ specialist: If TMD is suspected, a dental professional specializing in TMJ disorders can provide a diagnosis and treatment plan.
- Consider an audiologist: They can assess your hearing and rule out other ear-related problems.
Hearing your chewing sounds is usually normal due to the anatomical proximity of the jaw to the ear, however, a marked increase or change in those sounds can signal a need for medical assessment.
