Dr. Mogell Dental Blog

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Trained Rats Help Puzzle Out Neurological Maze of Tinnitus

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Tinnitus, a ringing or buzzing in the ears, is a common symptom for people suffering from temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). Now researchers at the University of Buffalo who have been working for 10 years on the problem have trained rats to tell researchers when they are hearing sounds. Thus, when the rats report sounds, but none are present, the researchers can tell that the rats are suffering from tinnitus. These researchers have already been able to identify that the source of tinnitus is not the ear, but the brain, although damage to the ear may be a factor.

When the brain receives reduced signals from the hearing organ, the cochlea, as a result of age or injury, it turns up the volume on the signals it does receive. Although this increase in volume can increase the ear's ability to hear, it also increases the prevalence of noise, the buzzing, ringing, or hissing of background phenomena.

An improperly functioning TMJ may impair the cochlea's ability to transmit signals to the brain, as it can impair the inner ear's ability to maintain balance. If you are suffering from tinnitus that you cannot attribute to an ear or brain injury, TMD might be to blame. Please call us for a diagnostic appointment at 561-394-9000.

Patti