The blood supply for hearing important areas of the brain is provided by an artery that runs in close relation to the cervical spine. Changes in the cervical spine (cervical spine) can also cause ringing in the ears. Examples of this are tinnitus, hissing or even hearing loss of certain frequencies.
Due to certain anatomical conditions, our cervical spine is connected to the interconnection centers of our auditory pathway. There are even sensors in the musculature itself that act on the nuclei for the organ of hearing and balance. Malpositions of individual vertebrae can also make themselves noticeable through ear noises and even our jaw, which forms a functional unit with the cervical spine, can influence our hearing. In the case of malpositions, degenerative changes or whiplash injuries of the cervical spine, these actuators can be altered to a greater or lesser extent and ear noises can occur.
Causes of ringing in the ears
1) The cervical spine is closely related to our organ of balance and hearing. For example, there are sensors in our shoulder and neck muscles that measure the tension in these muscles and transmit it to the brain, and especially to centers of hearing and balance. A change in the posture of the cervical spine results in a change in the tension in the surrounding muscles and thus in a change in the influence on the hearing and balance nuclei.
Ear noises can therefore occur. 2) A changed position of individual vertebrae, a “blockage” can also lead to such tension changes, which then manifest themselves as ringing in the ears. These can be caused by long-term bad posture as well as trauma.
Not to forget the temporomandibular joint, which has a great influence on the position of the upper head and neck joints. In people who press (bruxism) or grind their teeth, ear noises are very common. 3) A further connection between the cervical spine and tinnitus is the anatomical course of the vertebral artery, which, among other things, supplies our brain stem with the nuclei for the balance and hearing organs.
The artery runs in the transverse processes of the cervical vertebral bodies into the so-called Foramina transversaria and can be constricted here, especially in the case of degenerative changes. For example, osteoarthritis of the cervical spine can lead to bony attachments to the vertebral bodies, narrowing the holes through which the vertebral artery passes. Slight movements, especially in rotation, can lead to further constriction. Chronic or short-term reduced blood flow, including that of the brainstem centers for hearing, is the result and ear noises are produced. The article HWS-Blockade – Symptoms/Causes may be of interest to you in this regard.
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