Is ringing in your ears wearing you down?
A hum that never quite switches off. A buzz that grows louder the moment the room goes quiet. Tinnitus can make it hard to focus, to relax and to fall asleep, and it is easy to feel alone with it. If you would like to know whether your neck is part of the picture, our upper cervical doctors can check the alignment at the top of your spine and the tension around it, in a calm, quiet and gentle way.
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the experience of hearing a sound that has no source outside your body. Most people describe ringing, but it can also sound like buzzing, hissing, humming, clicking or whooshing. It may be constant or come and go, and it can affect one ear or both.
Tinnitus is a symptom, not a disease on its own, so finding what sits behind it matters. A hearing check and an exam with your doctor are a sensible first step.
Common signs include:
- Ringing, buzzing or hissing that no one else can hear
- Sound that seems louder in quiet places or at night
- Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
- Difficulty concentrating
- Muffled hearing or a feeling of fullness in the ear
- Sound that changes when you move your neck or jaw
- Loud noise, from work, concerts or headphones
- Age-related or other changes in hearing
- Earwax buildup or an ear infection
- Some medicines, which your doctor can review with you
- Jaw problems, or muscle tension in the neck and jaw
- Head or neck injury, including whiplash
What causes tinnitus?
Tinnitus has many possible causes, and for many people more than one factor is involved.
When tinnitus changes with the movement of the neck or jaw it is sometimes called somatic tinnitus, and it is one reason upper cervical chiropractors look at the atlas (C1), axis (C2) and the muscles around them. Sudden hearing loss needs urgent medical attention, and ringing in only one ear or a pulsing sound that beats with your heartbeat should be checked by a doctor soon.
How upper cervical care can help
We start by finding out whether your neck may be part of your story. Your visit includes neurological testing, muscle assessments, a posture evaluation and 3D imaging of the upper cervical spine. We also pay close attention to how your tinnitus changes when you turn your head, clench your jaw or have a stressful day, because those clues help us decide whether upper cervical care is a good fit.
If we find a misalignment, we correct it with gentle adjustments that have no loud cracking or popping. The aim is to ease strain on the muscles and nerves that run from the upper neck toward the head and ears. Our hope is that your tinnitus becomes quieter or easier to live with, though experiences vary, and we will be honest with you if we do not think we can help.
Clues in your pattern
We ask what makes the sound louder or softer, such as neck movement, jaw clenching or a tense day, because those clues can point to a neck-related part.
Neck and shoulder tension
Muscle assessments check the neck and shoulders, where tension may sit alongside tinnitus, so your plan can include the muscles as well as the bones.
Alongside your hearing care
Tinnitus often calls for a hearing test, so please keep seeing your doctor or audiologist while you work with us.
Quiet, gentle adjustments
Adjustments are light and calm, without the loud cracking or popping some people expect, which suits ears that are already sensitive to sound.
What to expect
Day 1
Your first visit
A consultation with the doctor at the office you choose, a thorough exam, and 3D imaging of your cervical spine with our CBCT scanner. We also do a detailed posture evaluation with advanced software, neurological testing and muscle assessments.
Day 2
Your report of findings
The doctor goes over your history, your exam and posture results, your neurological findings and your 3D images with you, and explains a care plan made for you.
Ongoing
Gentle care, checked as you go
Gentle upper cervical adjustments with no twisting, cracking or popping, and regular progress checks so your plan follows how you are doing.
Why choose Apollo?
Specialized care
We focus on upper cervical chiropractic, a highly targeted and refined approach.
A plan made for you
Every patient is different. Your care plan is built around your own exam and your 3D imaging.
Gentle, with no cracking
Our methods are very gentle: no twisting, cracking or popping.
An experienced doctor
Dr. Kosta Tsakalos brings deep clinical experience and a caring, detail-oriented approach to every visit.
Every person is different, and results vary. Read what our patients say on our testimonials page.
Let us help you get started
If you are dealing with tinnitus, we are here to help. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Kosta Tsakalos and find out whether upper cervical chiropractic care is right for you.
Related conditions we help with
- Brain Fog
- Vertigo & Dizziness
- Post-Concussion Symptoms
- Ménière’s Disease
- Migraines
- Headaches
- Ear Infections
- TMJ / Jaw Pain
- See every condition
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis or medical advice. If your symptoms are sudden or severe, please seek medical care right away.