Tinnitus is a condition
characterized by noises in the ears or head. The sounds
may include ringing, buzzing, hissing, rushing water, roaring,
the sound of a jet airplane, etc.
Studies have shown that
close to half of the people suffering with tinnitus have
a dysfunction of the muscles and joints of the head and
face, commonly referred to as "TMJ." The Temporomandibular
Joint (TMJ) is the joint in front of the ear which allows
us to speak, chew, swallow, kiss, smile and exhibit normal
facial expressions. Almost half of the patients who have
TMJ dysfunctions have tinnitus as one of their symptoms
and in these patients, success rates in eliminating these
ear sounds approach 90%.
In certain cases, tinnitus
may be a result of spasm of a tiny muscle (called the stapedius)
in the middle ear. This spasm may cause a slight vibration
which is heard within the ear as a ringing, buzzing or hissing
sound. In addition, dysfunction of other muscles, such as
the tensor veli palati, may prevent the Eustachian tube
(an air passage connecting the middle ear to the throat)
from functioning normally, causing fullness and pressure
behind the ear drum.
Conditions commonly referred
to as "TMJ," "TMD," "TM Joint Dysfunction
Syndrome," etc., are complex dysfunctions of muscles,
ligaments and joints involving the head, face and neck.
These conditions are typically caused by injuries such as
falls, automobile accidents, trauma at birth, etc. It is
very common for onset of symptoms to be delayed for months
or years, thereby leading the individual to believe that
the symptoms merely started on their own.
For many patients, tinnitus
is accompanied by other symptoms such as:
- Headaches
- Face pain
- Eye pain
- Earaches
- Dizziness
- Pressure in the ears
- Clicking noises or pain
when opening or closing the mouth
- Difficulty swallowing
- Burning tongue
- Frequent sore throats
We have found that patients
who have tinnitus as one of their symptoms, experience an
elimination of their ear sounds following treatment in the
vast majority of cases. However, patients who have tinnitus
without any other symptoms, are relatively unlikely to experience
improvement with treatment of the type discussed below.
Since approximately half of the people who experience tinnitus
also have other symptoms, a major proportion of tinnitus
sufferers can eliminate the source of their frustration.
Many assume that stress
is the cause of these conditions. However, stress makes
virtually any dysfunction worse. If a person has a heart
problem, under stress, they are more likely to have a heart
attack. Similarly, a person with a stomach ulcer, dysfunction
of the muscles of the head or even a broken leg, are likely
to feel worse stomach pain, headaches or leg pain respectively,
as a result of stress. Certainly, this does not mean that
stress was the cause of these conditions.
Treatment commonly employs
procedures which help stimulate muscles and joints to heal
and function normally, decrease spasm, remove toxic waste
products, and increase blood flow and nutrition to the affected
areas. In rare cases, surgery to the affected tissues (not
involving the ears) may be employed.
Over the last few decades,
we have come a long way in diagnosing and treating temporomandibular
joint dysfunctions, and accompanying symptoms such as tinnitus.
However, there's one additional
point to keep in mind. Time is of the essence. Our success
rate in treating tinnitus and the vast majority of other
conditions is over 90%, but unlike the other problems I
mentioned, such as headaches or facial pain, the success
rate for tinnitus drops as time passes.
Click
here to see an
article on this subject published by
The American Tinnitus
Association.
"Even if I
lived in California I'd come here for treatment for jaw
pain, migraines, and vomiting. The doctors and staff are
really excellent. - Jennifer R.
P.S. - I actually
forgot that before I came here I used to have ringing in
my ears.
“I can't believe
that after having such severe headaches and ringing in my
ears for so long, all the symptoms disappeared completely.
The pain was so terrible, that I found it difficult to read
and it interfered with my school work. I truly thank everyone
at the Center who contributed to my success!” - Shakenya
M.
“What a job
Dr. Klemons did building the Center and staff. As soon as
I arrived here I knew I was in good hands. Now that the
buzzing noise, pressure in my ears, and hoarseness are gone,
I’m back to work as a police officer and don’t
have to think about these problems anymore.” - Edwin
M.
“The hissing
was driving me crazy and the pressure in my ears was just
terrible. It feels like my joints have been greased. They’re
smooth and quiet. Everyone treated me wonderfully-always
explaining everything so clearly. I couldn’t be happier.”
- Myrna B.
“I would like
to thank everyone at The Center for Headaches and Facial
Pain for their extreme kindness and assistance to all my
needs and questions. They made what was a bad time in my
life very much more bearable. Before treatment I had terrible
headaches and ringing in my ears. I couldn’t even
smile. I can’t believe how great I feel.” -
Douglas R.
“I dealt with
jaw pain for nine years and when the ringing in my ears
started, I felt like I was going insane. In addition, day
in and day out, every single moment, I was thinking about
my face. It affected every part of my life. I went to so
many medical and dental specialists who all told me that
nothing could be done to help me–until I found Dr.
Klemons on the internet. I came here from Maryland six hours
round trip and was really skeptical--but now that it’s
gone–no amount of money or time would have ever stopped
me from coming here.” - Angela E.
“I used to
have such bad pain in my head and face and such terrible
noises in my ears that I thought I was going out of my mind.
Dr. Klemons and everyone here at the Center for Headaches
and Facial Pain have been so nice. I really appreciate all
they’ve done for me and recommend them to anyone in
need” - Naomi M.
“Day
and night I had the most awful ear pressure and ringing
which were driving me crazy. I woke up the day after Dr.
Klemons performed a painless procedure and all the pressure
and noise were gone. I’d recommend this office to
anyone.“ - Joseph R.
Note: Other procedures
were necessary prior to the trigeminal pharyngoplasty to
which this patient referred.
“After twenty
years of noises in my ears, it feels great to hear normally
- the noise is completely gone. I used to speak to people
and the noise would make me forget what I was talking about.
Everyone here is great. They treated me like I was one of
their own.” - Donna M.
“I couldn't
stand the thought of having to live with my jaw clicking
and the ringing in my ears for the rest of my life. It's
such a relief to have it all gone.” - Angela I.
"The many tinnitus
sufferers of the world know the hopeless, helpless feeling
which accompanies the condition. Finding a cure is rare,
and finding help is difficult. After two years of visits
to various doctors, it was a pleasure to find one with the
combination of empathy and ability. I sincerely thank you
for the great improvement in my tinnitus, since I can now
function much better during the day and sleep, finally,
during the night. Please continue to be involved in your
interest in this area, and may you help many others. My
best to you and your excellent staff." - Charlotte S.
“The worst
symptoms were loss of balance and noises in my ears which
were completely debilitating. I was worried to death that
they would never go away. At least ten doctors here and
in Europe misdiagnosed me. Seven Ear, Nose and Throat specialists
thought I had a viral infection in my ears. It’s so
wonderful to feel so good and ready to be discharged after
Dr. Klemons treated me for a short time. Without a doubt,
this is the best doctor’s office I’ve ever been
to.” - Iain S.
“When I came
here I was miserable because of headaches, earaches, and
ringing in the ears. But the level of service and level
of professionalism here turned me around. I really looked
forward to coming for treatment. I’m leaving without
pain or ringing and without the anxiety I had, knowing so
many new things about how to prevent it from coming back.
All the other doctors I’ve seen told me that Dr. Klemons
is really great.” - Vernette R.
"I was absolutely
terrified by the excruciating face, eye, and head pain,
and ringing in my ears that was so loud that I couldn't
hear anything else but the noise. I thought it was never
going to end and I really thought I was going to die. I'm
starting my life all over because it's all gone now " -
Carol G.
“Everyone
was so great to me here. I was really not optimistic before
we started treatment and never thought I’d find a
solution to the noise, pain, and pressure in my ears, which
I had for 12 years before coming here. To sum it up, it’s
been a great experience.” - Stephen L.
"When I first came
here, I could hardly do anything except lay around the house.
I had excruciating headaches and vomited every single day.
The ringing in my ears was driving me crazy. I'm so happy
it's all gone. Everyone here made me feel comfortable -
just like I was at home. - Anna E-T.
“I used
to sit on the floor and push my head against the wall as
hard as I could while screaming from the pain. I couldn’t
even talk to the doctors I went to and now I barely remember
how terrible it was like to be in pain. I’m so happy
I came here from North Carolina.
Dr. Klemons is the
first doctor who ever let me tell him what the entire problem
was. The fourteen specialists I went to at the medical schools
and private practices gave me almost fifty different medications
which never helped and often made me feel really sick or
gain weight. I flushed them all down the toilet.
Before I was treated
here, I had twenty-five different symptoms. These are just
a few of them:
Headaches all over
my head
A burning sensation in my tongue and all over my face
Pressure in my ears and eyes that made me feel like they
would burst
Difficulty swallowing
Dizziness
Horrible constant ringing in my ears
A crushing feeling in my face under my eyes
It’s just
amazing to be without the agonizing pain I had for so long.
It’s all gone since the RF procedure. I went shopping
the next day. Everyone here is so nice and the therapy is
so relaxing.” - Jennifer S.
“My
ear, nose, and throat specialist sent me here for earaches,
pressure and ringing in my ear, and dizziness. I don’t
have any of it anymore. I was surprised that I got better
really fast. You do good work. Everybody here is nice.”
- Kettly F.
“Thank you - Thank you so much. When I came here I had so much pain in my head, my face, eyes and ears. I also had ringing and pressure in my ears and I threw up from the migraines a lot of the time. Everybody here was so pleasant and cared about getting me better and they did. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone who has the symptoms I used to have.” Cassandra K.
“Dr. Klemons
gave my daughter back to me after years and years of headaches,
face pain, and ringing in her ears. I’m one of those
people who takes a wait and see approach. You have to really
earn my trust. But I watched the results every time she
came here. My daughter laughs again! The change is just
amazing to me. Every single person in this office has been
wonderful. We would have gone anywhere to get her better
and now it’s all gone.” - Beverly B. (Mother)
“The noises,
clogged feeling and pain I had in my ears, problems swallowing,
and a feeling that something was stuck in my throat were
so bad that I was miserable all the time, and I took it
out on my family. A lot of the time I had to lay still in
bed for days at a time. The headaches were so horrible that
I wanted to cut my head off. None of the doctors I went
to helped me until I went to The Center for Headaches and
Facial Pain. The doctors and staff were just wonderful.
Everyone always treated me like family. I’m so glad
that I’m well, but I have tears of sadness because
I won’t be coming here anymore. I’m a new person!”
- Anna B.
“I major in
composing at college and play a number of instruments. Before
I came here I heard noises in my ears which stopped me from
composing and playing. It was so frustrating! It’s
great to be back to normal.” - Niclaus D.
“I’m
so happy with the treatment which eliminated my dizziness
and ringing in my ears that I’m referring my family
here.” - James R.
“Pain in my
temple and ringing in my ear kept me from working. I’m
amazed at how fast it went away. Everyone here treated me
exceptionally well. I already told three people to come
here.” - Ida M.
“I
was always aggravated because of really bad ringing, pain,
and a clogged sensation in my ears, and dizziness until
my ear, nose, and throat specialist sent me here. Everyone
here is excellent. I give Dr. Klemons’ cards out to
people who have pain. I feel like a new person. I really
do. It’s all gone. Thanks God and thanks Dr. Klemons.”
- Maria C.
“It was really
a different experience for me to come here for ringing and
pressure in my ears as compared to any other doctor’s
office. It’s such a relief. You were able to diagnose
and treat my problems after so many other specialists failed.
You folks do excellent
work. The comments I read on this site are really true.
Everyone here really cares.” - Steven S.
“Ringing
in my ears made it almost impossible to drive. I’d
have to stop and wait on the side of the road. I had 6-8
spells everyday. It was like a seizure. I thought I’d
lose my driver’s license. It’s great that Dr.
Klemons and his staff made it all go away. He really has
everything here fine tuned like a motor. I never had to
wait. Everyone is always happy and makes the visits great.”
- Jeffrey M.
“I‘m
feeling great and I’m really grateful that Dr. Klemons
took away the headaches, earaches, jaw pain and ringing
in my ears. My family and I don’t know what would
have happened if I wasn’t referred to him.”
- Mary Jo M.
“The doctor who sent me here said that Dr. Klemons will treat you like family. He’s a wonderful doctor. My doctor was right. Everyone here is terrific. I only wish I came here sooner. All of my headaches, eye pain, dizziness, pain in my face, ear, and my throat, and ringing in my ears are gone” - Magdalena G.
“Ringing in
my ears was driving me crazy. It kept me from concentrating
which is critical to my job as a software engineer. I was
hopeful, but skeptical before I came here from New Hampshire.
The doctors and
staff here are very friendly, accommodating, and gave me
back my life.” - George R.
“Before
I came here from Alabama, dizziness was driving me crazy.
I couldn’t stand still without hanging onto something
and the ringing in my ears was really bothering me too,
and now it’s gone. I love everyone here. They all
make me feel right at home.” - Shannon W.
“For
two years, I didn't care about anything but getting better.
I came here from Oklahoma for ringing and pressure in
my ears, but now I'm back to myself.” - Gregory
F.
“I could write a book about how great I felt for six and a half years after I was treated here. All the excruciating headaches, eye pain, earaches, pain in my face and jaw, chest pain, and terrible dizziness, ringing in my ears, nausea, and difficulty swallowing were completely gone. It scares me to know that people can be in pain their whole lives not knowing that Dr. Klemons can get them better.
Unfortunately, I flipped head over heels and fell down stairs and that’s the only reason I had to return. I’m really happy to know I can come back here to get rid of the problem again.” - Carmella W.
If
you have chest pain please click here
“Earaches,
nausea, dizziness, ringing in my ear, and headaches were
so bad I thought I would faint. That’s why I cried
when I came here the first time. I’ll never forget
that day. My ear, nose, and throat specialist told me “I’m
going to help you. I’m going to send you to a good
doctor”. Thanks God he sent me here. My balance used
to be so bad when I was walking that I kept feeling like
I would fall. Now all of the problems have disappeared.
I’m so happy! Everyone here was so nice to me - from
the first day to the last day” - Maria B.
“When I came
here jaw pain, pain in my temples and ringing in my ears
kept me from eating (I needed a blender to grind up my food)
and I couldn’t sing (which is one of my favorite things
to do). None of that’s a problem anymore.
Everyone here was great - and I love the fact that I can
sing at jazz clubs again.” - Arlene H.
“Forty-one
years ago, I started getting terrible sinus headaches, jaw
pain, and earaches and ringing in my ears which kept getting
worse. Narcotic pain killers didn’t even work and
I could hardly ever sleep because of the pain. I never thought
it would go away, but it did. It’s excellent here.”-
Rona O.
“It was so
annoying to have ringing and pressure in my ears. I’m
amazed that the treatment worked because I never thought
it would go away. Everyone here was great.” - Irma
L.
Phone consultations with professionals
are welcome, or click
here to contact us. Dr. Klemons
and our staff would love to meet you in person. Call
732-727-5000 to set up an appointment today.
Patients are referred to us by physicians,
dentists, chiropractors, psychologists, physical therapists
and other professionals. However, many of our patients
are referred by former patients or based on their own
decision without the need for a referral.
