Hi, my name is Dr. Ross Hauser, MD. Welcome to the Hauser Neck Center in Fort Myers, Florida. Hauser’s law number two states that if you have a chronic symptom and you follow the neurology, it will lead you to ligamentous joint instability.
In clinical settings, symptoms such as hearing loss, tinnitus, or ear pain frequently originate from referred pain or are attributable to nerve compression or irritation caused by instability in the upper cervical region or temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
The Role of Muscles and Nerves in Sound Sensitivity
Sound sensitivity involves two primary muscles in the ear: the stapedius muscle, which is innervated by the facial nerve, and the tensor tympani muscle, which is innervated by the trigeminal nerve.
How Nerve Impairment Affects Sound Dampening
These muscles are responsible for dampening sound. If there is a disruption in the nerve supply to these muscles—such as increased pressure on the trigeminal or facial nerve—the nerve impulses may not reach the muscles. Without these impulses, the muscles are unable to dampen sound effectively, causing everyday sounds to seem five to ten times louder than normal.
Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
Muscles play an essential role in the proper functioning of the eustachian tube. Specifically, if you experience ear pain accompanied by poor ear drainage, it may be due to the levator veli palatini muscle. This muscle, innervated by the vagus nerve, is responsible for opening and closing the eustachian tube. Dysfunction in this muscle can prevent normal tube operation, leading to discomfort and issues with ear drainage.
Cervical Instability, the Vagus Nerve, Hearing Problems
The vagus nerve is located adjacent to the cervical vertebrae. When the natural curve of the cervical spine deteriorates, it can disrupt the function of the vagus nerve. This disruption, what I call cervical vagopathy, may result in eustachian tube dysfunction. Individuals affected by these changes may also experience an accumulation of ear wax. If you frequently have excessive ear wax, it could be linked to a structural issue in the neck that prevents vagus nerve impulses from reaching the muscles responsible for opening the eustachian tube.
Beyond ear wax problems, hearing loss may also occur. If you are noticing a gradual decline in hearing, the auditory nerve could be affected. In some cases, the jugular vein may become compressed, leading to an accumulation of fluid around the auditory nerve. This excess fluid creates pressure, and if the nerve becomes damaged, it could result in permanent hearing loss.
Given these connections, anyone experiencing ear or hearing impairments should consider an evaluation for ligamentous cervical instability and cervical dystructure. At our office, we assess these issues using digital motion X-ray, which involves capturing movie-like images of the neck to observe its dynamic movements.
In this image, there is a left-to-right comparison of two patients’ neck curves. On the left is a normal cervical curve. The focus is on the correct position of the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve will be discussed below. In the abnormal curve demonstrated on the right, the vagus nerve is being stretched and compressed. It is this stretching and compression that can lead to the neurological-like, cardiovascular-like, psychological-like symptoms that many of our patients suffer from.
Dynamic motion imaging techniques, such as digital motion X-ray, are valuable for exposing cervical instability or ligamentous cervical instability. These technologies reveal motion-related structural issues that static imaging may not detect, revealing underlying problems that could contribute to ear and hearing symptoms.
Cervical Curve Correction and Prolotherapy
Cervical instability and breakdown of the cervical curve can be addressed through cervical curve correction. This process aims to restore the natural alignment of the cervical spine, improving nerve function and alleviating related symptoms.
One treatment option is Prolotherapy, an injection technique designed to stimulate the ligaments to thicken and tighten. As the ligaments thicken and tighten, the cervical instability is resolved. This restoration allows normal fluid flow out of the brain via the jugular vein. With proper drainage, pressure on the nerves is relieved, the associated muscles function correctly, and the symptoms—such as ear pain, hearing loss, and sound sensitivity—subside.