The AAO Journal, 2026/06, 36(2):8–12. doi: 10.53702/i2375-5717-36.2.8, type of study: ,cr,,,,,,,,

Full text    (https://aaoj.kglmeridian.com/view/journals/aaoj/36/2/article-p8.xml)

Keywords:

case report [736]
female [654]
heel lift [11]
leg length discrepancy [5]
OMT [3924]
osteopathic manipulative treatment [3945]
tinnitus [22]
women [607]

Abstract:

Tinnitus, the perception of sound without an external source, is often linked to auditory dysfunctions. It may also stem from craniofacial and cervical dysfunctions, which is described as somatosensory tinnitus. This case report describes a 59-year-old female with chronic right-sided tinnitus, worsened over the past year, and accompanied by right-sided temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and sinus congestion. The patient had a history of leg length discrepancy, cervical instability, and a family history of tinnitus and cervical issues. Physical examination revealed somatic dysfunctions, including hypertonic cervical muscles, a posteriorly rotated innominate, fibular head misalignments, and TMJ tenderness. Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) was applied to address cranial, cervical, and pelvic dysfunctions, and a 3mm heel lift was prescribed to correct leg length discrepancy. The patient also followed a postural retraining regimen focusing on cervical muscle strengthening. Within one week of heel lift implementation and two weeks of OMT, the patient reported a shift in tinnitus pitch from high to low, along with improvements in TMJ pain and sinus congestion. This case highlights the potential benefits of a comprehensive osteopathic approach, including addressing TMJ dysfunction, in the management of somatic tinnitus.