Tinnitus associates with a ringing sound in the ears. It also includes a buzzing, hissing, or whistling noise. The sound can be intermittent, constant, and fluctuate in volume. The noise may intensify in a room when background noise is absent. For example, at night which can interfere with sleep. Approximately 50 million adults in the United States experience tinnitus. Up to 90% of people with tinnitus have experienced some degree of noise-induced hearing loss. Tinnitus can be due to many different causes. Trauma-induced tinnitus from motor vehicle collisions is common.
Whiplash Related Studies
Studies show that an 8 mph (12.87 kmph) rear-end collision can result in 4.5g of neck acceleration. This can cause a sprain/strain injury to the neck that can lead to symptoms that characterize whiplash-associated disorders (WAD). These also include neck pain, back pain, mental fog, headache, balance disturbance, depression, anxiety, tinnitus, and more.
The process can also accelerate the head, essentially slamming the brain against the inside of the skull, followed by a rebound into the opposite side of the skull. Eventually, there is bruising on the brain, which is commonly called a concussion. It is more formally known as a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Mild traumatic brain injury shares many symptoms with WAD, including tinnitus. If symptoms persist, the condition term is post-concussive syndrome (PCS).
Researchers speculate that WAD and mTBI often co-occur and treatment to address cervical spine dysfunction commonly observed in WAD patients may also help patients with PCS. In 2015, a study involving five patients with diagnosed PCS received manual therapy treatment to address cervical spine dysfunction. There were improvements in several symptoms with PCS.
Chiropractors are highly trained to manage cervical spine dysfunction following a motor vehicle collision. Frequently, the symptoms of WAD, including tinnitus, improve once the dysfunction receives treatment. Chiropractic management utilizes manual therapies applied to the muscles and joints in the neck. If you are suffering from the aftermath of an MVC, visit us at Woodward Chiro today!
