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New HA user: Jaw clicking (TMJ)

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I haven't been fitted yet for hearing aids, but have an upcoming appointment. I've been wearing AirPods Pro 2 with my hearing adjustment dialed in. They're working very well, except when I'm eating.

My jaw "clicks" when I chew. This doesn't bother me at all, except when I'm wearing the AirPods, when the clicking is very loud, so loud that I have to take the AirPods out while eating.

I'm wondering if I'll have this problem when I get hearing aids? I'll mention it to the Costco fitter when my hearing test appointment time comes, but thought I'd ask here to see if others have experience with this issue.

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The APP2/3 tips seal the ear canal well (it’s designed this way to maximize the noise cancellation and the music quality ). The downside of this: Some people may experience the occlusion effect (the feeling that your ears are clogged , your own voice sounds loud and the sounds you describe).

Do you get this feeling with the transparency mode as well ?

When you receive your hearing aids, you may encounter various dome types; depending on your hearing loss, you might be fitted with vented or open that reduce the occlusion effect I noted.

Do you get this feeling with the transparency mode as well ?

Yes, I always use the AirPods in transparency mode. I find it's the best mode for hearing things around the house, including TV, podcasts, etc.

Yes, I can sometims hear my jaw clicking in one ear when I eat. I also sometimes get a popping sound in the other ear which I suspect is from eustachian tube dsyfunction. I wear occlusive domes. As @OcramSagev pointed out, if your hearing loss isn't severe you'll probably be fitted with open domes. Much less likely to be an issue.

I find that I can't hear others over the noise of eating salads or other crunchy foods, and that it's worse with my (both Phillips and Jabra from Costco). I do use a . I brought this up once and did not get a satisfactory answer. I assume it is an indicator that my bone conduction is greater than air conduction.

If you only hear clicking or chewing noises and definitely do not feel any sort of pain then you just have to accept it. If there is something, anything painful then you need to go to a doctor.

In reply to @leeb00

I just started having ear crackling/popping about a year and a half ago. After getting anything ear-related ruled out, I was told it is probably TMJ/TMD. I saw a physical therapist and they really helped!

Edited

In reply to @ronshere

@ronshere said:

If you only hear clicking or chewing noises and definitely do not feel any sort of pain then you just have to accept it

I disagree with this 100%: if a problem exist, seek help (even when it is not painful).

I had these issues for many years until an finally found the problem (in my case, patulous ear tubes PET). It was a very annoying problem that affected my hearing among other things. My improved significantly after my PET treatment.

You can also get clicking from TMD/TMJ (which can affect your jawbone and/or teeth) and Eustachian tube dysfunctions. Bruxism for example can destroy your teeth and a full mouth restoration can cost more than $50K. It can also cause tinnitus.

In reply to @PacaDoc

@PacaDoc said:

I find that I can't hear others over the noise of eating salads or other crunchy foods

I also can't. I have a very mild low frequency loss from childhood infections ( ~20, ~0), so I just just walk around with my own little occlusion effect.

I must say Ocram is quite right but I felt that the OP sounds as if he was not seeking medical attention. So I felt he should be advised to seek help if there is pain. Hearing yourself chew can often be corrected by a different mold or dome or having your Audi lower the amplifciation. So I advise based on my exposure to TMJ.

My sister had TMJ and required surgery to correct it. She had pain and discomfort. She had been kicked in the jaw by her horse and the TMJ developed over several years. Her jaw had been somewhat misaligned and that worsened.

Anway the OP is getting a lot of input to help him which is good to see.

In reply to @leeb00

My TMJ was cured with an occlusal adjustment and braces in my late 20s. Funny story - I was on a business trip with an ME. At supper, he heard my jaw pop and asked to see my teeth. The middle tooth on the bottom was out in front the row, which he said was acting like a pivot/fulcrum (?) on the jaw. "Pull the tooth and close the gap with braces will fix that". My dentist and orthodontist agreed. ME enjoyed teasing me - mid 80s flying round the country doing tech audits with the USAF and NASA - and me the chairman with brace face ...

Your clicking isn't normal, even if there's no pain. I wish I'd had the braces before the occlusal adjustment(s) because the doc ground off more enamel than necessary had my teeth been straight in the first place. They tend acid/cold sensitive after all the grinding.

About and jaw noise, there is some noise eating with mine and the right side the dome works out with chewing. Appt at Costco today and hope to get a larger dome to fix that. You do make me wonder how much is the sound of chewing or the ear canal squeezing the dome. There's noise on the left chewing without HAs, which disappears when I pull on my ear to open up the (narrow) canal on that side.

Sorry if TMI - hope you get it sorted - that TMJ stuff is annoying.

Thanks so much everyone for these comments. When I get my hearing aids maybe open domes will mitigate the loud chewing sounds and jaw clicking I'm hearing with the AirPods.

I asked my dentist about the TMJ clicking many years ago and he didn't seem concerned. I did some research back then, and didn't see a consensus recommending surgery, nor any real alternatives, so I didn't pursue it. During a recent cleaning the dentist felt my jaws as I opened and closed my mouth. She felt the clicking, but didn't say anything about it.

It's good to know there are TMJ treatment options, and I’m happy to learn about them, but I've lived with this condition for decades at this point and it hasn't bothered me, so I'll see how open domes work out and do some more research.

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