Masseter TENS Therapy for Bruxism Tinnitus Relief

Masseter Muscle Stimulation Reduces Tinnitus Linked to Bruxism

A new study from Ankara University provides evidence that stimulating the jaw muscle can relieve tinnitus in people who also grind their teeth. The research, published in Brain and Behavior, tested a specific form of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) applied to the masseter muscle. In adults with chronic tinnitus and normal hearing, the treatment reduced tinnitus handicap by an average of nearly 20 points on a standard scale.

Lead author Zehra Aydoğan and her team focused on a subgroup of tinnitus patients where a somatosensory link is strongly suspected: those with bruxism. The clenching and grinding of teeth can alter input from nerves in the head and neck, which may influence auditory processing pathways and contribute to tinnitus perception. Their goal was to see if modulating this input at its source—the powerful masseter muscle—could bring relief.

How the Study Was Conducted

The researchers recruited 31 adults with normal hearing thresholds and chronic subjective tinnitus they attributed to bruxism. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups. The treatment group of 18 individuals received pencil-electrode TENS therapy on their masseter muscles four times per week for five weeks. A control group of 13 individuals received no intervention.

The team used a range of measures to track changes. These included the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) for tinnitus impact, Visual Analog Scales (VAS) for both tinnitus loudness and jaw discomfort, and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) questionnaire. They also measured oral behaviors, jaw range of motion, and general quality of life with the SF-36 scale. All assessments were done before and after the five-week period.

Significant Improvements Across Multiple Measures

The results showed clear benefits for the group receiving TENS therapy. Their total THI scores dropped significantly, indicating a reduced burden from tinnitus. Subscales of the THI measuring functional, emotional, and catastrophic responses also improved.

Jaw discomfort, measured on the VAS, decreased substantially. Participants also reported their tinnitus severity as lower on the same scale. Anxiety scores on the GAD-7 fell, and reports of oral parafunctional behaviors on the Oral Behavior Checklist diminished.

Physically, mandibular range of motion increased, and the SF-36 quality of life survey showed specific gains in the pain and general health domains. The control group, in contrast, showed no significant changes on any of these measures over the same period.

The full details are available in the research paper: PMID: 42050847 / DOI: 10.1002/brb3.71443.

Practical Implications for Patients and Clinicians

This study points to a practical, non-invasive treatment option for a specific tinnitus population. For individuals who have both chronic tinnitus and bruxism, pencil-electrode TENS applied by a clinician could be a viable path to explore. The treatment appears to address the problem from two angles: by directly reducing masseter muscle tension and discomfort from bruxism, and by indirectly modulating the neural circuits involved in tinnitus perception.

The mechanism is thought to be somatosensory neuromodulation. By providing controlled electrical stimulation to the nerves in the masseter, the therapy may help normalize aberrant signaling between the somatosensory and auditory systems. This aligns with broader concepts of tinnitus strategies based on neuroplasticity research, which seek to retrain the brain’s response to internal and external signals.

It is important to note this therapy is not a one-size-fits-all solution for tinnitus. It was tested specifically on individuals with normal hearing and a clear link to bruxism. For others, different approaches, such as the counseling interventions reviewed elsewhere on this site, may be more appropriate. Furthermore, any TENS application near the head and neck should be administered by a qualified professional aware of potential risks, as highlighted in a related case report on vasovagal syncope after neck nerve treatment.

A Targeted Approach to a Complex Condition

The work by Aydoğan and colleagues demonstrates the value of targeting specific suspected drivers of tinnitus. Instead of treating tinnitus as a uniform condition, this approach identifies a subgroup—bruxers with normal hearing—and applies a treatment tailored to their likely underlying mechanism.

The improvements extended beyond tinnitus itself to include related issues like anxiety and physical jaw function, suggesting a holistic benefit. This targeted method represents a logical step forward in tinnitus care, moving toward more personalized treatment plans based on a patient’s individual profile and comorbidities.