Can tmj and tight jaw muscles cause muffled ears - how?

Theory: About 1/3 patients with a TMJ disorder describe muffled, clogged, or full ears. These symptoms are usually caused by eustachian-tube dysfunction, the structure responsible for the regulation of pressure in the middle ear. It is thought that patients with TMJ disorders have hyperactivity (spasms) of the muscles responsible for regulating the opening and closing of the eustachian tube.

Possibly: The back of the jaw joint is the front of the ear canal. Many of the nerves and blood vessels that go into the ear pass through the jaw joint. Therefore, itis possible there may be a structural or functional reason for the TMJ and muscles to affect the ears.

Maybe: Tmj and muscle pain can cause pain around the ears as well because of the close proximity of the ear and the jaw joint. Your dentist or ENT can evaluate you and your symptoms and find out which one is the main problem and where to start treatment.

Yes: Yes. Ear symptoms common with TMj. Mechanism largely unknown, may be related to eustachian tube dysfunction.