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Tinnitus and the Neck: Care in Redmond, WA

Honest information about ringing in the ears, and gentle NUCCA upper cervical care when your neck may be part of the picture.

Book a New Patient Appointment Call (425) 437-9974

Free consultation. Exam and x-rays are separate services with their own fees.

Reviewed by Dr. Justin Schallmann, DC, NUCCA Part 2 Certified · Updated November 2026

Tinnitus is hearing a sound, such as ringing, buzzing, hissing or humming, that has no outside source. It is very common, and it can be anything from a minor annoyance to something that disrupts sleep, focus and mood.

We want to be upfront: NUCCA chiropractic is not a treatment for tinnitus. Most tinnitus is linked to hearing loss or noise exposure and is best managed by an ENT and audiologist. In a smaller group of people, the neck or jaw can influence the sound. That is called somatic tinnitus, and it is the only situation where gentle NUCCA upper cervical care may play a supporting role.

What Is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus affects an estimated 10–15% of adults in the United States. For most people it isn't a disease on its own but a symptom of something else, most often changes in hearing.

01 · Hearing-Related Tinnitus

The most common type, linked to age-related hearing loss, noise exposure or ear conditions. Managed by an ENT and audiologist.

02 · Somatic Tinnitus

Tinnitus that is caused or changed by the neck or jaw. The sound often changes when you move your head, clench your jaw or press on neck muscles.

03 · Pulsatile Tinnitus

A rhythmic sound in time with your heartbeat. It can be linked to blood vessel conditions and always needs medical evaluation.

Signs Your Neck or Jaw May Be Involved

An international expert panel has identified features that strongly suggest somatic tinnitus. Not everyone has all of them, but clues include:

  • The sound gets louder, softer or changes pitch when you move your head or neck
  • The sound changes when you clench your teeth or move your jaw
  • Your tinnitus started around the same time as neck pain, a neck injury or jaw problems
  • Your tinnitus gets worse with neck pain or poor posture, and better when your neck feels better
  • Your hearing tests are normal or don't explain your tinnitus
  • You also have neck pain, headaches or TMJ symptoms

See a Doctor Promptly If You Have:

  • Sudden hearing loss in one or both ears. This is time-sensitive, so see a doctor or urgent care the same day.
  • Pulsatile tinnitus that beats in time with your heartbeat
  • Tinnitus in one ear only, especially with hearing loss in that ear
  • Tinnitus with episodes of spinning vertigo or ear fullness
  • Tinnitus with weakness, numbness, facial droop or vision changes. Call 911.

If tinnitus is affecting your mood or you are having thoughts of harming yourself, please call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Common Causes of Tinnitus

  • Age-related hearing loss, the most common cause
  • Noise exposure from work, music, firearms or military service
  • Earwax buildup or ear infections
  • Meniere's disease and other inner-ear conditions. See our Meniere's Disease page.
  • Medications, including some antibiotics, high doses of aspirin and certain chemotherapy drugs
  • Neck problems, including whiplash and chronic neck pain (somatic tinnitus)
  • Jaw problems, including TMJ dysfunction (somatic tinnitus)
  • Head injury or concussion
  • Blood vessel conditions, which usually cause pulsatile tinnitus

How the Neck Can Influence Tinnitus

Nerve signals from the muscles and joints of the upper neck and jaw connect with the parts of the brainstem that process sound. Research in both humans and animals has shown that changes in those neck and jaw signals can raise or lower the loudness and pitch of tinnitus in some people.

That is why some people notice their tinnitus change when they turn their head, clench their jaw or have a flare of neck pain. In these cases, addressing the neck may help, which is where gentle upper cervical care can fit.

Where NUCCA Care Fits, and Where It Doesn't

NUCCA (National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association) care is a precise, low-force chiropractic approach focused on the alignment of the head and upper neck. Here is an honest look at its role:

NUCCA Care Does Not

  • Cure tinnitus or repair hearing loss
  • Treat tinnitus caused by noise damage, aging or medications
  • Treat pulsatile tinnitus or inner-ear disease
  • Replace hearing tests, hearing aids, sound therapy or CBT
  • Replace evaluation by an ENT or audiologist

NUCCA Care May Help

  • When tinnitus changes with neck movement or neck pain
  • When tinnitus began after whiplash or a neck injury
  • Ease neck pain, stiffness and related headaches
  • Support jaw-related cases alongside your dentist or TMJ specialist

No Twisting

Your neck is never rotated or pushed to end range.

No Cracking

No thrust and no "pop," so no loud noise near your ears.

Precision Imaging

Upper cervical x-rays measure the exact direction and amount of misalignment.

Gentle Contact

Light, controlled hand pressure behind the ear.

What to Expect

Free consultation: Every new patient starts with a free consultation with Dr. Schallmann to review your tinnitus, any hearing tests you've had, and whether your neck may be involved. If your history doesn't point to a neck component, we'll tell you and recommend the right next step. The examination and x-rays are not part of the consultation. They are separate services with their own fees, and we'll explain all costs before anything is done.

Visits 1 and 2 (1 hour each): If you move forward, your first visit includes an examination and precision upper cervical x-rays. Your second visit reviews the findings and includes your first gentle NUCCA correction.

A trial period: We track your neck symptoms and your tinnitus loudness and distress over the first several weeks. If your tinnitus isn't changing, we'll say so honestly rather than continue care that isn't helping.

The Providers Who Lead Tinnitus Care

The national clinical practice guideline for tinnitus from the American Academy of Otolaryngology recommends a hearing evaluation for people with tinnitus, and highlights these evidence-based approaches:

  • Audiologist for a full hearing evaluation, and hearing aids when hearing loss is present
  • ENT (ear, nose and throat) physician to evaluate causes and rule out medical conditions
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which has the strongest evidence for reducing tinnitus distress
  • Sound therapy, using background sound to make tinnitus less noticeable
  • Physical therapist trained in neck and jaw treatment for somatic tinnitus
  • Dentist or TMJ specialist when the jaw is involved

The same guideline advises against routinely using medications or dietary supplements to treat tinnitus itself. We're glad to coordinate with your other providers and share findings with your permission.

When NUCCA May Not Be the Right Fit

  • You haven't had a hearing evaluation. Please see an audiologist or ENT first.
  • Your tinnitus doesn't change with neck or jaw movement and has no link to neck pain or injury
  • You have pulsatile tinnitus, which needs medical evaluation
  • You have sudden hearing loss or any of the warning signs above
  • Your tinnitus is clearly linked to noise exposure or age-related hearing loss

What the Research Shows

Research on the neck and tinnitus is early but growing. There are no clinical trials on NUCCA care for tinnitus. The studies below support that the neck can influence tinnitus in some people and that neck-focused physical therapy has helped a portion of patients with somatic tinnitus.

Tunkel DE, et al. (2014)

Clinical practice guideline: tinnitus.
Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, 151(2 Suppl):S1–S40.

The national guideline from the American Academy of Otolaryngology. Recommends hearing evaluation, education, hearing aids when appropriate, sound therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.

[PubMed] [DOI]

Michiels S, et al. (2018)

Diagnostic criteria for somatosensory tinnitus: a Delphi process and face-to-face meeting to establish consensus.
Trends in Hearing, 22.

An international expert panel agreed on criteria that strongly suggest tinnitus is being caused or changed by the neck or jaw.

[PubMed] [DOI]

Michiels S, et al. (2016)

Does multi-modal cervical physical therapy improve tinnitus in patients with cervicogenic somatic tinnitus?
Manual Therapy, 26:125–131.

In a randomized trial of patients with both tinnitus and neck complaints, 53% reported substantial tinnitus improvement right after six weeks of neck-focused physical therapy, and 24% maintained it six weeks later. The authors called for larger studies.

[PEDro record]

Research findings describe groups of patients, not guaranteed individual outcomes. Your evaluation will determine whether NUCCA care is appropriate for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a chiropractor cure tinnitus?

No. Most tinnitus is linked to hearing changes and is best managed by an audiologist and ENT. NUCCA care may help only when the neck is influencing your tinnitus, and even then results vary.

How do I know if my tinnitus is coming from my neck?

Clues include tinnitus that changes when you move your head or jaw, tinnitus that started with neck pain or an injury, and tinnitus that rises and falls with your neck symptoms. A hearing evaluation is still the first step.

Can whiplash cause tinnitus?

It can. Some people develop tinnitus after a neck injury, along with neck pain, headaches or dizziness. Learn more on our Auto Injuries / Whiplash page.

Can TMJ cause ringing in the ears?

Yes. The jaw joint sits right next to the ear, and jaw problems are a common cause of somatic tinnitus. A dentist or TMJ specialist is usually the lead provider. See our TMJ and Jaw Pain page.

Will a NUCCA correction make my tinnitus louder?

NUCCA corrections use light hand pressure with no thrust or popping, so there is no loud noise near your ears. Let us know right away if you notice any change in your tinnitus after a visit.

Do I need a hearing test first?

Yes, we strongly recommend it. A hearing evaluation by an audiologist is the standard first step for tinnitus and can identify hearing loss that hearing aids may help.

What is the most effective treatment for tinnitus?

There is no cure for most tinnitus, but cognitive behavioral therapy has the strongest evidence for reducing how much it bothers you. Hearing aids and sound therapy also help many people.

Is the first consultation really free?

Yes. Every new patient starts with a free consultation. The examination and x-rays are not part of it. They are separate services with their own fees, and we'll explain all costs before anything is done.

Related Conditions

Wondering If Your Neck Is Involved?

If your tinnitus changes with neck movement or started after a neck injury, a free consultation can help you decide whether NUCCA upper cervical care is worth exploring alongside your ENT and audiologist.

Dr. Justin Schallmann, DC, is NUCCA Part 2 Certified and one of fewer than 300 active NUCCA doctors listed by NUCCA.org.

Book a New Patient Appointment Call (425) 437-9974

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