Does Cervical Instability Cause Tinnitus (Ringing in the Ears)?

​Yes, "Somatosensory Tinnitus" is a type of ear ringing triggered by neck dysfunction. The nerves in the upper cervical spine (C1, C2, and C3) have direct connections to the parts of the brain that process sound. If these nerves are irritated by an unstable spine, they can create "ghost" sounds or a high-pitched ringing that fluctuates when you move your head.

Why does the ringing change when I turn my head?
If the pitch or volume of your tinnitus changes when you move your jaw or neck, it is a high-probability indicator of cervical instability. Unlike inner-ear damage, this type of tinnitus is mechanical. By stabilizing the upper neck at our Flagstaff clinic, we can often reduce the "noise" being sent to the brain's auditory centers.