Many individuals experience both a deviated septum and tinnitus, leading to questions about a potential connection. While a direct causal link isn’t widely established, this article explores how one might indirectly influence the other. It clarifies each condition and examines plausible, indirect pathways through which a deviated septum could affect tinnitus perception.
What is a Deviated Septum?
A deviated septum occurs when the nasal septum, the wall of cartilage and bone that divides the nasal cavity, is significantly displaced from the center. This misalignment can make one nasal passage smaller, impeding airflow. Most people have some degree of deviation, often without symptoms.
Common causes include developmental abnormalities present at birth or injuries to the nose. Symptoms often involve difficulty breathing through one or both nostrils, nasal congestion, nosebleeds, and facial pain. It can also contribute to noisy breathing during sleep or a reduced sense of smell.
What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the perception of sound or noise in the ears or head when no external sound is present. It is a symptom of an underlying condition, not a disease itself. The sounds heard vary widely, often described as ringing, buzzing, hissing, clicking, roaring, or humming.
This auditory phenomenon can be intermittent or constant, with varying loudness and pitch. Common factors associated with tinnitus include age-related hearing loss, exposure to loud noise, earwax blockage, certain medications, ear infections, Meniere’s disease, or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
How a Deviated Septum Might Influence Tinnitus
While a direct causal link between a deviated septum and tinnitus is not firmly established, several indirect mechanisms suggest a potential influence. A deviated septum can lead to chronic nasal obstruction, which might affect pressure regulation within the Eustachian tubes. These tubes connect the middle ear to the back of the throat and are responsible for equalizing air pressure. Impaired Eustachian tube function due to nasal issues can cause ear pressure, popping sensations, and potentially contribute to tinnitus.
Chronic inflammation and sinus issues arising from a deviated septum could also indirectly impact the ear. A crooked septum can obstruct sinus drainage, leading to chronic sinusitis. This inflammation might affect nearby structures, including the ear, through pressure changes or inflammatory mediators. Such conditions can lead to fluid buildup and pressure changes in the middle ear, sometimes resulting in a sensation of fullness, reduced hearing, and tinnitus.
In some instances, severe structural problems in the head and neck, including those originating from the nasal cavity, may lead to referred sensations or pressure that manifest as ear symptoms. This concept, known as somatosensory tinnitus, suggests that issues in the musculoskeletal system of the head and neck can modulate or even cause tinnitus. Significant nasal obstruction could contribute to broader head and neck tension or pressure imbalances that might then affect auditory perception.
The chronic breathing difficulties and discomfort associated with a severe deviated septum can contribute to overall stress and anxiety. These psychological factors are known to exacerbate or make existing tinnitus more noticeable, and can even trigger tinnitus symptoms in some individuals. The body’s stress response can influence how the brain processes sounds, potentially intensifying tinnitus perception.
Diagnosing and Addressing the Link
When a patient presents with both a deviated septum and tinnitus, healthcare providers, particularly ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialists, typically conduct a comprehensive evaluation. This involves a thorough examination of the nasal passages and ears, often utilizing specialized tools to visualize the internal structures of the nose. Hearing tests, such as audiometry, may also be performed to assess auditory function, and imaging like a CT scan might be considered to rule out other potential causes of tinnitus.
Addressing a deviated septum often begins with medical management for milder symptoms. This can include nasal sprays, decongestants, or antihistamines to temporarily improve nasal airflow and reduce congestion. However, the only way to physically correct a deviated septum is through surgical intervention, known as septoplasty. During septoplasty, the surgeon reshapes or repositions the cartilage and bone to straighten the septum and improve breathing.
A recent large-scale cohort study indicated that individuals with a deviated septum had a higher risk of tinnitus, and this risk significantly decreased after septoplasty. While correcting the deviated septum may alleviate indirect ear symptoms by improving Eustachian tube function or reducing inflammation, tinnitus management may also involve general therapies. These can include sound therapy, which uses external sounds to mask or distract from tinnitus, or counseling techniques like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help manage the emotional and psychological impact of tinnitus.