30-Second Blog “Snapshot:”
- According to Live Science, there may be a connection between a condition that causes ringing ears called tinnitus and chronic pain.
- The report found both conditions experience similar changes in two areas of the brain, which may help researchers discover possible treatment options for the two ailments.
- The pain management specialists at Southwest Spine and Pain Center discuss the theory that ringing ears and chronic pain may be linked.
Tinnitus, a condition that causes a person’s ears to constantly ring, and chronic pain may share an unexpected link, according to researchers at Georgetown University. This theory comes after scientists found tinnitus and chronic pain experience similar changes in the two regions of the brain. These regions (the nucleus accumbens and the ventromedial prefrontal cortex) may act as “gatekeepers” for sensory stimuli, according to the report, which is why ringing of the ears and chronic pain may be linked.
Lead author of the review, Professor Josef Rauschecker, stated several systems in the brain help filter out signals and stimuli that may be dangerous, and over time, the brain recognizes noise isn’t a threat to a person’s health. However, for those with ringing in the ears, the brain ignores these signals completely and lets the brain accept noises among other things. This failure to sort out stimuli occurs in those suffering from chronic pain as well.
To evaluate this theory further, researchers analyzed a number of imaging studies of the brain. What they found was, patients with chronic pain or tinnitus had a smaller ventromedial prefrontal cortex than those who did not. Additionally, studies determined those with either condition had less gray matter in that region than others. Other similarities included activity levels in certain areas of the brain and control of information flow.
Despite the results of this review, there is still much that needs to be studied in regards to the connection between chronic pain and ringing in the ears. If you suffer from chronic pain, the best thing you can do to manage your symptoms is see a specialist in the realm of pain management. The team at Southwest Spine and Pain Center builds comprehensive treatment plans that provide interventional and minimally invasive pain care as well as behavioral health medicine. Talk to a Southwest Spine and Pain Center physician today to determine a treatment regimen that’s right for you!
If chronic pain is impacting your life, don't wait to schedule an appointment at Southwest Spine and Pain Center. With multiple locations across the state of Utah, the pain management specialists at Southwest Spine and Pain Center are dedicated to helping those who suffer from chronic pain live the life they want to! To schedule an appointment, visit our locations tab!
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.