Need help with my TMJ please!

I have TMJ with not a lot of pain but more irritation such as a tired and stiff jaw muscles at times, tight neck muscles, some constant sinus congestion problems and my ears feel full with diminished hearing in both ears, though more in my right ear. When I yawn or open my mouth real big it seems to open up my ears and I can hear almost normal like again, but I quickly go back to having diminished hearing within seconds. I got a little sick this past week and am still getting over it, but the diminished hearing started shortly after I got sick so I'm hoping that once I get better sick wise that I'll have normal hearing again but i'm sure it's from the TMJ. I clench and grind my teeth, which is what causes my tmj problems I'm guessing and I'm a worrier and stress out some times so all this mixed together has created my TMJ. I've heard that if you let tmj go it will get worse but also that tmj doesn't really have any "cures" but there has to be exercises or something I can do because I don't want it to get worse and hope that I can get back to having normal hearing and a normal jaw area.

I'm looking for peoples opinions and helpful advice on possible exercises to help my tmj and cures if there are any. If theres any dentists or people with experience with TMJ I would really love to hear from you. Thank you all for your help in advance!

[scottma]

Although ear symptoms ,such as stuffy ear, fullness sensation, tinnitus, are commonly associated with temporomandibular disorder, thorough exam by an ENT is essential . Occlusal appliance therapy is a highly effective treatment modality in my practice.If you can not afford to see a tmj specialist, placing a piece of cotton roll between your front teeth may temporarily help relieve tmj associated symptoms. I personally do'nt believe jaw muscle excercise yields long term effect.

[Collegedummy]

Thank you for your very helpful comment. I have an appointment with an ENT in a couple weeks once the semester is over, I plan on getting this all checked out thoroughly because I want to nip this in the bud and not let it get worse. With whatever treatment I end up getting is it possible for my jaw to go back to normal and my diminished hearing and other problems to go away or am I now stuck with diminished hearing and everything else I have because of TMJ? If you could answer these questions I would greatly appreciate it and again thank you for all your help, you have been very helpful!

[scottma]

Your question is best answered by ENT. If diminished hearing is caused by tinnitus,and if tinnitus is caused by myofascial trigger point pathology of pterygoid and/or masseter muscle, successful treatment of tmd may eliminate tinnitus.

[Collegedummy]

Ok thank you hopefully I can get all this figured out and taken care of when I see the ENT.  You said before that in your practice you use Occlusal appliance therapy, I'm guessing this stops clenching and grinding people do at night while they sleep. Does this then cause the jaw muscles and jaw to go to how it used to be eventually or does it mainly just keep from the problems getting worse? Thank you so much for your help it means a lot to me, I look forward to your reply!

[scottma]

A well made occlusal appliance can eliminate bruxism and clenching. The above statement is from my personal observation and report from my patients. Literature probably says something differently. It's my consistent observation that patients report jaw muscle relaxation shortly after  the appliance is put on the mouth. Seeing a competent tmj specialist is advised.