Tinnitus, that annoying whistling or buzzing in the ears, is not a problem in itself: it is the symptom of a deeper disorder.
While the main causes of tinnitus are well known, other underlying health problems can also trigger these sounds in the ear. However, as these disorders do not directly cause tinnitus, they are often overlooked.
A pinched nerve is one of those health problems that can subtly cause tinnitus.
In this article, we answer the question: can a pinched nerve cause ringing in the ear? But before that, let's first look at what a pinched nerve is, what causes it, and how to prevent it.
What is a pinched nerve?
A pinched nerve, also called radiculopathy, occurs when excessive pressure is exerted on one or more nerves in the body. This pressure disrupts the normal functioning of the affected nerve(s). It can come from the muscles, cartilage, tendons, or bones surrounding the nerve.
When the nerve function is disrupted, the person experiences pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, or difficulty controlling certain muscles.
A pinched nerve is often located at or near the nerve root, i.e., just as it exits the spinal cord.
Even if the compression is around the spinal cord, the pain is not felt at the exact point where the pressure is exerted: it rather radiates to the different parts of the body served by the compressed nerve.
For example, a compressed nerve root in the lower back can cause pain and weakness in the foot, while a pinched nerve in the neck can lead to pain and weakness in the forearm.
Similarly, a pinched nerve in the wrist can cause numbness and pain in the hand and fingers. When several nerves are compressed at the same time, it is called polyradiculopathy.
A pinched nerve can appear in many parts of the body.
A herniated disc in the lower spine, for example, can compress a nerve root and cause pain that radiates down the back of the leg. Similarly, a pinched nerve in the wrist can cause pain and numbness in the hand and fingers (carpal tunnel syndrome).
Symptoms
As we have already indicated, when a nerve is compressed, the effects are not felt at the site of compression, but in the parts of the body that the nerve serves.
Here are the symptoms of a pinched nerve.
1. Decreased sensation or numbness
Numbness and decreased sensation usually occur in the area of the body served by the affected nerve. Numbness most often indicates that the pressure on the nerve is leading to insufficient blood supply to it.
Numbness will probably not disappear until the pressure blocking blood flow is released.
2. Tingling and paresthesia
Paresthesia corresponds to this sensation of prickling, needles, or pins and needles. This symptom appears when a sensory nerve is compressed.
Since the sensory nerve is responsible for sensation, its compression creates a tingling sensation.
3. Sharp, burning, or dull pain
In this case, the pain felt can radiate outward. This is often a sign that the nerve is inflamed, or that a nearby structure is inflamed and pressing on it.
Sharp pain is most often felt at the end of the affected nerve, in the hand or leg.
4. Muscle weakness in a part of the body
Muscle weakness occurs when a motor nerve, responsible for transmitting messages to the muscle, becomes compressed. This weakness indicates that the muscle connected to the pinched nerve no longer receives the necessary instructions for its functioning.
5. Feeling that your foot or hand "falls asleep"
Poor posture can temporarily compress your nerves. This usually happens when you sit on your leg or lean on your arm in an uncomfortable position. The sensation most often disappears as soon as the pressure from your weight is released.
If, on the other hand, your hands and legs go numb without an identified cause, you will need a doctor to determine the origin of the compression.
It is important to note that most symptoms of a pinched nerve can also appear in other conditions such as multiple sclerosis, stroke, seizures, or heart attack.
You should therefore consult your doctor if any of these symptoms occur without apparent reason, especially if accompanied by other disorders such as difficulty breathing or coordination problems.
Causes of pinched nerves
As you already know, a pinched nerve occurs when a nerve is compressed or subjected to excessive pressure.
Let's take a closer look at the causes of pinched nerves.
1. Herniated disc
A herniated disc, also called a slipped disc, prolapsed disc, or bulging disc, is an injury to the shock-absorbing connective tissue between the vertebrae, caused by trauma or overuse of the spine.
An intervertebral disc consists of a soft, gel-like nucleus enclosed in a strong, elastic outer casing. A herniated disc occurs when part of this nucleus protrudes or escapes through a tear in the outer casing (the annulus fibrosus).
When you turn left or right, or tilt your head back and forth, pressure is exerted on the disc and vertebrae.
The disc acts as a shock absorber and absorbs the pressure exerted by the vertebrae. If this pressure is too great, the disc can protrude towards the nerve root and spinal cord. This bulging can irritate the nerve or press on it.
A herniated disc can cause intense pain, especially if the tear in the annulus fibrosus is large enough that part of the nucleus is expelled from the center of the disc.
If the tear in the annulus is near the spinal canal, the pulpy nucleus can press against the spinal nerves; this pressure on the nerve can cause numbness, pain, and weakness along the nerve pathway.
Furthermore, chemicals released by the ruptured disc can irritate the nerve root and cause very severe pain.
In addition to excessive pressure, a herniated disc can also occur when the disc has been weakened by a degenerative process related to age or degenerative disc disease.
2. Overuse of certain body parts
Even if your body is designed to function continuously, most of its parts can go awry with overuse. Overusing a body part like the hand can cause a pinched nerve.
People whose hobbies or professional activities require repetitive or continuous movements of the wrist, hand, or shoulder—assembly line work, prolonged keyboarding—are particularly susceptible to pinched nerves.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a good illustration of how overuse can cause a pinched nerve: it is caused by repeated wrist extension and flexion movements.
It occurs when the median nerve, which passes through the carpal tunnel, becomes compressed due to the narrowness of this tunnel.
3. Obesity
Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. Obesity can lead to many health complications: diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and back pain.
Obesity can also increase the risk of pinched nerves.
Excess weight can cause the discs and vertebrae to compress the nerves in the spine.
Obesity can also promote the degeneration of intervertebral discs, making the person prone to herniated discs, one of the main causes of pinched nerves.
4. Bone spurs
Bone spurs, also called osteophytes, are small, smooth, hard bone growths that form at the ends of bones after an injury to a joint or tendon.
They often appear in the joints of various body parts: neck, spine, shoulders, hips, hands, knees, and heels. The formation of osteophytes is the body's way of trying to repair damaged bone by adding bone material to the injured area.
Osteophytes can be caused by overuse, obesity, degenerative osteoarthritis, lupus, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Even though most osteophytes do not cause serious health problems, they can affect the nerves.
If the osteophyte grows, it can start to irritate, rub, or compress nearby nerve roots. In this case, symptoms similar to those of a herniated disc appear, such as numbness and muscle weakness.
5. Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the causes of pinched nerves. One of its major symptoms is joint swelling.
When a joint swells, the nerves around it can become compressed, especially if the swollen joint presses on the nerve. Inflammation of the swollen joint can also irritate nearby nerves.
Once the nerves are affected, they transmit sensations of numbness, tingling, and pain to the brain, which manifest in the different parts of the body served by the affected nerves.
Rheumatoid arthritis can also lead to the deterioration of the spinal joints; this degradation can lead to compression of the spinal cord and spinal nerve root.
6. Diabetes
Diabetes can damage nerves: this is called diabetic neuropathy. It is the most common complication of diabetes, and it can be mild or severe. High blood glucose levels eventually damage nerves in the long term.
Symptoms of diabetic neuropathy include pain, numbness, burning sensation, loss of sensation in the lower legs, and tingling in the feet and legs.
7. Other causes
In addition to the six causes of pinched nerves we have just discussed, other factors can increase your risk of suffering from them. Here are some of these risk factors.
Thyroid diseases
Thyroid diseases predispose to carpal tunnel syndrome.
Gender
Women are more susceptible to carpal tunnel syndrome than men. This is partly due to the fact that their carpal tunnel is narrower.
Pregnancy
Weight gain and water retention during pregnancy have the same effect on the spine as obesity. This extra weight can put pressure on the spine and compress nerves. In addition, weight gain can cause nerve pathways to swell and lead to nerve compression.
Prolonged bed rest
Remaining bedridden for a long time can lead to nerve compression, especially if the lying position is poor.
Can a pinched nerve cause ringing in the ear?
Short-term pinched nerves usually cause no permanent damage. In most cases, as soon as the pressure is relieved, nerve function returns to normal.
However, if the pressure on the nerve is prolonged, permanent damage can occur, accompanied by very intense pain.
Whether short-term or long-term, a pinched nerve can affect the functioning of the ear.
While there is no certainty that a pinched nerve directly causes tinnitus, it is clear that it can affect the ear in different ways.
In most cases, tinnitus is a side effect of the underlying health problem that causes the pinched nerve.
The human cervical spine is divided into two parts: the upper part, composed of the first and second vertebrae and the occiput, and the lower part, which includes vertebrae 3 to 7.
As soon as an abnormality appears in the cervical spine, especially in its upper part, the arteries and nerves connected to the ear can be affected.
For example, if you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, there is a good chance that you will experience tinnitus, or even hearing loss.
In addition to the fact that rheumatoid arthritis can affect the ossicles, cartilage, and joints of the ear, research has shown that hearing loss suffered by arthritic patients may be related to attacks directed at the joints and tissues.
This is very common in people with autoimmune forms of arthritis.
Since rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, it increases your vulnerability to autoimmune diseases of the inner ear. Your immune system then attacks the structures of the inner ear, such as the cochlea, causing dizziness and ringing in the ear (tinnitus).
In addition to rheumatoid arthritis, other causes of pinched nerves such as obesity and diabetes can affect hearing.
Let's briefly examine them one after another.
Obesity: Excess fat related to obesity not only compresses the spine and nerves; it also puts a strain on the walls of the capillaries. These then struggle to efficiently transport oxygen to the hair cells, which play an essential role in hearing. If the inner ear hair cells do not receive enough oxygen, they can be damaged, which can lead to permanent tinnitus or hearing loss.
Diabetes: Research has shown that people with diabetes are more than twice as likely to develop hearing loss as non-diabetics. This hearing loss often occurs when the nerves and blood vessels of the inner ear are damaged.
When blood vessels are damaged, the hair cells of the cochlea can lose their ability to pick up sounds, resulting in sensorineural hearing loss or tinnitus.
While most of these diseases can affect hearing, they are not the only causes of tinnitus. Ototoxic drugs are the second culprit. These are drugs used to treat certain conditions, but which can cause or worsen tinnitus.
Certain medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen are prescribed to relieve pain, and the treatment of certain conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis can also cause tinnitus.
If you hear ringing in your ear while taking any of your prescribed medications, tell your doctor. In most cases, they will prescribe an alternative treatment with fewer side effects.
Now that the link between a pinched nerve and ringing in the ears is clearer, let's look at how to treat a pinched nerve.
Treatment of pinched nerves
For some types of pinched nerves, you will need to consult a professional. However, you can relieve pain at home using the remedies presented below.
The advantage of these remedies is that you can combine several at once. You can choose one according to your doctor's recommendation or your preference.
1. Standing desk
Standing workstations are becoming increasingly common, and this is no coincidence. Standing during the day is essential for treating and preventing a pinched nerve.
Moreover, if you suffer from a pinched nerve or want to avoid it and you work long hours, talk to HR about a desk change that would allow you to work standing up. If a standing desk is not possible, try to move more every hour.
You can also take advantage of an hourly stretching program or massage balls to relax contracted muscles, especially if you are constantly at the keyboard.
Keep in mind that wrist supports and splints are not recommended as treatment in the early stages.
2. Apply heat
Heat helps you relax contracted muscles around the pinched nerve. It also improves blood circulation, which promotes healing. You can use heating pads, available in different sizes in most pharmacies.
Simply hold the heat source firmly and directly on the pinched nerve for at least 10 to 15 minutes each time.
3. Change posture
You may need to change the way you sit or stand to relieve pinched nerve pain. Choose the position that relieves you the most and maintain it for as long as possible.
4. Ice
It helps reduce inflammation and swelling. Wrap an ice pack in a towel, then place it directly on the pinched nerve for 10 to 15 minutes.
5. Elevate legs
If you have a pinched nerve in your lower back, try elevating your legs at a 90-degree angle at the knees and hips.
6. Rest
Regardless of the location of the pinched nerve, it is recommended to get plenty of rest and avoid activities that may cause you pain, such as texting, playing golf, or tennis.
Allow yourself long periods of rest until the pinched nerve symptoms disappear. That said, as soon as you start moving again, pay close attention to your sensations. And immediately stop the activity if the symptoms reappear.
7. The Splint
In the case of carpal tunnel syndrome (pinched nerve in the wrist), you can wear a splint to protect your wrist and rest your arm.
This is particularly useful at night, to avoid bending your hand into a bad position while you sleep.
8. Gentle Stretches
Gentle stretching can relieve pressure on your nerves and alleviate your symptoms, but don't overdo the stretch. If you start to feel discomfort or pain, reduce the range of motion. Keep in mind that even the smallest movements are beneficial.
9. Taking an Over-the-Counter Pain Reliever
You can take over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as Motrin IB, Advil, or ibuprofen, to relieve pain. Read the drug's leaflet and follow the instructions. But always consult your doctor before starting any new treatment.
When should you see a doctor?
As soon as you notice that the pain is constantly returning, that it is constant and severe, consult a doctor. Most often, they will ask you many questions and prescribe tests to determine the cause of the pinched nerve.
If numbness, tingling, and pain persist, you must consult a doctor. The doctor will likely prescribe a more suitable anti-inflammatory or perform additional tests, such as an X-ray, to precisely locate the pinched nerve. They may also prescribe physiotherapy sessions, which help to make the symptoms disappear.
That said, you should stop any home treatment if it worsens your symptoms or causes you pain. If you have tingling or numbness that does not go away or worsens, contact an orthopedic physiotherapist or your doctor.
Here are the symptoms you should pay attention to, which indicate that a medical consultation is necessary.
When the pinched nerve prevents you from grasping objects.
When your home treatments are not working or are making the situation worse. Your doctor will likely prescribe physiotherapy, painkillers, or surgery to make the symptoms disappear.
When the pinched nerve affects your bladder or bowel movements.
Conclusion
Tinnitus associated with a pinched nerve or related conditions cannot be treated in isolation. In other words, the underlying cause of the tinnitus (in this case, the disease) must be treated to relieve it.
When medical care is delayed, irreversible damage can affect the ear and lead to permanent tinnitus or hearing loss.
Have you ever suffered from tinnitus at the same time as a pinched nerve? What was the cause and how did you treat it? At CLARIA, we would love to hear about it.
