Ringing, buzzing, or hissing that nobody else can hear is exhausting, and it often gets worse when the house goes quiet. For tinnitus treatment in Smyrna, GA, we start by making sure you have had the right medical checks, then look at what the neck, jaw, and balance system may be adding.
Dr. James Wright is a Doctor of Chiropractic with a diplomate in functional neurology through the American Chiropractic Neurology Board. He is not an ENT or an audiologist. Tinnitus belongs to those specialists first, and the NIDCD recommends starting with your primary care doctor, who may refer you to an ear, nose, and throat doctor and an audiologist.
Our role starts after that. The NIDCD lists head and neck injuries and jaw joint problems among the possible causes of tinnitus, and those are areas we can examine. If your ringing changes when you clench your jaw or turn your neck, or if it came on after a whiplash or a hit to the head, it is worth having someone check those links. Our broader vertigo and balance care page explains how we work with ear-related symptoms in general.
The NIDCD says there is currently no cure, and that treating a physical cause when one is found can reduce symptoms. We tell you what we find, what we think may help, and when to go back to your doctor. The first consultation is complimentary, and we are a private-pay practice.
Tinnitus is the perception of a sound with no outside source. Causes the NIDCD names include noise exposure, hearing loss, certain medications, earwax, head and neck injuries, and jaw joint problems, and sometimes no cause is clear. We cannot treat hearing loss or earwax, but we can work with your other providers on the pieces within our scope:
A complimentary first consultation about the sound you hear, when it started, and how it affects your days
Review of your hearing, medical, and medication history, with a suggestion to see your doctor or an audiologist first
A look at the neck and jaw, since the NIDCD lists head and neck injuries and jaw joint problems among possible causes
Eye movement and balance testing when dizziness or imbalance comes with the ringing
Hands-on work for neck and jaw tension when it fits
Exercises built around what the evaluation finds
Guidance on sleep, stress, and daily habits that may affect how noticeable the sound is
Coordination with your ENT or audiologist, with your permission
Tinnitus often has a pattern: louder after a bad night, after neck strain, or at the end of a stressful week. Tracking it with you helps identify what to avoid and what helps.
When muscle tension in the neck or jaw contributes, soft tissue work and posture changes may ease it. The NIDCD notes the cause is not always clear.
The NIDCD says no vitamins, herbal extracts, or supplements have been proven to help tinnitus (NIDCD, February 2023). We will not sell you one, and we can help you weigh what you see online.
You may end up with an audiologist for sound therapy, a doctor for medical review, and us for the neck and balance side. We are happy to share findings with your team with your permission.
Smyrna is a city of more than 56,000 people about ten miles northwest of Atlanta, and the office is on Atlanta Road. Two railways serve the city, along with Cobb Parkway and the interstates, so daily noise from rail and traffic is part of life here, and the NIDCD lists noise exposure as one cause of tinnitus. If your work or weekends involve loud places, ear protection is worth discussing with your audiologist.
Besides Smyrna, we hear from people in Vinings, Mableton, Marietta, and Cumberland. If you would rather be seen on the Atlanta side, see tinnitus treatment in Atlanta. When dizziness comes with the ringing, our page on vertigo treatment in Smyrna is the better place to start, and neck-driven pain is covered on neck pain treatment in Smyrna. For jaw clicking and pain, read about a TMJ specialist in Smyrna.
1. Reach out: Call or book. If the ringing came on suddenly with hearing loss, dizziness, or weakness, see a doctor right away.
2. Conversation: Dr. Wright asks about the sound, your hearing, your neck and jaw, and what has helped or made it worse.
3. Medical check: We confirm you have seen your doctor, ENT, or audiologist, because tinnitus has medical causes that need ruling out.
4. Evaluation: We look at the neck, jaw, eye movements, and balance for factors that may be adding to your symptoms.
5. Plan: If our approach may help, we build a plan from hands-on work and exercises and explain what to expect.
6. Review: We check how you are doing and adjust the plan, working alongside your other providers.
Not currently, according to the NIDCD. Finding and treating a physical cause can reduce symptoms, and sound therapy and behavioral therapy can help people cope.
Yes, ideally. The NIDCD recommends starting with your primary care doctor, who may send you to an ENT and an audiologist. Sudden ringing with hearing loss, dizziness, or weakness needs prompt medical attention.
They can contribute. The NIDCD lists head and neck injuries and jaw joint problems among possible causes. That is why we look at both.
No. Sound therapy is usually offered by audiologists. We can work alongside them.
The NIDCD says none have been proven to help tinnitus.
We are a private-pay practice and do not bill insurance, and your first consultation is complimentary. We discuss pricing before any care begins.
If the ringing is wearing on you, call 770-767-3830 or book a complimentary consult. The contact page has our hours and address.
Next steps
Your symptoms are part of the story, and we'd love to help you understand the rest. Book a consult online, or give us a call and we'll walk you through it. Your initial consultation is complimentary, with no obligation to begin care.
You can book a consultation online. Other appointments are booked by our clinic staff. [email protected]