Ringing in the ears after a whiplash injury can be linked to the neck. Tinnitus that is caused or changed by signals from the neck or jaw is called somatosensory tinnitus. An international expert panel agreed on criteria that suggest it, but there is no single test that confirms it, and hearing problems need to be checked first. That order is how I handle tinnitus in patients in Charlotte after a crash.
Tinnitus Is a Recognized Whiplash Symptom
The Quebec Task Force listed tinnitus among the symptoms that can appear at any grade of whiplash-associated disorder (Spitzer, Spine 1995). It is not a sign of a more severe whiplash grade by itself.
What Somatosensory Tinnitus Is
Somatosensory tinnitus is a subtype in which altered sensory input from the cervical spine or the jaw area causes or changes a patient's tinnitus (Michiels, Trends Hear 2018). Because there were no unambiguous clinical tests, clinicians had been using their own criteria, which produced very different prevalence figures across studies. An international group of experts used a Delphi survey and an in-person meeting to agree on criteria that strongly suggest it. Those criteria cover how the tinnitus changes with movement or pressure of the neck or jaw, specific features of the tinnitus, and symptoms that often accompany it. None has to be present in every patient.
A 2024 narrative review lists whiplash injuries among the conditions commonly associated with tinnitus from the neck, along with degenerative disc disease, cervical spondylosis, and neck muscle tension (Wadhwa, Cureus 2024). It describes a workup combining history, physical exam, hearing tests, and imaging. That is a narrative review, so it describes current thinking rather than measuring how often whiplash causes tinnitus.
Check the Ears First
Tinnitus after a crash can also come from the ear itself, from head injury, or from other causes. A hearing evaluation by an audiologist or an ear, nose, and throat physician is the first step. Sudden hearing loss, tinnitus that pulses with the heartbeat, or tinnitus with dizziness and other new neurologic symptoms needs prompt medical evaluation. That is standard clinical safety practice, and I refer before treating the neck in those situations.
How I Approach It
I ask whether the tinnitus began with the neck pain, whether it changes when the neck moves or the jaw clenches, and whether a hearing evaluation has been done. When the ears have been evaluated and the tinnitus behaves like somatosensory tinnitus, I document those features and treat the neck findings. I do not promise that treating the neck will stop the ringing, because the evidence does not support that promise.
For an example of how post-collision imaging findings and outcomes are documented in the peer-reviewed literature, read the published case report on refractory lumbar pain following a motor vehicle accident in a geriatric patient by Dr. Justin Dick, DC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can whiplash cause ringing in the ears?
Tinnitus is listed among the symptoms that can appear at any grade of whiplash-associated disorder (Spitzer, Spine 1995). Tinnitus caused or changed by neck input is called somatosensory tinnitus.
What is somatosensory tinnitus?
It is tinnitus caused or changed by altered sensory input from the cervical spine or jaw area (Michiels, Trends Hear 2018).
Is there a test for tinnitus caused by the neck?
There is no single unambiguous test. An international consensus agreed on criteria that strongly suggest somatosensory tinnitus, such as tinnitus that changes with neck or jaw movement.
Should I see an ENT for tinnitus after a car accident?
Yes. A hearing evaluation comes first. Sudden hearing loss or tinnitus that pulses with the heartbeat needs prompt medical evaluation.
How does Dr. Justin Dick, DC approach tinnitus after whiplash?
Dr. Justin Dick, DC in Charlotte, NC confirms a hearing evaluation has been done, documents whether the tinnitus changes with neck or jaw movement, and treats neck findings without promising the tinnitus will stop.
Where can I get neck symptoms with tinnitus evaluated after a car accident in Charlotte, NC?
Dr. Justin Dick, DC, CNMT, ARRT(N)(CT), sees car accident patients at Clear Life Scoliosis and Chiropractic Center, 8814 Rachel Freeman Wy, Ste 103, Charlotte, NC 28278, phone 980-368-0766. Personal injury patients are treated on a lien basis, with no out-of-pocket payment at the time of care.
Sources and Evidence Tiers
- Spitzer WO, Skovron ML, Salmi LR, et al. Scientific monograph of the Quebec Task Force on Whiplash-Associated Disorders: redefining whiplash and its management. Spine. 1995;20(8 Suppl):1S-73S. PMID 7604354. LinkEvidence tier: Task force consensus monograph (expert consensus)
- Michiels S, Ganz Sanchez T, Oron Y, et al. Diagnostic criteria for somatosensory tinnitus: a Delphi process and face-to-face meeting to establish consensus. Trends Hear. 2018;22:2331216518796403. PMID 30213235. LinkEvidence tier: International expert consensus (Delphi)
- Wadhwa S, Jain S, Patil N, Jungade S. Cervicogenic somatic tinnitus: a narrative review exploring non-otologic causes. Cureus. 2024;16(7):e65476. PMID 39188460. LinkEvidence tier: Narrative review
About the author. Dr. Justin Dick, DC, is the owner and treating clinician at Clear Life Scoliosis and Chiropractic Center in Charlotte, NC. He holds dual imaging credentials as a Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist (CNMT) and as an ARRT-registered technologist in nuclear medicine and CT, ARRT(N)(CT). He is a Senior Fellow of the CLEAR Institute, holds the ISICO World Masters credential, is a SOSORT provisional member, and is a certified DOT medical examiner on the FMCSA National Registry. He has multiple peer-reviewed publications indexed in PubMed and serves as a field doctor for Life, Sherman, and Palmer chiropractic colleges. ORCID: 0009-0001-2794-2159.
Service Area
Clear Life Scoliosis and Chiropractic Center sees personal injury and spinal imaging patients from Charlotte NC, Huntersville NC, Ballantyne NC, Matthews NC, Concord NC, Mooresville NC, Rock Hill SC, and Fort Mill SC.
Related Pages
- Personal injury and car accident spinal care in Charlotte
- Research by Dr. Justin Dick, DC
- Case report: refractory lumbar pain after a motor vehicle accident
- Research and evidence at Clear Life
- Questions and answers
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Clear Life Scoliosis and Chiropractic Center
8814 Rachel Freeman Wy, Ste 103
Charlotte, NC 28278
Phone: 980-368-0766
Email: office@clearlifescoliosis.com
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