That's really interesting and encouraging that the tongue exercises work.

I hope it resolves fully - and soon - without any other intervention.

All the best to you Omah x

Omah, I hope you are feeling much better soon.

Thank you for this thread, as my sister has had ear pain for almost 6 months and despite scans, blood tests, dental visits & Xrays her consultant has no idea what is causing it..... but he has never mentioned TMJD.
She is due to return to the hospital at the end of November and, thanks to your thread, we are going to ask if TMJD could be what is causing it.

TMJD is a symptom complex rather than a single condition, and it is thought to be caused by multiple factors. However, these factors are poorly understood, and there is disagreement as to their relative importance. There are many treatments available, although there is a general lack of evidence for any treatment in TMJD, and no widely accepted treatment protocol. Common treatments include provision of occlusal splints, psychosocial interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy, physical therapy, and pain medication or others. Most sources agree that no irreversible treatment should be carried out for TMJD.

About 20% to 30% of the adult population are affected to some degree. Usually people affected by TMJD are between 20 and 40 years of age, and it is more common in females than males. TMJD is the second most frequent cause of orofacial pain after dental pain (i.e. toothache).

The SNAP device for ear, nose and throat surgeons was created after Burton-upon-Trent consultant Amged El-Hawrani died with Covid-19 in March. He was one of the UK's first senior medics to die with the virus, his death showing that they were at serious risk.

The device clips over patients' masks to prevent the virus spreading through coughs and sneezes. It was developed by surgeons Ajith George and Chris Coulson, who said nasendoscopy procedures - where a small flexible tube fitted with a camera is inserted into the nose - often made patients cough, splutter and sneeze.

It works by clipping on to either side of a normal surgical face mask, creating a hole for an endoscope to be inserted while keeping the patient's nose and mouth completely covered. When it is removed, a one-way valve closes the hole so no virus can escape. Four thousand of the devices will be provided to all NHS hospitals with an ear, nose and throat department for free

Usually 500,000 nasendoscopies are performed by the NHS each year. But due to the risks, surgeons are currently only doing 10% of their normal work. 4,000 of the devices will be provided to all NHS hospitals with an ear, nose and throat department for free.

Sorry to hear you've been having some health issues Omah, I hope the results are that whatever it is that's causing problem it can be remedied easily.

MRIs aren't very pleasant, I hate the banging sound.

Take care