[jamest (OP)]

George writes in:

I used to chew a lot of gum, probably on average over a pack a day. I developed tinnitus a couple years ago and was told nothing could be done. However, when I stopped chewing gum, my tinnitus stopped, and when I started chewing gum a lot again it came back. Why might this be the case?

[paul cotter]

I would not have thought so, as tinnitus is generally considered to be caused by damage to the hair cells in the inner ear. I cannot see how chewing could have an influence on these structures but obviously I cannot disprove such a conjecture.

[vhfpmr]

I can modulate the volume of my tinnitus by moving my jaw, it gets louder when I pull my jaw back toward my neck or tense the muscles.

[Petrochemicals]

I would say probably to some degree. I have a sound in my ears I am aware of sometimes and very very occasionally my ears do exhibit a clear whirring sound which is like a 1940s TV UFO sound, I don't know what causes it, but it is distinct. Permanent tinnitus from ear damage is a world away from the general background tinnitus,  I don't know what degree you have had tinnitus to.