Do you ever hear ringing, buzzing, or pulsing sounds that no one else seems to notice? You're not imagining things. Chances are, you're experiencing tinnitus , a condition that affects up to 20% of people, according to the Mayo Clinic . Tinnitus has many possible causes, including ear infections, head injuries, or even the early stages of hearing loss. Certain medications can also trigger it or make it worse.

One lesser-known cause is a problem with the joint that connects your jawbone to your skull, called the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). If you grind your teeth — a condition known as bruxism — it puts extra pressure on the TMJ, which can also affect the nerves connected to your ear. That ringing you hear could be your body's way of responding to the stress and strain from bruxism.

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