Table 1 Diagnostic criteria for somatic tinnitus (ST) listed by a group of ST experts [31]

Tinnitus modulation

 • By voluntary movements of head, neck, jaw or eyes

 • By somatic manoeuvres

 • By pressure on myofascial trigger points

Tinnitus characteristics

 • Simultaneous appearance of tinnitus and neck or jaw pain

 • Simultaneous aggravation of tinnitus and neck or jaw pain

 • Preceded neck or head trauma

 • Increasement tinnitus during certain postures

 • Varying tinnitus pitch, loudness and/or location

 • For unilateral tinnitus, the audiogram does not account for unilateral tinnitus

Accompanying symptoms

 • Frequent pain in the cervical spine, head or shoulder girdle

 • Presence of pressure tender myofascial trigger points

 • Increased muscle tension in the suboccipital muscles

 • Increased muscle tension in the extensor muscles of the cervical spine

 • Temporomandibular disorders

 • Teeth clenching or bruxism

 • Dental disease