Introduction An earache (otalgia or ear pain) is pain in one or both ears that may last a short or long time. Earache is prevalent in the population with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJDs), but there is a dearth of epidemiologic studies regarding the association between TMJD and ear pain and ear fullness in older people. Objective To assess the presence of earache and ear fullness in elderly patients with TMJD. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in independently living, elderly individuals. TMJD was assessed by dental evaluation and earache was verified by medical history. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test and relative risk. Results Of the 197 subjects evaluated in this part of the study, 22 had earache, and 35 was verified by ear fullness. Of the 22 subjects with earache, none had conductive or mixed hearing loss in the ears tested. There was a significant association (p = 0.036) between the TMJD and earache (odds ratio = 2.3), but there was no significant association between the TMJD and ear fullness. Conclusion These results highlight the importance of identifying risk factors for earache that can be modified through specific interventions, which is essential in the prevention of future episodes, as well as managing the process of treatment of elderly patients in general.

Introduction Working conditions can contribute to the development of lifestyle-related diseases among teachers, including obesity and tinnitus. Describing tinnitus in relation to characteristics and comorbidities can help the treatment and prognosis of teachers affected by this symptom. Objective To verify a possible association between tinnitus complaint and body mass index (BMI) in teachers. Methods Cross-sectional study with a sample of teachers who responded to the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and to the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI). The BMI (kg/m2) was calculated based on self-reported body weight (in kilograms) divided by height (in meters squared). Nonparametric statistics were applied adopting a significance level < 0.05 Results A total of 83 teachers were assessed, with a mean age 48 ± 9.7 years old; 63.9% (n= 53) were females; 44.6% were eutrophic (n = 37), and 16.9% (n = 14) were obese. Of the total, 19.3% (n = 16) reported tinnitus. No differences were found between the groups and BMI (p > 0.05), although there was a significant difference between the Tinnitus and No Tinnitus groups for age (p < 0.001). The chi-squared test showed an association between age group and tinnitus (p < 0.028); those with tinnitus were in the 49 to 65 years old age group. In addition, there was a moderate correlation between tinnitus parameters (VAS; THI-Functional; THI-Total) and BMI. Conclusion There was a moderate correlation between tinnitus parameters and BMI indicating that, as the BMI increased, so did the impact of tinnitus in the lives of the teachers. Body mass index should be considered a factor in tinnitus assessment and rehabilitation process.

Purpose: to verify whether there is a correlation between tinnitus sensation and repercussion on the quality of life and craniocervical posture in teachers, participating in the Pró-Mestre project. Methods: a cross-sectional study with a sample of 90 teachers, mean age of 47.70 years, who responded to the Craniocervical Dysfunction Index (CDI), to verify the craniocervical posture, the analog visual scale (AVS), and the Portuguese adaptation of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), to investigate tinnitus and its impact on the quality of life. Appropriate statistical tests were applied, by adopting a significance level lower than 0.05. Results: out of the 90 teachers, 18 (20%) had tinnitus. There was a statistically significant difference between the sensation of tinnitus, according to the AVS and the craniocervical posture (CDI) in teachers (p <0.001). There was also an association between tinnitus complaint and right-rotation range of motion, with age and right lateral tilt being independent factors, regarding teachers' tinnitus sensation. In the correlation of the THI (total and domains), there was an association with cervical mobility, only in the left inclination. Conclusion: since a statistically significant difference was found between the subjective sensation of tinnitus and the craniocervical posture with a correlation between tinnitus sensation and repercussion on the quality of life and craniocervical posture in teachers, these aspects should be considered in the assessment of teachers presented with tinnitus, as well as further studies with a population of teachers, healthy adults, in order to increase the knowledge on the subject.