Tinnitus as a comorbidity to temporomandibular disorders—A systematic review

Abstract

The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the prevalence of tinnitus in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and the possible effects of TMD treatment on tinnitus symptoms. A search of the PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane databases from inception of each database up to January 2017 found 222 articles. After independent screening of abstracts by two of the authors, we assessed 46 articles in full text. The inclusion and exclusion criteria reduced these to 25 articles of which 22 studies reported prevalence based on 13 358 patients and 33 876 controls, and eight studies reported effect of TMD treatment on tinnitus based on 536 patients and 18 controls. The prevalence of tinnitus in patients with TMD varied from 3.7% to 70% (median 42.3%) whereas the prevalence in control groups without TMD varied between 1.7% and 26% (median 12%). The eight treatment studies indicated that treatment of TMD symptoms may have a beneficial effect on severity of tinnitus. However, only one treatment study included a control group, meaning that the overall level of evidence is low. The finding that tinnitus is more common in patients with TMD means that it can be regarded as a comorbidity to TMD. However, in view of the lack of evidence currently available, further well-designed and randomised studies with control groups are needed to investigate whether possible mechanisms common to tinnitus and TMD do exist and whether TMD treatment can be justified to try to alleviate tinnitus in patients with TMD and comorbidity of tinnitus.

Audiology and oral health professional students: An interprofessional education collaboration

“…Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) are quite common, with a prevalence between 10%−15% in the general population. 17 Women are affected twice as often as men and it is most common in the 20−40 age group. 17 A study of patients at a craniofacial pain clinic revealed 69% percent of TMD patients complained of aural symptoms, compared to 29% of patients without TMD.…”

“…17 Women are affected twice as often as men and it is most common in the 20−40 age group. 17 A study of patients at a craniofacial pain clinic revealed 69% percent of TMD patients complained of aural symptoms, compared to 29% of patients without TMD. 18 As other studies have reported, aural symptoms in TMD patients include otalgia, tinnitus, vertigo/dizziness, and subjective hearing loss.…”

“…18 As other studies have reported, aural symptoms in TMD patients include otalgia, tinnitus, vertigo/dizziness, and subjective hearing loss. [17][18][19][20] Up to 50% of ear pain, or otalgia, is thought to be referred. Of this 50%, 38% is referred from a primary dental source, such as caries or an impacted third molar, and 35% is referred from the TMJ.…”

Prevalence of otological symptoms and parafunctional habits in patients with temporomandibular dysfunction

“…This is in agreement with findings described in previous studies, in which the larger portion of the sample was composed of women. 6,7,12,20,[22][23][24][25][26][27] To explain…”

“…4 Otological symptoms are frequent in individuals with TMD, and the most commonly cited in the literature are tinnitus (ringing in the ears), dizziness, vertigo, earache and a sensation of ear fullness. 1,[5][6][7] Some theories state that hyperactivity of the masticatory muscles generates problems in the stomatognathic system and, due to the anatomical proximity, the inner ears can be affected. 2,8 Parafunctional habits are defined as any nonfunctional neuromuscular activity of the stomatognathic system resulting from the repetition of an action that is considered pleasant by the individual exercising it.…”