Are temporomandibular disorders and tinnitus associated?
From: Cranio. 2012 Jul;30(3):166-71.
The current study aimed to research the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders in patients with subjective tinnitus, as compared to controls, and the association between symptoms of temporomandibular disorders, tinnitus, and chronic pain.
Two hundred patients were divided into two groups, according to the presence (experimental) or not (control) of subjective tinnitus. The subgroups were determined according to the RDC/temporomandibular disorders criteria. The Pain Pressure Threshold values of the masseter and temporalis muscles were recorded bilaterally, and a Visual Analog Scale was used to address subjective pain. The most prevalent temporomandibular disorders subgroups in the tinnitus patients were myofascial pain with limited opening (39.0%), disc displacement with reduction (44.33%), and arthralgia (53.54%).
The severity of tinnitus was significantly associated with the severity of chronic pain. The Pain Pressure Threshold values were lower, while the Visual Analog Scale was statistically higher for the tinnitus patients. These results suggest that an association exists between temporomandibular disorders and subjective tinnitus.
This is in confirmation with a previous study: Tinnitus in individuals without hearing loss and its relationship with temporomandibular dysfunction
Related Sources:
The Relationship between Tinnitus and Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) Therapy