The Otological manifestation of temporomandibular disorders

Abstract

Aims: To detect the frequency of TMD, analyzing its symptoms, and to determine its otological manifestations as otalgia, tinnitus, ear fullness, and hearing impairment. Patients and Methods: During 4 months period, 350 patients visiting ENT department for their ear complaints, only 72 patients were selected and submitted to this study by filling the questionnaire regarding their symptoms of TMD and their otological complaints, followed by full ENT examination (there is normal otoscopic finding) and clinical examination of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and adjacent area. Results: Among 350 patients, 72 patients had TMD (20.5%), 44 male (61.1%) and 28 female (38.9%). Regarding the most common TMD symptom TMJ pain (48.6%) was commonest, followed by joint clicking sounds (23.6%), pain on masticatory muscles (18.1%), and limitation of jaw movement with or without jaw deviation (9.7%), while the most common ear symptom was otalgia (52.7%),followed by ear fullness (23.6%), tinnitus (22.2%), and hearing impairment (1.3%). Conclusions: High frequency rate of TMD, the most common TMD symptom was TMJ pain and the most common ear symptom was otalgia.