Comparative audiometric evaluation of temporomandibular disorder patients with otological symptoms

Summary 

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to assess the audiological status of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) patients with otological symptoms and to make comparisons with that of a control group of subjects without TMD and otological symptoms.

Methods

25 TMD patients with otological symptoms and 20 age and gender matched controls, 45 subjects in total, were included in the study. All subjects underwent a series of audiological tests that included pure-tone audiometry, impedance test and reflex tympanometry. The audiological parameters recorded in the two groups were compared statistically by means of unpaired t tests and corrected according to Bonferroni in the case of repeated tests.

Results

The pure-tone thresholds at frequencies 125, 250, 500Hz, and 6kHz showed significant differences between the TMD patients and control subjects after the Bonferroni correction (p<0.007). Compliance peaks demonstrated significant differences when the TMD and control groups were compared (p<0.05).

Conclusions

The findings indicate that TMD patients with otological complaints have hearing impairment at low frequencies and also perhaps, at high frequencies.

Keywords: aural symptoms, otalgia, subjective hearing loss, temporomandibular disorders, tinnitus