The Relationship between Tinnitus and Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) Therapy

Many TMD patients with coexisting tinnitus find TMD therapy improves or resolves their tinnitus in conjunction with their TMD symptoms (Table I). Forty TMD patients rating their tinnitus as moderate or severe, were asked questions and participated in clinical tests. Upon completion of TMD therapy, 21, 12, 7 and 0 reported their tinnitus was resolved, significantly improved, unchanged and worse, respectively. The subjects' ages, question results and clinical test results were statistically evaluated for an association with their tinnitus change. The following were identified as significantly associated with tinnitus improvement when the patient reports: they are younger in age, their tinnitus is moderate rather than severe, their hearing is normal, their tinnitus began approximately when their TMD symptoms began, their tinnitus is worse when their TMD symptoms are worse, their tinnitus is related to stress, their tinnitus is unrelated to loud noise and their tinnitus is reproduced or intensified from one minute of maximum voluntary clenching on their posterior teeth. These findings may help forecast which tinnitus patients with concomitant TMD may obtain tinnitus improvement through TMD therapy.