Frequency of Oral Behaviors as a Risk Factor for Somatosensory Tinnitus

Introduction  Somatosensory tinnitus is a type of tinnitus that can be modified by somatosensory stimuli from the cervical spine and temporomandibular area. Temporomandibular disorders and oral behaviors are associated with a higher prevalence of somatosensory tinnitus, and this association is described in the literature as part of the diagnosis of this condition. Objective  To verify the association between somatosensory tinnitus and oral behaviors. Methods  Patients were recruited from an Orofacial Pain outpatient clinic and from Head and Neck Unit. All participants underwent anamnesis, physical examination and completed the Oral Behaviors Checklist questionnaire. Forty-six patients were divided into 2 groups, each consisting of 23 patients: somatosensory tinnitus group (STG) and a comparison group (CG), with subjective tinnitus. Data were gathered and analyzed using the Jamovi software (open source) and a significance level of 5% was adopted. Somatosensory tinnitus was associated with dizziness and neck and temporomandibular joint pain. Results  There was an association between a higher Oral Behaviors Checklist score and the presence of somatosensory tinnitus. For each point marked on Oral Behaviors Checklist, there was an 8.2% greater chance of having somatosensory tinnitus. Tinnitus modulation through somatic maneuvers and palpation of masticatory and cervical muscles was significantly associated with somatosensory tinnitus. Conclusion  Dizziness and neck and temporomandibular joint pain are associated with the presence of somatosensory tinnitus. Probable sleep and awake bruxism are not exclusive behaviors of somatosensory tinnitus patients. However, their frequency may impact its presence.