Comparative audiometric evaluation of temporomandibular disorder patients with otological symptoms.
OBJECTIVE
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.
Pekkan
Gurel
G
Department of Dentistry, Dumlupinar University, Kutahya, Turkey.
Aksoy
Songul
S
Hekimoglu
Canan
C
Oghan
Fatih
F
D000158:Acoustic Impedance Tests; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001299:Audiometry / Q000379:methods*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003187:Compliance; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004433:Earache / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011312:Pressure; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D014717:Vertigo / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D055815:Young Adult