title: Tinnitus in patients with temporo-mandibular joint disorder: Proposal for a new treatment protocol.
abstract: The present study was designed to verify the correlation between tinnitus and temporomandibular joint dysfunction.86 consecutive patients were enrolled in the study, all affected by subjective tinnitus without hearing impairment, from both genders, age between 18 and 60 years old. The final number of patients included in the study was 55. All patients received a temporo-mandibular joint examination. All the patients were asked to rate the severity of their symptoms before and after treatment using a VAS scale and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and they followed a standardized protocol for the investigation of tinnitus. All the subjects were monitored by the same researcher and they underwent the same splint treatment. The comparison between pre- and posttreatment phase scores showed in patients with predisposition of TMD and with TMD a statistically significant decrease of THI and VAS values. The characteristics of tinnitus and the degree of response to treatment confirmed the relationship between tinnitus and TMD. The authors believe that, when the most common causes of tinnitus, such as otologic disorders and neurological diseases are excluded, it is correct to evaluate the functionality of the temporo-mandibular joint and eventually treat its pathology to obtain tinnitus improvement or even resolution.
authors: Dipartimento Organi di Senso, "Sapienza" Università di Roma, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Roma, Italy.
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Attanasio
authors: Dipartimento di Scienze Odontostomatologiche e Maxillo-Facciali, "Sapienza" Università di Roma, Via Caserta 6, 00161 Roma, Italy. Electronic address: leonardialessandra@hotmail.com.
authors: Alessandra
authors: A
authors: Leonardi
authors: Dipartimento di Scienze Odontostomatologiche e Maxillo-Facciali, "Sapienza" Università di Roma, Via Caserta 6, 00161 Roma, Italy.
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Arangio
authors: Dipartimento Organi di Senso, "Sapienza" Università di Roma, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Roma, Italy.
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Minni
authors: Dipartimento Organi di Senso, "Sapienza" Università di Roma, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Roma, Italy.
authors: Edoardo
authors: E
authors: Covelli
authors: Dipartimento di Scienze Odontostomatologiche e Maxillo-Facciali, "Sapienza" Università di Roma, Via Caserta 6, 00161 Roma, Italy.
authors: Resi
authors: R
authors: Pucci
authors: Dipartimento Organi di Senso, "Sapienza" Università di Roma, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Roma, Italy.
authors: Francesca Yoshie
authors: FY
authors: Russo
authors: Dipartimento Organi di Senso, "Sapienza" Università di Roma, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Roma, Italy.
authors: Elio
authors: E
authors: De Seta
authors: Dipartimento di Scienze Odontostomatologiche e Maxillo-Facciali, "Sapienza" Università di Roma, Via Caserta 6, 00161 Roma, Italy.
authors: Carlo
authors: C
authors: Di Paolo
authors: Dipartimento di Scienze Odontostomatologiche e Maxillo-Facciali, "Sapienza" Università di Roma, Via Caserta 6, 00161 Roma, Italy.
authors: Piero
authors: P
authors: Cascone
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001299:Audiometry / Q000379:methods; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D065187:Controlled Before-After Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking; D008875:Middle Aged; D017090:Occlusal Splints; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic / Q000379:methods; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D064232:Visual Analog Scale; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Neuromuscular splint; TMD treatment; Temporo-mandibular joint disorder (TMD); Tinnitus; Tinnitus Treatment; Trigeminal nerve