Otologic Manifestations of Temporomandibular Disorders
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Methods
3. Results
4. Discussion
4.1. Aural Fullness
4.1.1. Overview and Etiology
4.1.2. Management of TMD-Related Aural Fullness
4.2. Otalgia
4.2.1. Overview and Etiology
4.2.2. Management of TMD-Related Otalgia
4.3. Tinnitus
4.3.1. Overview and Etiology
4.3.2. Classification of Tinnitus
4.3.3. TMD Related Tinnitus
4.3.4. Treatment Approaches and Efficacy
4.4. Vertigo
4.4.1. Overview and Etiology
4.4.2. TMD Related Vertigo
4.4.3. Treatment Approaches and Efficacy
4.5. Hearing Loss
4.5.1. Etiology and Classification
4.5.2. TMD Related Hearing Loss
5. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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| Author(s), Year | Title/Study Focus | Methodology | Sample/Context | Key Findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Porto de Toledo et al., 2017 [2] | Prevalence of otologic signs and symptoms in adult TMD patients | Systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis of 8 observational studies | Total aggregated adult sample size n = 1040 | Aural fullness: 74.8% (SD 43.0–96.3%); Otalgia: 55.1% (SD 31.8–77.3%); Tinnitus: 52.1% (SD 38.4–65.7%); Vertigo: 40.8% (SD 11.3–74.7%); Hearing loss: 38.9% (SD 2.8–85.5%). |
| Chole RA, Parker WS, 1992 [23] | Tinnitus and vertigo in patients with temporomandibular disorder | Cross-sectional, case–control survey | 338 patients with TMD vs. 694 age- and sex-matched controls (dental clinic and general population) | Tinnitus reported by 59% of TMD patients vs. 12% of dental controls and 6% of general population controls. Vertigo reported by 40% of TMD patients vs. 9% of dental controls and 5% of general controls (p < 0.001). |
| Aldè M et al., 2022 [24] | Prevalence of new onset otologic symptoms in patients with temporomandibular disorders | Retrospective observational study | 400 patients with TMD (301 females, 99 males); median age 39.6 ± 15.6 years | 76% of TMD patients reported ≥ 1 otologic symptom. Aural fullness was most common (33.3%), followed by tinnitus (23%) and vertigo (19.8%). |
| Marchiori LL et al., 2014 [25] | Probable correlation between temporomandibular dysfunction and otologic symptoms | Cross-sectional observational study | 776 patient charts reviewed (344 with TMD vs. 432 without TMD) | Otologic symptoms reported by 59.9% of TMD patients vs. 29.2% of non-TMD controls. Tinnitus, vertigo, otalgia, and hearing loss were significantly more prevalent in the TMD group. |
| Baldursson G, Blackmer ER, 1987 [27] | Temporomandibular joint symptoms in patients with midfrequency sensorineural hearing loss | Cross-sectional case–control study | 50 adults with 1–2 kHz audiometric “notch” vs. 50 matched controls | TMJ symptoms (pain, tenderness, joint noises, bruxism/clenching) were significantly more frequent in the hearing loss group. |
| De La Torre Canales G et al., 2024 [20] | Associations between temporomandibular disorders and tinnitus | Systematic review and meta-analysis | 32 observational studies from electronic databases | Among TMD patients, 57.5% had tinnitus; among tinnitus patients, 92.9% had TMD. Strong bidirectional association (OR for TMD → tinnitus = 1.56; OR for tinnitus → TMD = 2.86; p < 0.001). |
| Peng Y, 2017 [14] | Temporomandibular joint disorders as a cause of aural fullness | Retrospective clinical case series | 112 patients from Beijing ENT clinic with aural fullness as primary complaint | All patients had aural fullness without detectable otologic disease. Symptoms resolved completely in 67 patients and significantly improved in 34 (90.2% overall effectiveness), especially in muscle-related TMD. |
| de Felício CM et al., 2008 [16] | Otologic symptoms of temporomandibular disorder and effect of orofacial myofunctional therapy | Randomized controlled clinical trial | 20 patients with articular TMD and 8 asymptomatic controls | Baseline symptoms included ear fullness (90%), otalgia (65%), tinnitus (60%). Significant reductions in ear fullness, otalgia, and tinnitus after therapy, with improved muscle coordination. |
| Delgado de la Serna P et al., 2020 [22] | Effects of cervicomandibular manual therapy in patients with temporomandibular pain disorders and somatic tinnitus | Randomized clinical trial | 61 adults with somatic tinnitus attributed to TMD | Manual therapy group showed significantly greater reductions in tinnitus severity and THI scores, along with improvements in TMD pain, pressure pain thresholds, and mandibular range of motion. |
| Bernkopf E et al., 2022 [26] | Oral splint therapy in patients with Ménière’s disease and temporomandibular disorder | Retrospective case–control study | 63 patients with Ménière’s disease and TMD (37 treated with splints, 26 untreated) | Vertigo control achieved in 86.5% of treated patients vs. 19.2% of controls. Hearing loss and tinnitus severity improved; no significant change in aural fullness. |
| Hernández-Nuño de la Rosa MF et al., 2022 [13] | Is there an association between otologic symptoms and temporomandibular disorders? | Evidence-based review | Peer-reviewed studies covering otologic complaints in TMD (multiple designs) | No consensus on optimal management. Conservative TMD therapies may reduce aural fullness, otalgia, tinnitus, hearing loss, and vertigo; interdisciplinary care recommended. |
| Stechman-Neto J et al., 2016 [17] | Effect of conservative temporomandibular disorder therapy on otologic signs and symptoms | Systematic review | 8 clinical and observational studies evaluating conservative TMD therapies | Most studies reported partial or complete improvement of otologic symptoms after therapy; evidence insufficient to definitively support or refute treatment effectiveness. |
| Naderi Y et al., 2023 [18] | Temporomandibular treatments are significantly efficient in improving otologic symptoms | Prospective observational cohort with interventional therapy | 40 patients with TMD and unexplained otologic symptoms | >50% reported partial or complete symptom recovery (p < 0.05). Otalgia most common (95%), followed by tinnitus (42.5%), ear fullness (30%), and dizziness (27.5%). |
| Michiels S et al., 2019 [21] | Does conservative TMD therapy affect tinnitus complaints? | Systematic review of clinical and cohort studies | 11 studies of splint and exercise therapies | Most studies showed reductions in tinnitus severity and intensity; overall evidence quality low due to heterogeneity and methodological limitations. |
| Mahmoudian S et al., 2023 [30] | Conservative TMD treatment effect on tinnitus | Case series | 6 patients with chronic non-pulsatile tinnitus and concomitant TMD | Significant improvements in tinnitus severity, intensity, and awareness (VAS; p < 0.05). TMD disability scores also significantly decreased (p = 0.0001). |
| Effat KG, 2016 [28] | Otological symptoms and audiometric findings in temporomandibular disorder patients | Prospective case–control observational study | 104 TMD patients vs. 110 controls evaluated with pure-tone audiometry | High frequency of otologic symptoms reported. 25% of TMD patients had mild sensorineural hearing loss compared with controls (p = 0.001). |
| Toller MO, Juniper RP, 1993 [29] | Audiological evaluation of aural symptoms in temporomandibular joint dysfunction | Case–control audiological assessment | 57 TMD patients vs. 57 age-matched controls | No significant differences in audiometry, tympanometry, or Eustachian tube tests. Minor increase in middle-ear compliance in female TMD patients only. |
| Dalla-Bona D et al., 2015 [15] | Unilateral ear fullness and temporary hearing loss managed as TMD | Single-patient case report | A female with persistent ear fullness after failed ENT interventions | ~90% resolution of ear fullness and hearing loss after conservative TMD therapy including steroid injections. |
| Kim SH et al., 2015 [19] | Clinical differences in types of otalgia | Cross-sectional observational study | 294 patients presenting with otalgia at ENT clinics | 29.3% had referred otalgia; TMD was a prominent cause. Referred otalgia was more common in women and adults. |
| TMD Classification Group | No. of Patients | No. Improved/Resolved, n (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Muscle disorders | 68 | 64 (94.1) * |
| Disc displacements | 39 | 33 (84.6) |
| Arthralgia/osteoarthritis/osteoarthrosis | 5 | 4 (80.0) |
| Structure/Pathway | Proposed Mechanism | Key Studies/Findings |
|---|---|---|
| Auriculotemporal nerve | Supplies the anterior/superior walls of the external auditory meatus and tympanic membrane | Tension or irritation in this nerve is linked to ear pain. |
| Sphenomandibular ligament [38] | Excessive tension may damage the middle ear via the anterior malleolar ligament | Hypothesized contributor to otologic symptoms |
| Deep masseter and medial pterygoid muscles [31] | Referred pain from myofascial trigger points in these muscles may radiate to the ears | Simons et al. |
| Posterior belly of digastric [31] | Trigger points may contribute to referred ear pain | Simons et al. |
| Lateral pterygoid muscle [39,40] | May refer pain to the ear due to anatomic/functional proximity | Fricton et al., Wright. |
| Temporalis tendon [41] | Tendinitis may refer pain to the ear, particularly near insertion at the coronoid process | Dupont and Brown |
| Symptoms | Otalgia Type * | Supporting Studies |
|---|---|---|
| Ear fullness, hearing loss, otorrhea, tinnitus, dizziness | Otogenic | [19,42] |
| Rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction, postnasal drip, sore throat, fever, voice change, reflux symptoms | Referred | [19,42] |
| Theory | Description |
|---|---|
| Embryological Development | The medial pterygoid, tensor veli palatini, and tensor tympani muscles originate from the first pharyngeal arch, explaining their structural and functional link to both jaw and ear function. |
| Anatomical Proximity | The TMJ and middle ear are closely positioned. Dysfunction in the mandibular condyle can compress nerves and ligaments (e.g., auriculotemporal nerve, disco-malleolar ligament), leading to tensor tympani muscle contraction and tinnitus. |
| Neurological Overlap | The trigeminal (V), facial (VII), glossopharyngeal (IX), vagus (X) nerves, and cervical plexus (C2, C3) share pathways connecting jaw function with ear sensitivity. Dysfunction in these nerves may alter pain perception and muscle reflexes, contributing to tinnitus. |
| Motor Innervation | The trigeminal nerve (mandibular branch) controls both masticatory muscles and the tensor tympani muscle. Excessive tension in one group can lead to dysfunction in the other, potentially causing tinnitus. |
| Neuromodulation | Sensory stimuli from the head and neck interact with auditory processing centers. Cross-modal plasticity may cause abnormal sensory interactions, contributing to tinnitus development. |
| Stress | Chronic stress is linked to both TMD and tinnitus, increasing muscle excitability, pain perception, and neurotransmitter imbalances (serotonin, catecholamines). Stress management has been shown to reduce both TMD pain and tinnitus severity. |
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Ebrahimi, F.; Akbar, A.; Jin, V.; Kaul, V.F.; Pearl, C.B. Otologic Manifestations of Temporomandibular Disorders. Diagnostics 2026, 16, 1757. https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics16121757
Ebrahimi F, Akbar A, Jin V, Kaul VF, Pearl CB. Otologic Manifestations of Temporomandibular Disorders. Diagnostics. 2026; 16(12):1757. https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics16121757
Chicago/Turabian StyleEbrahimi, Fatemeh, Ali Akbar, Vivian Jin, Vivian F. Kaul, and Craig B. Pearl. 2026. "Otologic Manifestations of Temporomandibular Disorders" Diagnostics 16, no. 12: 1757. https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics16121757
APA StyleEbrahimi, F., Akbar, A., Jin, V., Kaul, V. F., & Pearl, C. B. (2026). Otologic Manifestations of Temporomandibular Disorders. Diagnostics, 16(12), 1757. https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics16121757

