Masseter Muscle in Somatosensory Tinnitus and Potential Therapeutic Role for Botulinum Toxin Type A: A Scoping Review

: Increasing evidence supports the existence of a somatosensory subtype of tinnitus, in which craniocervical-craniomandibular structures can modulate tinnitus perception also through central auditory pathways. Despite growing mechanistic evidence, no targeted pharmacological intervention has been validated for this subtype....

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✦ The floor

Discussion

Signed responses from readers of the wire.

✦ Clinical Takeaway ✦

Evidence for Botulinum Toxin Type A in somatosensory tinnitus is preliminary and based on a scoping review; audiologists should not alter clinical practice but may consider interdisciplinary referral to oromandibular specialists for patients with jaw-modulated tinnitus.

✦ Why It Matters ✦

Somatosensory tinnitus linked to craniomandibular dysfunction is frequently underdiagnosed; identifying a potential targeted treatment pathway could shift management toward interdisciplinary orofacial and audiology care.

✦ Key Points ✦

01Somatosensory tinnitus can be modulated by jaw (masseter) and neck muscle activity.
02Scoping review maps evidence on Botulinum Toxin Type A (BoNT-A) as a therapeutic target for masseter-related tinnitus.
03Craniocervical-craniomandibular structures appear to play a role in a subset of tinnitus patients.
04Evidence base is early-stage; no randomised controlled trials of BoNT-A for this indication were identified.
05Published in Toxins, reflecting the pharmacological focus of the review.

✦ Claims & Evidence ✦

ClaimEvidenceSupport

The masseter muscle and craniocervical-craniomandibular structures contribute to somatosensory tinnitus.

studypartially supported

Botulinum Toxin Type A has potential therapeutic benefit in somatosensory tinnitus mediated by the masseter muscle.

studyunclear

✦ Research metadata ✦

PMID: 42506730
DOI: 10.3390/toxins18070310.
Journal: Toxins
Publication type: review
Evidence level: 2a
Population: Adults with somatosensory tinnitus associated with craniomandibular or craniocervical dysfunction
Intervention: Botulinum Toxin Type A injection into masseter and related craniomandibular structures

Primary outcomes

Tinnitus severity/modulation; Role of masseter and craniocervical structures in somatosensory tinnitus

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