/Objectives : Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) affects a third of the adult population and has been associated with otologic symptoms. These symptoms are frequently misattributed to primary otologic diseases, leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment....
✦ The floor
Discussion
Signed responses from readers of the wire.
Audiologists should consider temporomandibular disorder (TMD) as a differential when patients present with unexplained otalgia (ear pain), tinnitus, or aural fullness, particularly when otologic examination is unremarkable — referral to a TMD specialist may be warranted.
Given that TMD affects roughly one-third of adults and its ear symptoms are frequently misattributed, improving audiologist awareness could reduce unnecessary otologic workups and shorten time to correct diagnosis.
- 01TMD (jaw joint disorder) affects approximately one-third of adults and commonly causes ear symptoms.
- 02Ear symptoms from TMD include pain, tinnitus (ringing), aural fullness, and hearing changes.
- 03These symptoms are frequently misattributed to primary ear conditions, delaying correct diagnosis.
- 04The review outlines the anatomical and neurological links between the jaw joint and the ear.
- 05Published in Diagnostics (doi: 10.3390/diagnostics16121757).
Temporomandibular disorder affects approximately one-third of adults.
studysupportedEar symptoms in TMD patients are frequently misattributed to primary otologic conditions.
studysupported- PMID
- 42351418
- DOI
- 10.3390/diagnostics16121757.
- Journal
- Diagnostics
- Publication type
- review
- Evidence level
- 5
- Population
- Adults with temporomandibular disorder presenting with otologic symptoms
- Intervention
- Review of otologic manifestations associated with TMD
Primary outcomes
Characterization of otologic symptoms attributable to TMD; Identification of diagnostic challenges and misattribution patterns