The coexistence of tinnitus and temporomandibular disorder: a narrative review on the importance of an interdisciplinary approach

Abstract

This review focuses on the coexistence of tinnitus and temporomandibular disorders in terms of epidemiological data, etiology, differential diagnosis, treatment, and interaction between the two disorders. PubMed, Google Scholar, and ClinicalKey digital databases were used to search for publications covering the years 2009–2024. Finally, 77 publications were used. The review followed recommendations of the Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles. The prevalence of tinnitus in individuals with TMD amounted to 2–59% and was reported as the main concomitant symptom. Several studies reported that tinnitus was eight times more common in TMD sufferers. Among patients with tinnitus, TMJ disorders were observed at a frequency of 19%, while in the group presenting with a high severity of the condition, TMJ disorders were observed more frequently (36%). Based on this review, in order to facilitate the diagnosis and future treatment of tinnitus and TMD patients, a proposal for a multidisciplinary diagnostic algorithm is presented in the article. The cooperation of an otolaryngologist, audiologist, neurologist, psychiatrist, dentist, and physiotherapist may be considered in clinical settings.