This study was carried out to gather more knowledge of the relation temporomandibular joint (TMJ) with ear problem and tinnitus.
To investigate the effects of the TMJ displacement, auditory function was observed with 30 subjects (male;15, female;15, 60 ears) who have normal hearing. The experiment was performed of three positions for the testing:mouth at resting position (R), maximally opening the mouth (O), clenching the teeth together as forcefully as possible (C). Depending on each position and related TMJ displacement, the perception of a certain sound or tinnitus was observed when the participants were in the sound proofed room. About 73.3% reported the perception of certain sounds within 10 minutes, the generative regions were different from
positions. The characteristics of tinnitus were expressed as high pitched (16.7%), wind-like (16.7%), pulsatile (16.7%), ringing (13.3%), low pitched (10.0%) sounds in R position. And about 83.3% showed changes in tinnitus by TMJ displacement (O, C).
PTA showed statistical significance at 250 and 4,000 Hz in each position and pure tone average (500, 1,000, 2,000, 4,000 Hz) showed borderline significance in statistical analysis. DP/NF, results of DPOAE, showed statistical significance only at 141 Hz which might not be related to the experiment. In evaluating of ABR, both V wave absolute amplitude and II-III inter-latency were recorded significance in statistical analysis. Therefore, TMJ movement should be considered when auditory function test and evaluation of tinnitus are performed. And more data should be gathered for additional TMJ related researches in the future.
KEY WORDS:Tinnitus·TMJ·Auditory function test·Neurological model of somatic tinnitus.