Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

    Language

    English

    Publication Date

    6-7-2026

    Journal

    Diagnostics

    DOI

    10.3390/diagnostics16121757

    PMID

    42351418vvv42351418

    PMCID

    PMC13298165

    PubMedCentral® Posted Date

    6-7-2026

    PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

    Post-print

    Abstract

    Background/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. This review aims to summarize the reported prevalence, proposed pathophysiologic mechanisms, and management strategies of otologic manifestations in patients with TMD.

    Methods: A literature review was conducted using the MeSH terms "temporomandibular joint disease" and "otologic symptoms." Five additional searches were performed using "temporomandibular disease/dysfunction" combined with each of the five most common otologic symptoms. Meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, reviews, and systematic reviews were prioritized, with preference for studies published within the last 10 years. Inclusion criteria focused on human studies addressing the etiology, clinical presentation, and management of otologic symptoms in TMD populations.

    Results: The literature supports an association between TMD and otologic symptoms in the absence of primary ear disease. The most commonly described symptoms were aural fullness, otalgia, tinnitus, vertigo, and hearing loss. Conservative approaches, including occlusal splints, physical therapy, behavioral modification, and pharmacologic therapy, demonstrated partial or complete symptom resolution after management of underlying TMD.

    Conclusions: The literature demonstrates a consistent association between otologic symptoms and TMD, although the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. While conservative TMD management may improve symptoms, exact mechanisms remain unproven. Clinicians should consider TMD in the differential diagnosis when patients present with unexplained otologic complaints. Further research is necessary to establish causality, confirm the efficacy of management protocols, and improve diagnostic accuracy in this overlapping domain.

    Keywords

    temporomandibular joint disorder, ear disease, otologic symptoms, hearing loss, aural vertigo, tinnitus, otalgia

    Published Open-Access

    yes

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