Tinnitus and otalgia in temporomandibular disorders.

A heterogeneous group of 105 TM patients were questioned about tinnitus and otalgia at an initial visit and again at a final visit 32 months later. Analysis of data showed no statistically positive correlation between the two symptoms although most patients had difficulty in separating onset of both symptoms. Tinnitus was more common within 1 to 5 years after onset than 10 to 15 years after onset. Tinnitus appeared to be an individual problem and was neither group- nor gender-related. Few patients identified an etiology for tinnitus. The use of oral appliances seemed to reduce or eliminate symptoms and the number of patients with fluctuating tinnitus decreased by one half between visits. No change occurred for patients with severe tinnitus.