The otologic symptoms are frequents in temporomandibular disorder patients, and studies are needed to elucidate the involved mechanisms. AIM: The objective of the present study was to investigate the association of otology symptoms (otalgia, tinnitus, ear fullness) with otologic findings, the other temporomandibular disorder signs and symptoms, and parafunctional habits. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical prospective. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 27 temporomandibular patients from Occlusion Clinic of the Dental School of Ribeirão Preto – University of Sao Paulo, answered a questionnaire which included questions about signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorder and parafunctional habits; they were submitted to otorhinolaryngological and audiologic examination. The data obtained were analyzed through Binomial Test, Exact Test of Fisher and Pearson Correlation, with p value < 0.05. RESULTS: Otologic symptoms were presented in 88.88% of the patients (59.26% presented otalgia, 74.07 tinnitus and 74.07% ear fullness). There was no significance between the otologic symptoms and audiologic findings. There was significant association between otologic symptoms and jaw movements or functions (speaking, opening, closing the mouth). There was significant correlation between grade of otologic symptoms and grade of other temporomandibular disorder signs/symptoms, and between the symptom ear fullness and number of the parafunctional habits. CONCLUSION: The results provide additional support for the notion that a relationship between temporomandibular disorder and otologic symptoms does exist. In temporomandibular disorder patients, the stomatognathic system alterations, such as orofacial pain and functional difficulties, were statically associated with otologic symptoms.
temporomandibular joint; otologic symptoms; stomatognathic system
