PURPOSE: to describe and classify the presence of temporomandibular joint disorders in workers using individual hearing protection equipment. METHOD: this is a transversal descriptive study, with observational character, developed in a paint industry. The population was composed of 46 employees of both genders (94.44% of which were male) aged between 20 and 50 years (average 36.24-year old), exposed to hazardous noise (90 dBNA) that had been using personal protective equipment (ear muff). In collecting the data, the following procedures were made: speech pathology screening of the oral functions, otorhinolaryngological evaluation and diagnosis of temporomandibular joint dysfunction by using a clinical examination. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: the main complaint was pain around the ear and temporomandibular joint. It was observed that 87% showed a positive diagnosis of TMD while 83 % had myofacial pain, 11% myofacial pain with oral opening limitation and 6% showed myofacial pain diagnosis associated with disc displacement with reduction. CONCLUSIONS: the majority of the screened workers showed dysfunctions of muscular order. The possibility that the use of this equipment may influence the occurrence or intensification of the mentioned dysfunction must be emphasized.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorders; Facial Pain; Occupational Health; Hearing Protective Devices
