Exploring the relationship between tinnitus and somatosensory disorders

Abstract

Aim. This review aims to investigate the bidirectional relationship between subjective tinnitus and somatosensory disorders, focusing on temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and cervical spine dysfunctions (CSD). It seeks to identify underlying mechanisms, evaluate therapeutic interventions, and propose directions for future research. Materials and Methods. The systematic review adhered to PRISMA guidelines and searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for studies using the keywords "TINNITUS" and "TMJ." Publications between October 2014 and October 2024 were considered. Eligible studies included human participants, open-access articles in English, and adult populations. Exclusion criteria encompassed case reports, animal or in vitro studies, pediatric research, and unrelated reviews. The screening process involved duplicate removal, title and abstract evaluation, and full-text analysis, culminating in the selection of 26 articles for qualitative synthesis. Discrepancies during selection were resolved by reviewer consensus. Conclusions. This review highlights the interconnectedness of tinnitus with TMD and CSD, emphasizing the role of somatosensory-auditory pathways. While therapeutic approaches, such as manual therapy and mandibular exercises, demonstrate potential in mitigating tinnitus symptoms, significant variability in patient outcomes underscores the need for personalized treatment. Methodological issues, including small sample sizes, heterogeneity in diagnostic protocols, and cross-sectional designs, limit the generalizability of findings. Moving forward, large-scale, longitudinal studies with multidisciplinary collaboration are essential to refine diagnostic criteria, elucidate causal mechanisms, and enhance treatment efficacy for individuals with tinnitus and associated somatosensory disorders.