Banca de DEFESA: JULIANA CIRILO SOARES DE SOUZA
Uma banca de DEFESA de MESTRADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.STUDENT : JULIANA CIRILO SOARES DE SOUZA
DATE: 05/03/2026
TIME: 09:00
LOCAL: Remoto
TITLE:
Tinnitus-related impact in different somatosensory tinnitus subtypes: a cross-
sectional study
KEY WORDS:
Tinnitus; Somatosensory Tinnitus; Quality of Life; Symptom
Burden.
PAGES: 53
BIG AREA: Ciências da Saúde
AREA: Fisioterapia e Terapia Ocupacional
SUMMARY:
Background: Somatosensory Tinnitus (SST) is a subtype of subjective tinnitus
in which alterations in somatosensory afferent input originating from the head
and neck regions may modify tinnitus perception. Although the literature clearly
describes the association between tinnitus and cervical and
temporomandibular disorders, studies comparing differences in tinnitus-related
outcomes according to distinct SST subtypes remain scarce. Objective: To
compare tinnitus-related distress intensity, the impact of tinnitus on quality of
life, impact severity, symptom perception burden, and the number of myofascial
trigger points among individuals with cervical, temporomandibular, or mixed-
origin SST. Methods: This cross-sectional study was approved by the
Research Ethics Committee (No. 4,471,809) and included individuals of both
sexes aged over 18 years with a complaint of tinnitus. Patients underwent a
multiprofessional evaluation conducted by an otolaryngologist, a speech-
language pathologist, and a physical therapist to determine tinnitus etiology.
After somatosensory influence was identified by the physical therapist,
participants were grouped according to SST origin (cervical,
temporomandibular, or mixed). Sociodemographic data, clinical data (otologic
symptoms, medication use, and comorbidities), and tinnitus characteristics
were collected. Tinnitus-related distress was measured using the Numerical
Rating Scale (NRS). The impact of tinnitus on quality of life and impact severity
were assessed using the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI). Symptom
perception burden was evaluated through self-reported aggravating factors
(stress, noise exposure, stimulant foods, and ototoxic agents) and tinnitus-
related impairments (daily activities, sleep, social life, and emotional status).
Group comparisons were performed using the Kruskal–Wallis test, followed by
Dunn’s post hoc test to identify significant pairwise differences. Associations
between categorical variables were analyzed using the generalized Fisher’s
Exact Test, and Cramér’s V was used to indicate effect size. Results: A total
of 67 individuals participated in the study, of whom 34 were classified as having
SST (nine cervical origin, nine temporomandibular origin, and 16 mixed origin)
and 33 as non-SST. Among the included participants, 88.2% were female, with
a median age of 61.0 (50.7–66.0) years, and 76.5% presented hearing
impairment according to audiometric results. No significant differences were
observed among SST subtypes regarding tinnitus distress perception or the
number of myofascial trigger points. However, individuals across SST subtypes
reported severe tinnitus distress, with median intensity scores ranging from 8.0
to 9.0 points. No significant differences were identified in quality-of-life impact
based on total and domain-specific THI mean scores, except for the functional
domain, in which individuals with temporomandibular influence presented
higher scores compared to those with mixed influence (p = 0.028). Similarly,
impact severity did not differ statistically among tinnitus subtypes (p > 0.05).
Most participants with temporomandibular-origin SST presented severe impact
(55.6%), whereas those with mixed-origin SST predominantly presented
catastrophic impact (37.5%). Noise exposure was the self-reported factor most
frequently associated with tinnitus worsening among individuals with
temporomandibular influence (p = 0.43). However, other factors such as stress,
consumption of stimulant foods, and use of ototoxic agents were not associated with tinnitus worsening (p > 0.05) among SST subtypes. Regarding tinnitus-
related impairments in daily activities, sleep, social life, and emotional status,
no significant differences were observed among SST subtypes (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: SST origin did not influence tinnitus distress perception, quality of
life, impact severity, symptom perception burden, or the number of myofascial
trigger points. However, tinnitus distress was classified as severe across SST
subtypes, and most participants with temporomandibular and mixed origin
presented severe and catastrophic tinnitus impact, respectively.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Interna - 4374835 - KARYNA MYRELLY OLIVEIRA BEZERRA DE FIGUEIREDO RIBEIRO
Externa ao Programa - 1639565 - LIDIANE MARIA DE BRITO MACEDO FERREIRA - nullExterno à Instituição - LUIS FELIPE TAVARES PREVELATO