Functional assessment of the auditory analyzer in dental patients with reduced occlusal vertical dimension (Part 3)

Relevance. The prevalence of dental conditions that may lead to a reduced occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) is relatively high, reaching 85% or more in patients aged 35 to 60 years. The incidence of malocclusion resulting from various pathological processes ranges from 75% to 95%. During clinical examination of dental patients with occlusal disturbances that alter the jaw relationship, otological complaints – hearing loss, tinnitus, and ear congestion— are frequently reported. These symptoms may be associated with ENT disorders involving true auditory pathologies or may reflect functional disturbances of the auditory analyzer secondary to dental conditions. Differentiating between these etiologies is essential for effective treatment and comprehensive rehabilitation of this patient population.

Objective. To evaluate the functional state of the auditory analyzer in dental patients with reduced OVD using tympanometry.

Materials and methods. The study included 50 patients aged 34 to 73 years (mean age: 50.6 ± 2.7 years), comprising 28 women (56.0%) and 22 men (44.0%). The study group consisted of patients with reduced OVD resulting from primary dental conditions and presenting with otological complaints. The examination involved determining the central jaw relationship using a functional-physiological method with the Apparatus for Determining Central Occlusion (AOTSO). Tympanometry was used to assess middle ear function.

Results. All patients in the study group with clinical signs of reduced OVD and otological complaints were found to have objectively confirmed reduction in interalveolar distance. Analysis of tympanometric parameters – including residual volume of the external auditory canal, tympanic membrane compliance, middle ear pressure, and gradient – in habitual and optimal occlusion revealed a statistically significant reduction in the asymmetry indices for compliance, pressure, and gradient following the establishment of optimal occlusion.

Conclusion. Tympanometric assessment is a valuable component of the comprehensive diagnostic approach for dental patients with altered occlusal relationships who report symptoms such as tinnitus, ear congestion, and hearing loss. The findings demonstrate a significant decrease in asymmetry coefficients of major tympanometric parameters after occlusal correction, indicating improved functional performance of the auditory analyzer.

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