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Voluntary contraction of the tensor tympani muscle and its audiometric effects

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 December 2013

R D Angeli ,
M Lise ,
C C Tabajara  and
T B Maffacioli
R D Angeli*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, University Hospital, Universidade Luterana do Brasil, Canoas, Brazil
M Lise
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, University Hospital, Universidade Luterana do Brasil, Canoas, Brazil
C C Tabajara
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, University Hospital, Universidade Luterana do Brasil, Canoas, Brazil
T B Maffacioli
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, University Hospital, Universidade Luterana do Brasil, Canoas, Brazil
*
Address for correspondence: Mr R D Angeli, Medical School, Universidade Luterana do Brasil (ULBRA), Avenida Farroupilha, 8001, CEP 92.4259-00 – Canoas, RS, Brazil Fax: +00 55 51 34788113 E-mail: roberto.dihl@terra.com.br
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Abstract

Background:

The tensor tympani muscle is the largest muscle within the middle ear. Its voluntary contraction is a very unusual event. Only a few papers have documented its audiometric effects.

Objective:

To report an unusual case of voluntary tensor tympani muscle contraction and describe its audiometric effects.

Case report:

A 27-year-old man, who presented complaining of voluntarily evoked bilateral tinnitus, was found to be able to voluntarily contract the tensor tympani muscle in both ears simultaneously. Audiograms were performed under conditions of rest and maximal contraction of the tensor tympani muscle. The most remarkable effects were conductive hearing loss at lower frequencies and an increase in middle-ear impedance.

Conclusion:

The importance of the tensor tympani muscle in middle-ear physiology remains unclear. It has been related to the attenuation of sounds produced during the mastication process. Voluntary control over the tensor tympani muscle is an extremely rare event. However, an understanding of the potential audiometric effects of its contraction could aid the diagnosis of hearing disorders.

Keywords

Tensor TympaniAudiometryTinnitus
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 127 , Issue 12 , December 2013 , pp. 1235 - 1237
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2013 

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Footnotes

Presented orally at the 42nd Brazilian Congress of Otorhinolaryngology, 14–17 November 2012, Recife, Brazil.

References

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