Improve Hearing Loss and Tinnitus with Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine
A Case Report by Dr. Ivaylo Gueorguiev, DOM, DACM, AP
Keywords: Tinnitus, hearing loss, kidney essence deficiency, Meniere’s disease, acupuncture, herbal medicine and food therapy.
Improve Hearing Loss with Acupuncture
Hearing Loss and Tinnitus: A Case Report
Introduction
Meniere’s disease is characterized by recurrent dizziness and vertigo, tinnitus and sensory hearing loss. From the Western stand point, the etiology is still unknown and often occurs in middle-aged (The Treatment of Modern Western). The etiology of tinnitus and deafness in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are generally differentiated according to repletion and vacuity. Often pattern from repletion are results of the following: emotional stress stirring liver and gallbladder fire which then rises to disturb the ears, envision of the ear by external wind-heat or excessive consumption of alcohol and rich foods leading to stagnation of phlegm fire. Vacuity patterns are a result of either depletion of kidney essence from poor physical constitution, extended illness, overindulgent sexual activity or an inability of spleen and stomach qi to rise and nourish the ears is rooted poor diet and excessive work (Wu & Fisher).
Patient Information
Fifty year old, white female, has suffered for the past four years tinnitus and feels like she is losing her hearing. Her MD doctor diagnosed her with Meniere’s disease. When the patient first saw her medical doctor the initial diagnose was allergies from dairy. She received Prednisone from which medicine she felt a little better for two weeks and later developed eczema. Her condition is worsening, and often she experiencing vertigo with developing a sensation blockage in the right ear.
The TCM diagnose is Kidney Essence Deficiency.
Clinical Findings
Patient hearing loss has become worse. In addition, her tinnitus has increase to point where patient feels her ear is blocked. Patient is also concern with her eczema due to recent medication of Prednisone she was on from her medical doctor. Her blood pressure was 145/90. She had cold hands and feet and likes to drink room temperature water.
Her medical doctor initially thought it was allergies but later diagnosed her with Meniere’s disease. After coming to my office a diagnose was made of Kidney Essence Deficiency with pulse thin, deficient and tongue pale with some coating. Her blood pressure was 145/90. No high temperature was found and her energy level was high as well. Sometimes she experiences left knee pain. Her shoulders feel tight often. Post hysterectomy. On occasions she experience dizziness when standing.
Timeline
Two months
Diagnostic Assessment
In TCM tinnitus and hearing loss are related to the kidneys becoming weak. Those symptoms are often seen in middle-aged patients. The patient received a diagnostic of Kidney Essence Deficiency. Her kidneys become weak from poor nutrition from her mother during her pregnancy; in addition, most patient immunity is depleted in their mid-age so the kidneys are affected. Another cause for this condition is for patients who are very emotional and constant frustration, or eating spicy, hot or fatty foods (The Treatment of Modern Western). The patient received two months of acupuncture treatments three times per week. After her six treatments, her tinnitus began to diminish and her hearing was improving. At the same week the patient received herbal formula and was advised on certain foods to eat and what foods to avoid.
Therapeutic Intervention
The treatment principle for this patient is to nourish the essence. The patient received herbal formula of Er Long Zuo Ci Wan (Deafness of the left kidney) and was advised on certain foods to eat and what foods to avoid.
The following acupuncture prescription was taken from the book Differentiation and Treatment of the Zang Fu Syndromes: Du4 reinforces Yuan qi and benefit kidney; Du20 tonifies Yang; Gb39 benefits essence and nourish marrow; Ht7 Yuan source point of heart; Kd3 Yuan source point of kidney; Kd6 nourish Yin; Ren4 nourishes and stabilizes kidneys and reinforces Yuan qi; Ub11 intersecting point for bones –moxa used; Ub15 back shu point of heart; Ub23 back shu point of kidney; St 36- tonify whole body and immune system (Differentiation of Treatment of the Zang Du Syndrome). The use of all those points will help the body harmonize and balance all kidney deficiencies. Similar protocol was used for Sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) for patients who do not respond to routine medical treatment. (Huang, N.)
Follow Up and Outcomes
The patient received two months of acupuncture treatments three times per week. After her six treatments, her tinnitus began to diminish and her hearing was improving. After three months, her tinnitus completely disappear and her hearing improved by 80%. She no longer experience cold hands and cold feet. Patient reported over all her balance has improved and her left knee pain was only felt when weather or seasons changes.
Conclusion
Meniere’s disease is characterized by recurrent dizziness and vertigo, tinnitus and sensory hearing loss. From the Western stand point, the etiology is still unknown and often occurs in middle-aged (The Treatment of Modern Western). The etiology of tinnitus and deafness in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are generally differentiated according to repletion and vacuity. Often pattern from repletion are results of the following: emotional stress stirring liver and gallbladder fire which then rises to disturb the ears, envision of the ear by external wind-heat or excessive consumption of alcohol and rich foods leading to stagnation of phlegm fire. Vacuity patterns are a result of either depletion of kidney essence from poor physical constitution, extended illness, overindulgent sexual activity or an inability of spleen and stomach qi to rise and nourish the ears is rooted poor diet and excessive work (Wu & Fisher).
For my case the patient had Kidney Essence Deficiency due to mostly like from poor nutrition from her mother during her pregnancy over constantly under emotional stress and frustration. To rule out any anatomical changes or mass/tumor in her ear, a computed tomography of the head without any contrast was ordered. The report indicated unremarkable temporal bone. An axial view through the superior portion of the temporal bone, which demonstrates the anterior and posterior crura of the superior semicircular canal. The surrounding otic capsule is observed as dense white bone without any structural changes.
The patient received two months of acupuncture treatments three times per week. After her six treatments, her tinnitus began to diminish and her hearing was improving. After three months, her tinnitus completely disappear and her hearing improved by 80%. She no longer experience cold hands and cold feet. Patient reported over all her balance has improved and her left knee pain was only felt when weather or seasons changes. Kidney Essence Deficiency is a very common condition in TCM and often the outcome is positive. In most cases acupuncture has to be combined with herbal formula for quick results.
Huang, N. & Li, C., 2014 Acupuncture in treating sudden sensorineural hearing loss: a report of 2 cases. PubMed PMID: 25231566. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25231566?dopt=Abstract
Differentiation and Treatment of the Zang Fu Syndromes. (1999) Living Earth Enterprises. 227.
The Treatment of Modern Western Medical Diseases with Chinese Medicine. A Textbook & Clinical Manual. (2001). Blue Poppy Press. 359, 362.
Wu, Y & Fisher, W. (1997). Practical Therapeutics of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Paradigma Publications. 571.
