Acupuncture for Tinnitus and Hearing Issues: Traditional Medicine Approaches to Ear Health

Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Medicine: How Acupuncture Is Revolutionizing Treatment for Tinnitus and Hearing Loss

For millions of Americans struggling with the persistent ringing, buzzing, or whistling sounds of tinnitus, or facing the challenges of hearing loss, traditional medicine approaches are offering new hope. There is challenge to find an effective treatment for tinnitus, and tinnitus can be a major disruption to your daily life, making it hard to concentrate or sleep. While there’s no cure for tinnitus, a range of treatments can help, including acupuncture.

Understanding Tinnitus and Hearing Issues Through Traditional Medicine

Tinnitus is a medical symptom that can indicate damage to your ear or auditory system. It’s often described as ringing in the ears, but you could hear other sounds, such as buzzing, clicking, roaring, or humming. Approximately 15% of American adults report some trouble of hearing and roughly 10% of the U.S. population, or about 25 million people, struggle with burdensome chronic tinnitus, whereas 2 million suffer from extreme and debilitating cases.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), ear health is viewed through the lens of energy flow and organ balance. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), your health depends on the flow of qi (energy) in your body. This energy travels along invisible pathways, known as meridians. One potential cause of tinnitus is imbalance in the kidneys or gallbladder, since qi pathways run between these parts of your body and your ears. As a result, some acupuncturists might use abdominal points that address kidney imbalances.

The Science Behind Acupuncture for Ear Health

Modern research is validating what traditional practitioners have known for centuries. Recent studies have shown that acupuncture could regulate inflammatory response, and enhance the excitability and conductivity of the auditory nerve. Han concluded that acupuncture or electrical stimulation in specific frequencies applied to certain body sites can facilitate the release of specific neuropeptides in the central nervous system (CNS), which subsequently elicit physiologic effects and activate self-healing mechanisms.

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medical treatment which has been used for thousands of years to treat a variety of diseases as well as to relieve pain. In 1979, the World Health Organization (WHO) approved the use of acupuncture for the treatment of 41 diseases including ear, nose and throat (ENT) and various types of pain.

Research Evidence: Promising Results for Tinnitus Relief

Multiple clinical studies demonstrate acupuncture’s effectiveness for tinnitus and hearing issues. Results are mixed, but many recent studies suggest acupuncture may decrease the intensity of tinnitus, boosting quality of life. A 2018 study looking at 88 adults with tinnitus suggest that acupuncture could help make tinnitus sounds quieter and less severe.

A particularly encouraging study found that after the 5th and 10th sessions of treatment, the mean of tinnitus severity index reduced significantly only in the case group. In addition, the quality of life in the case group also improved after the treatment. Moreover, the mean of tinnitus loudness also reduced significantly only in the case group after 5 and10 sessions of treatment.

For hearing loss specifically, research indicates significant benefits. The efficacy of acupuncture was significantly better than that of the conventional western medication or traditional Chinese medicines, and the efficacy of acupuncture in combination with conventional western medication or traditional Chinese medicine was better than that of the conventional western medication alone. Acupuncture therapy can significantly improve the hearing of patients with nerve deafness, and the efficacy of acupuncture in combination with medication is superior to medication alone.

Electroacupuncture: Enhanced Treatment for Better Results

Modern practitioners are increasingly using electroacupuncture, which combines traditional needle placement with gentle electrical stimulation. Kim et al. in a recent trial study showed that electroacupuncture is more effective than manual acupuncture and TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) for people with chronic tinnitus.

EA is a safe and effective intervention that is easier to standardize and more controllable than manual acupuncture, providing prolonged stimulation, precise intensity control, and enhanced acupuncture sensation. Research shows impressive results: the addition of electroacupuncture to the treatment protocol increased clinical effectiveness for the treatment of tinnitus by 25.1%. Conventional manual acupuncture achieved a 64.5% total effective rate; however, electroacupuncture achieved an 89.6% total effective rate.

Specialized Treatment Approaches

Advanced acupuncture systems like Neuropuncture are showing remarkable promise. The goal of this article is to introduce an acupuncture system, based on neurophysiology and termed Neuropuncture, as a possible effective treatment method for tinnitus accompanied with and/or secondary to hearing loss. The treatment protocol works by targeting the greater auricular nerve, trigeminal nerve, cervical plexus, and auditory cortex to neuromodulate, neurorehabilitate, and neuroregulate the nervous system and repair the nerve damage.

Case studies demonstrate impressive outcomes. After the first Neuropuncture tinnitus prescription treatment, patient reported feeling immediate relief, with the right ear fullness reduced, and the intensity of the high pitch dropped 2 U in the SUD scale from 6/10 to 4/10.

Key Acupuncture Points for Ear Health

In general, acupuncture for tinnitus usually focuses on points in your ear. Commonly used points include:

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Traditional Chinese and Japanese acupuncture recognizes that many times aches, pains and other discomforts are only symptoms of a deeper underlying health problem. Therefore, a comprehensive diagnosis is complied, which takes into account the individual’s body, mind, and spirit. The theory behind this healing approach is known as “Root-Branch Philosophy”. The “branch” is the symptom that the patient is experiencing and the “root” is the cause of the manifestation of that symptom.

What to Expect from Treatment

The number of acupuncture sessions for tinnitus may differ based on the severity of the condition and how well the individual responds to treatment. Usually, acupuncture practitioners suggest beginning weekly sessions and decreasing the frequency as symptoms decrease.

Treatment benefits extend beyond symptom relief. Acupuncture has become increasingly popular as a holistic and organic treatment solution for tinnitus due to its many advantages: Decreases Stress: Since stress and anxiety are frequent causes of tinnitus, acupuncture allows the individual to relax and release emotional tension, enabling them to live with the condition more quickly. Enhances Circulation: Acupuncture increases the flow of blood toward the ears and the surrounding tissues, which can minimize swelling and improve healing.

Safety and Considerations

There’s no evidence that acupuncture will make tinnitus worse, so it may be worth trying if you’re interested. However, make sure you’ve already seen your healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause of your tinnitus.

Traditional pain medications often come with risks such as addiction and potential damage to the liver, stomach, and kidneys. Our pain management solutions, featuring acupuncture, provide a safe and effective alternative to alleviate your pain.

The Future of Integrative Ear Health Care

As research continues to validate traditional approaches, acupuncture is becoming increasingly integrated into comprehensive hearing healthcare. The authors are encouraged that these results offer promising potential for short- and long-terms benefits and suggest serious consideration by the medical community to conduct large-scale trial studies for further exploration.

For those suffering from tinnitus or hearing loss, acupuncture offers a time-tested, scientifically-supported approach that addresses both symptoms and underlying causes. With qualified practitioners and modern techniques like electroacupuncture, patients can find relief while avoiding the side effects often associated with conventional treatments.