Hearing Lossaccording to TCM

Symptom family: Hearing Disorders

What is Hearing Loss?

Hearing loss is a partial or total inability to hear. In medical terms, it ranges from slight difficulties in understanding conversations to complete deafness. Hearing loss can result from genetic causes, complications at birth, certain infectious diseases, chronic ear infections, the use of particular drugs, exposure to excessive noise, and aging. It affects people by limiting their ability to communicate, potentially leading to isolation and frustration.

How does TCM View Hearing Loss?

Traditional Chinese Medicine interprets hearing loss as a disruption of the natural balance within the body. It isn't seen merely as a sensory impairment but as a symptom indicating an underlying disharmony.

The kidneys are often implicated in hearing functions; thus, Deficiencies or Excesses impacting Kidney energy can manifest as hearing loss. TCM emphasizes identifying the specific pattern causing the disharmony to tailor a treatment that addresses the root cause and not just the symptom.

Root Causes of Hearing Loss in TCM

In TCM, hearing loss is often associated with a Deficiency in kidney energy, particularly the Yin aspect, which can lead to a failure to nourish the ears. Symptoms may include ringing in the ears (tinnitus), dizziness, and a sense of ear fullness, along with general signs of Yin Deficiency like night sweats and dry throat.

Another potential cause is the presence of Dampness within the body, which can create obstructions in the channels leading to the ears. This might be experienced alongside a sense of heaviness, pressure in the ears, and possibly accompanied by poor digestion or a feeling of fullness.

Explore below more details about what might cause Hearing loss according to TCM.

  • By Syndrome
  • By Organ
  • Yin Deficiency
  • Heat
  • Qi Deficiency
Detailed description of the cause

Yin Deficiency

Yin deficiency in TCM is a pattern of disharmony characterized by a depletion of the body's Yin energy, which represents the cooling, moistening, and nurturing aspects of our physiology. This condition often arises from factors like chronic stress, overwork, insufficient rest, or prolonged illness. Symptoms of Yin deficiency can include a sensation of heat, especially in the afternoon or evening, night sweats, insomnia, a dry mouth or throat, and a red tongue with little coating. There might also be a general feeling of restlessness or irritability. Since Yin is essential for balancing the body's active and warm Yang energy, its deficiency leads to a relative excess of Yang, manifesting as heat or dryness symptoms.... see more

Yin Deficiency Patterns That Can Lead to Hearing Loss

Common Symptoms: Dizziness Tinnitus Lower Back Pain Dry Throat Night Sweats Insomnia Dry Stools Nocturnal Emission

Pattern Name Relevant Symptoms Relevant Formulas
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency Diminished hearing, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache, Insomnia, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs, Dry eyes, Blurry vision, Dry throat, Dry hair, Skin dryness, Withered and brittle nails, Vaginal dryness, Night sweats, Dry stools, Nocturnal emission, Scanty menstruation, Amenorrhea, Late menstruation, Infertility... see more Zuo Gui Wan | Qi Ju Di Huang Wan | Liu Wei Di Huang Wan | Qing Gu San | Yi Guan Jian | Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang | Ming Mu Di Huang Wan
Kidney and Lung Yin Deficiency Diminished hearing, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Night dry coughing, Dry throat, Dry mouth, Emaciation, Exertional dyspnea, Lower back pain, Night sweats, Hearing loss, Oliguria... see more Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan
Kidney Yin Deficiency Diminished hearing, Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation, Scanty and dark urine, Infertility, Premature ejaculation, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Depression, Anxiety, Heat sensation in palms, Evening heat sensation, Flushed cheekbones, Menopausal hot flashes, Preference for sipping, Evening anxiety... see more Zuo Gui Wan | Liu Wei Di Huang Wan | Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan | Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang | Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan
Kidney Yin Deficiency With Empty-Heat Blazing Diminished hearing, Flushed cheekbones, Restlessness, Insomnia, Night sweats, Low grade fever in the afternoon, Heat sensation in palms, Afternoon heat sensation, Evening heat sensation, Scanty and dark urine, Hematuria, Dry throat, Preference for sipping, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Nocturnal emission, Hypersexuality, Dry stools... see more Liu Wei Di Huang Wan | Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan

TCM Herbal Formulas for Hearing Loss

For hearing loss due to yin deficiency, TCM practitioners might recommend formulas such as Zuo Gui Wan or Qi Ju Di Huang Wan. These formulas contain herbs like Prepared rehmannia, known for their nourishing properties, aiming to replenish yin and improve hearing.

For Dampness-related hearing issues, formulas like Er Miao San, which contain Atractylodes to dry Dampness and Alisma to promote water metabolism, might be used. The precise formula would be chosen based on the individual's pattern of disharmony, and a practitioner would consider the person's unique constitution and overall health condition.

Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address hearing loss, organized by cause and by formula type.

  • By Cause
  • By Formula Type
  • Yin Deficiency
  • Heat
  • Qi Deficiency

All Formulas Recommended for Hearing Loss Caused by Yin Deficiency

Formula Patterns Suitable For
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency, Kidney Yin Deficiency, Kidney Yin Deficiency With Empty-Heat Blazing... see more
Zuo Gui Wan Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency, Kidney Yin Deficiency
Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan Kidney Yin Deficiency, Kidney Yin Deficiency With Empty-Heat Blazing
Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang Kidney Yin Deficiency
Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan Kidney Yin Deficiency
Qi Ju Di Huang Wan Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Qing Gu San Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Yi Guan Jian Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Ming Mu Di Huang Wan Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan Kidney and Lung Yin Deficiency

TCM Herbs for Hearing Loss

Explore below some TCM herbs used to address hearing loss, organized by herb category.

  • By Herb Category
  • Tonic herbs for yang deficiency
  • Herbs that clear heat and dry dampness
  • Tonic herbs for blood deficiency

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