Symptom family: Hearing Disorders

Sub-symptom(s): Neurogenic Tinnitus Sudden Tinnitus

What is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is an auditory condition characterized by the perception of sound without an external source, often described as a ringing, buzzing, or humming in the ears. It can be a persistent sensation or occur intermittently, and may vary in pitch and intensity. Tinnitus is not a disease itself but a symptom of an underlying condition, such as age-related hearing loss, ear injury, or a circulatory system disorder. The experience of tinnitus is highly subjective and can significantly impact a person's quality of life.

How does TCM View Tinnitus?

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, tinnitus is often seen as a disturbance in the body's harmonious balance, related to the flow of Qi and Blood. The ears are traditionally associated with the Kidney system, and thus, issues such as tinnitus may indicate a deeper imbalance or Deficiency within the Kidney system.

TCM seeks to identify the pattern of disharmony, be it Excess or Deficiency, that is causing the symptom and then aims to restore balance through a combination of approaches including herbal medicine, acupuncture, and dietary modification.

Root Causes of Tinnitus in TCM

In TCM, tinnitus is typically linked to a Deficiency in Kidney Qi, Yin or Yang, leading to a disruption in the nourishment of the ears. Symptoms accompanying tinnitus, like dizziness or hearing loss, suggest a Deficiency in the vital essences, where the ears fail to receive adequate nourishment.

Conversely, Excess conditions, such as Liver Yang Rising, can also lead to tinnitus, where the upward flaring of Yang energy causes a disharmonious sound. The goal of TCM treatment is to identify and correct these imbalances, thereby alleviating the tinnitus.

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

  • By Syndrome
  • By Organ
  • Yin Deficiency
  • Heat
  • Yang 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 Tinnitus

Common Symptoms: Dizziness Night Sweats Restlessness Insomnia Dry Throat Back Pain Flushed Cheekbones Dry Mouth

Pattern Name Relevant Symptoms Relevant Formulas
Kidney Yin Deficiency Tinnitus, 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 | Ba Wei Di Huang Wan | Zuo Gui Yin | Liu Wei Di Huang Wan | Qi Ju Di Huang Wan | Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan | Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan | Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang | Dang Gui Di Huang Yin | Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San
Heart Yin Deficiency Tinnitus, Night sweats, Feeling of uneasiness, Feeling of heat, Heat sensation in palms, Hysteria, Neurasthenia... see more Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency Tinnitus, Dizziness, 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 | Tiao Gan Tang | Gui Shao Di Huang Tang | He Che Da Zao Wan | Zuo Gui Yin | Si Wu Tang | Liu Wei Di Huang Wan | Qi Ju Di Huang Wan | Qing Gu San | Yi Guan Jian | Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang | Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan | Ming Mu Di Huang Wan
Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency Tinnitus, Afternoon heat sensation, Dry mouth, Preference for sipping, Dry mouth and throat at night, Night sweats, Cardiac burning sensation, Hot palms and soles, Dry stools, Scanty and dark urine, Flushed cheekbones... see more Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan | Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang | Huang Lian E Jiao Tang | Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang | Suan Zao Ren Tang
Kidney and Lung Yin Deficiency Tinnitus, Dizziness, 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 With Empty-Heat Blazing Tinnitus, 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, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Nocturnal emission, Hypersexuality, Dry stools... see more Liu Wei Di Huang Wan | Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan
Kidney-Deficiency Tinnitus, Scanty menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Back pain, Knee pain, Dizziness, Frequent urination, Late menstruation, Chills, Cold extremities, Pale face... see more You Gui Wan | Zuo Gui Wan | Er Zhi Wan | Liang Di Tang | He Che Da Zao Wan | Dang Gui Di Huang Yin | Shi Quan Da Bu Tang
Heart and Kidney Yin Deficiency Tinnitus, Palpitations, Insomnia, Poor memory, Night sweats, Anxiety, Dizziness, Vivid dreaming, Restlessness, Nocturnal emission... see more Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan | Ci Zhu Wan | Jiao Tai Wan
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency causing Heat in the Blood Tinnitus, Dizziness, Night sweats, Back pain, Dark urine, Bleeding between periods Zuo Gui Wan | Er Zhi Wan | Liang Di Tang | Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Deficiency of both the Kidney Yin and Yang Tinnitus, Menopausal symptoms, Hypertension, Irregular periods, Menopausal hot flashes, Excessive sweating, Irritability, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Depression, Palpitations... see more Er Zhi Wan | Er Xian Tang
Disharmony between Heart and Kidneys Tinnitus, Dizziness, Insomnia, Palpitations, Poor memory, Lower back pain, Knee pain, Night sweats, Constipation, Menopausal hot flashes, Blurry vision... see more Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan | Liu Wei Di Huang Wan

TCM Herbal Formulas for Tinnitus

Herbal formulas are selected based on the individual's specific TCM pattern. For Kidney Yin Deficiency, a practitioner may prescribe Zuo Gui Wan to nourish Yin and address accompanying symptoms like dizziness or dryness.

If tinnitus stems from an excess condition like Liver Yang Rising, calming and anchoring herbs found in Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin may be used. It's important to note that these formulas are tailored to the individual after a thorough TCM diagnosis, ensuring that treatment is aligned with their unique pattern of disharmony.

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

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

All Formulas Recommended for Tinnitus Caused by Yin Deficiency

Formula Patterns Suitable For
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan Kidney Yin Deficiency, Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency, Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency causing Heat in the Blood, Kidney Yin Deficiency With Empty-Heat Blazing, Disharmony between Heart and Kidneys... see more
Zuo Gui Wan Kidney-Deficiency, Kidney Yin Deficiency, Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency, Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency causing Heat in the Blood... see more
Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan Heart Yin Deficiency, Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency, Heart and Kidney Yin Deficiency, Disharmony between Heart and Kidneys... see more
Er Zhi Wan Kidney-Deficiency, Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency causing Heat in the Blood, Deficiency of both the Kidney Yin and Yang... see more
Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan Kidney Yin Deficiency, Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency, Kidney Yin Deficiency With Empty-Heat Blazing... see more
Qi Ju Di Huang Wan Kidney Yin Deficiency, Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Liang Di Tang Kidney-Deficiency, Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency causing Heat in the Blood
He Che Da Zao Wan Kidney-Deficiency, Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Dang Gui Di Huang Yin Kidney-Deficiency, Kidney Yin Deficiency
Zuo Gui Yin Kidney Yin Deficiency, Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
You Gui Wan Kidney-Deficiency
Ba Wei Di Huang Wan Kidney Yin Deficiency
Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan Kidney Yin Deficiency
Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang Kidney Yin Deficiency
Tiao Gan Tang Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Gui Shao Di Huang Tang Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Jiao Tai Wan Heart and Kidney Yin Deficiency
Er Xian Tang Deficiency of both the Kidney Yin and Yang
Shi Quan Da Bu Tang Kidney-Deficiency
Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San Kidney Yin Deficiency
Si Wu Tang Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Qing Gu San Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Yi Guan Jian Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Ming Mu Di Huang Wan Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
Huang Lian E Jiao Tang Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
Suan Zao Ren Tang Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
Ci Zhu Wan Heart and Kidney Yin Deficiency
Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan Kidney and Lung Yin Deficiency

Acupoints for Tinnitus

Acupuncture points are chosen to directly address the pattern causing tinnitus. Points such as Ermen TB-21 and Tinggong SI-19 are often selected for their proximity to the auditory organs and their ability to benefit the ears.

For kidney-related tinnitus, Shenshu BL-23 and Fuliu KID-7 may be used to nourish kidney yin or yang. The specific selection and combination of points will be based on the individual's diagnosis and the TCM practitioner's strategy to restore balance and silence the unwanted noise.

Explore below some acupoints used to address tinnitus, organized by meridian.

  • By Meridian
  • Triple Burner Channel
  • Kidney Channel
  • Gall Bladder Channel
Guanchong TB-1

Guanchong TB-1

On the lateral side of the ring finger, about 0.1 cun posterior to the corner of the nail.

Yemen TB-2

Yemen TB-2

Proximal to the margin of the web between the ring and small fingers.

Zhongzhu TB-3

Zhongzhu TB-3

When the hand is placed with the palm facing downward, Zhongzhu TB-3 is on the hand dorsum between the 4th and 5th metacarpal bones, in the depression proximal to the metacarpophalangeal joints, at the junction between the heads and shaft of the two metacarpal bones.

Yangchi TB-4

Yangchi TB-4

At the junction of the ulna carpal bones of the wrist dorsum, in the depression lateral to the tendon of extensor digitorum and extensor digiti minimi muscle.

Waiguan TB-5

Waiguan TB-5

2 cun above Yangchi TB-4 at the dorsal wrist joint space, between the radius and ulna.

Huizong ST-7

Huizong ST-7

3 cun proximal to the dorsal wrist joint space and 0.5 cun ulnar to the forearm center.

Sidu TB-9

Sidu TB-9

5 cun distal to the lateral epicondyle of the humerus, between the radius and ulna.

Yifeng TB-17

Yifeng TB-17

Posterior to the lobule of the ear, in the depression between the mandible and mastoid process.

Qimai TB-18

Qimai TB-18

In the center of the mastoid process, at the junction of the middle and lower third of the curve formed by Yifeng TB-17 and Jiaosun TB-20 posterior to the helix.

Luxi TB-19

Luxi TB-19

Posterior to the ear, at the junction of the upper and middle third of the curve formed by Yifeng ST-17 and Jiaosun ST-20 behind the helix.

Jiaosun TB-20

Jiaosun TB-20

Directly above the ear apex, within the hairline of the temple.

Ermen TB-21

Ermen TB-21

In the depression anterior to the supratragic notch and slightly superior to the condyloid process of the mandible. The point should be located and needled with mouth open. Tinggong SI-19 and Tinghui GB-2 are located below Ermen TB-21.

Erheliao TB-22

Erheliao TB-22

Anterior and superior to Ermen TB-21, level with the root of the auricle, on the posterior border of the hairline of the temple where the superficial temporal artery passes.

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