Understanding Tinnitus
Tinnitus (Ringing in Ears) is the perception of sound without an external source, often described as ringing, buzzing, or whistling in the ears. According to the American Academy of Audiology, tinnitus occurs when there is a conscious awareness of noise that has no identifiable external acoustic origin. In the United States, approximately 10–15% of adults experience tinnitus, with a growing number of younger patients as environmental noise and changes in work patterns increase. Tinnitus is frequently accompanied by hearing loss and can lead to more severe issues such as sleep disorders, depression, anxiety, irritability, and emotional instability, significantly impacting a person’s quality of life.
While the pathophysiology of tinnitus remains controversial, studies suggest that it is linked to sensory deprivation and abnormal neural activity. Hearing loss is a significant risk factor, and tinnitus is believed to arise from changes in the neuronal network that involve both auditory and non-auditory systems. Abnormal neural signals from the auditory pathway can reach the auditory cortex, while activation of non-auditory brain regions, like the limbic system, may intensify the perception of tinnitus and lead to negative emotions. This creates a “vicious circle” where the perception of tinnitus and emotional distress reinforce each other.
Despite advancements in brain imaging and animal model studies, the understanding of tinnitus remains incomplete. Treatments in Western medicine include drug therapy, hearing aids, cognitive behavioral therapy, and sound therapy, among others. However, there is no specific treatment for primary tinnitus, and current therapies often fail to provide ideal results, making tinnitus a challenging condition to manage effectively.
Acupuncture for tinnitus
This holistic therapy, in general, is practiced to relieve stress, reduce back pain, and increase energy levels. But how much does it affect the patient with hearing loss? While there is a need for more studies to determine the effectiveness of acupuncture, trials are being conducted that show promising results.
Acupuncture for hearing loss or tinnitus involves placing the needles into the skin in and around the ear to stimulate these areas. Some studies claim acupuncture can cure tinnitus, or at least restore some of the hearing. However, we have yet to see conclusive results.
Although it is important to note that the needling process does involve stimulating the nerves that have a certain effect on your overall nervous system. Experts say that while your hearing might not be fully restored there are chances that the treatment could improve some type of hearing loss, especially nerve deafness.
Through clinical trials acupuncture has been proven to help with chronic pain, and some studies thoroughly research its effects to highlight the benefits that go beyond the placebo effect doctors believe in.
Pain can trigger stress, which triggers tinnitus, thus this form of therapy can indirectly help tinnitus patients. Acupuncture has calming benefits and is a common treatment for anxiety. It is very likely going to help in reducing the symptoms of tinnitus due to the close link between stress and tinnitus. Reducing stress levels will have a positive effect on tinnitus, and bring relief from tinnitus.
How does it work?
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicinal method that depends on the Qi (energy) in your body. The energy flows within your body using a pathway called meridians. These are throughout your body. The concept of qi is to create an inner balance for your body to help the body heal itself.
During an acupuncture session needles almost as thin as hair are placed subcutaneously into your body. These are placed at certain points to stimulate your nerves based on the symptoms you are addressing.
Between 8 to 12 needles are used to stimulate all the important pressure points around the ear. Continue these sessions at least 8 to 10 times for increased benefits. If you’re going to a traditional Chinese practitioner, they complement the treatment with various herbs to boost the body’s immune system.
What points are being used?
Tinnitus is divided into five categories before the treatment and this is based on the type of disruption to your qi. If your hearing loss is due to the imbalance in your kidneys or gallbladder the qi pathways running along this part of your body will be stimulated.
This makes the site of your acupuncture shift towards abdominal points to improve kidney function.
However, if the source of the problem is your ear, which is most common, then the following points are used to reduce the effects of tinnitus.
1. Tinggong (SI19) – Small Intestine 19
- Position: Located just in front of the ear, in the depression between the ear and the condyle of the mandible, when the mouth is open.
- Effectiveness: Tinggong is a powerful point for treating ear-related conditions such as tinnitus, ear pain, and hearing loss. It is also used for facial paralysis, jaw pain, and problems related to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). It has a strong action on the head, face, and ears.
2. Ermen (TB21) – Triple Burner 21
- Position: Located in the depression just anterior to the tragus of the ear, where the ear connects to the skull.
- Effectiveness: Ermen is commonly used to treat ear and jaw disorders, including ear pain, tinnitus, and hearing issues. It can also help with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ) and issues related to the face and mouth.
3. Shangguan (GB3) – Gallbladder 3
- Position: Located in the depression of the temporal bone, approximately 0.5 cun anterior to the ear canal.
- Effectiveness: Shangguan is used to treat headaches, ear-related problems (such as tinnitus and earache), facial paralysis, and jaw issues. It also helps with conditions related to the face, such as eye disorders or TMJ disorders.
4. Tinghui (GB2) – Gallbladder 2
- Position: Located in the depression just in front of the ear canal, where the ear meets the skull.
- Effectiveness: Tinghui is especially effective in treating tinnitus, ear infections, and hearing loss. It also helps with jaw and facial pain, and it can alleviate headaches and dizziness.
5. Taixi (KI3) – Kidney 3
- Position: Located in the depression between the medial malleolus and the Achilles tendon, at the level of the ankle.
- Effectiveness: Taixi is one of the most important points for nourishing Kidney Yin and Yang. It is used to treat a wide range of conditions, including tinnitus (especially when related to Kidney deficiency), lower back pain, fatigue, impotence, and urinary disorders. It is often considered a foundational point for replenishing vitality.
6. Yindu (KI19) – Kidney 19
- Position: Located 0.5 cun lateral to the midline of the body, at the level of the lower border of the xiphoid process.
- Effectiveness: Yindu is used to treat conditions related to the digestion and the upper and lower body. It is often used to help with nausea, abdominal distension, and issues with the Kidneys. It can also support the treatment of heart palpitations, asthma, and other issues connected to the Kidney and digestive systems.
7. Fengchi (GB20) – Gallbladder 20
- Position: Located in the hollow between the upper portion of the trapezius and the base of the skull, just below the occipital bone.
- Effectiveness: Fengchi is one of the most commonly used points for treating headaches, dizziness, neck stiffness, and upper respiratory issues like colds and flu. It is also effective for conditions like eye disorders (e.g., blurred vision) and tinnitus.
8. Zhongzhu (SJ3) – San Jiao 3
- Position: Located on the dorsum of the hand, in the depression proximal to the fourth and fifth metacarpophalangeal joints.
- Effectiveness: Zhongzhu is used to regulate the San Jiao (Triple Burner), and it has a broad range of applications. It helps with ear problems such as tinnitus and hearing loss, and is also beneficial for headaches, neck pain, and disorders related to the upper limbs.
9. Hegu (LI4) – Large Intestine 4
- Position: Located on the dorsum of the hand, between the first and second metacarpal bones, at the midpoint of the second metacarpal bone.
- Effectiveness: Hegu is a very powerful point, often referred to as the “Command Point for the Face.” It is widely used for pain relief, including headaches, toothaches, and facial pain. Hegu is also effective in treating conditions like colds, stress, and various ear-related problems (including tinnitus).
10. Yanglao (SI6) – Small Intestine 6
- Position: Located on the ulnar side of the forearm, about 1 cun posterior to the wrist joint.
- Effectiveness: Yanglao is especially useful for treating eye problems such as blurry vision, dry eyes, and eye fatigue. It is also commonly used for conditions affecting the shoulder and arm. Additionally, it can be beneficial in treating age-related conditions, especially in the elderly.
Is it right for you?
Acupuncturists have existed for hundreds of years. This treatment has become popular to a point that people all over the world have taken advantage of it. You’re going to find much traditional Japanese medicine enthusiasts within your city.
The treatment for improving hearing loss through acupuncture has been used for centuries. This form of alternative therapy has a promising future and is in the “it might help” category.
The risks are low, and you’re going to feel at peace mentally after getting the procedure done. However, much like any alternate medicine acupuncture can be expensive and will not be covered by health insurance.
However, before you try acupuncture, do make it a point to visit your hearing health specialist for a comprehensive hearing test to learn more about what is causing your hearing loss and your hearing health.
Sometimes hearing loss is simply due to ear wax buildup or an ear infection. Make sure you know what kind you’re dealing with so you’re better able to tell your acupuncturist about where and why the loss is happening.
Is acupuncture safe to try?
If performed by a trained and experienced acupuncturist there should be little to no complications when it comes to treating hearing loss with acupuncture. This form of therapy, in general, is also safe to try with no long-lasting effects that can be physically or mentally debilitating.
Nonetheless if performed incorrectly it can create complications that put you at risk of serious side effects. If the needles are penetrated too deep into the skin they might be in danger of stabbing vital organs or important nerves.
The needles need to be sterilized properly before they are used on you, as that can be a cause of an unknown disease entering your bloodstream. Make sure you’re going to licensed acupuncturists as they are under strict rules to use only disposable needles.
After a session, people might experience mild side effects like nausea, dizziness, or tenderness around the acupuncture points. You should avoid this treatment if you are pregnant, take blood thinners, or have a pacemaker that can be affected due to the mild electric pulse used with acupuncture needles.
Benefits of acupuncture for tinnitus
While the jury is still out on whether acupuncture can be used as a definitive cure for tinnitus, there are recent studies that suggest acupuncture decreases the intensity of tinnitus. It boosts the quality of life, and makes the world, for those who suffer from tinnitus, quieter and less severe.
If you pair acupuncture for tinnitus with other good habits like regular exercise and a nutritious diet, you’re going to see faster results. For those who experience tinnitus due to hypertension, acupuncture becomes an extremely effective way to reduce its severity by helping regulate blood circulation.
Final word
Acupuncture might be one of the most promising ways to reduce the symptoms of tinnitus if not completely cure it. There are still more important researches that need to be done to conclude how well people respond to this treatment alone.
This is why we are now seeing more and more studies that are trying to look into the effects acupuncture has on common illnesses. While the world is still trying to understand how acupuncture can achieve such results, documented research does show that it works without inducing any long-lasting side effects.
