Chinese Medicine for Ringing in the Ears and Deafness

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and deafness are not seen as isolated conditions. Instead, they are linked to deeper imbalances in the body. Depending on the underlying cause, symptoms may point toward excess patterns like wind-heat, hot liver, or dampness-sputum, or deficiency patterns such as kidney weakness. Treatment aims to restore harmony by clearing heat, dispersing wind, resolving phlegm, or tonifying the kidneys.

Wind-Heat Pattern

Key Symptoms: sudden ringing in the ears and deafness, cough, dizziness, headache, intolerance of light, red eyes, sore throat, nasal congestion, yellow discharge, thirst, and nosebleed.

Treatment Principle: Clear heat, disperse wind, expand the lungs.
Classical Formula: Yin-Qiao-San or Cang-Er-Zi-San.
Food Remedies: banana, bitter endive, black fungus, spinach, strawberry, bamboo shoot, cucumber, Job’s-tears, laver, leaf beet, mung bean, peppermint, purslane, spearmint, sweet basil, celery, coconut meat, green onion.

Hot Liver Pattern

Key Symptoms: loud ringing in the ears, deafness, bitter taste in the mouth, rib pain, dry throat, haematuria, morning sickness, psychological depression, twitching, vaginal discharge with foul odor, pink eyes with swelling.

Treatment Principle: Clear heat, sedate liver fire.
Classical Formula: Long-Dan-Xie-Gan-Tang.
Food Remedies: cow’s gallbladder, banana, bitter endive, black fungus, spinach, strawberry, bamboo shoot, cucumber, Job’s-tears, leaf beet, mung bean, peppermint, purslane.

Dampness-Sputum Pattern

Key Symptoms: dizziness with ringing in the ears, cough with white watery sputum, excessive whitish discharge, headache, chest pain, panting, prolonged dizziness, sleepiness or insomnia, vomiting, white slippery sputum.

Treatment Principle: Transform phlegm, clear fire, harmonize the stomach.
Classical Formula: Wen-Dan-Tang or Ban-Xia-Bai-Zhu-Tian-Ma-Tang.
Food Remedies: peppermint, spearmint, sweet basil, celery, coconut meat, green onion, asparagus, bamboo shoot, jujube date, leaf of brown mustard, mustard seed, black and white pepper, fresh ginger, crown daisy.

Kidney Deficiency Pattern

Key Symptoms: chronic backache, tinnitus like cicadas, deafness, urinary disorders, large amounts of urine without thirst, frequent miscarriage, hair loss, diarrhea, desire to lie down and sleep, lower abdominal pain relieved by massage, toothache.

Treatment Principle: Nourish kidney yin, suppress excess yang, strengthen the kidneys.
Classical Formula: Er-Long-Zuo-Ci-Wan or Da-Bu-Yin-Wan.
Food Remedies: abalone, asparagus, chicken egg, white fungus, black sesame seed, beef kidney, chestnut, chicken liver, lobster, pork kidney, raspberry, scallop, sea cucumber, shrimp, sweet bean, walnut.

In TCM, tinnitus and deafness may arise from heat, phlegm, or deficiency patterns. Identifying the exact root imbalance is essential for effective treatment. Herbal formulas and dietary therapy are tailored to match the patient’s presentation, aiming to restore balance and reduce ear symptoms.