Acupuncture for Tinnitus
Excess and deficiency ringing — differentiating the sound
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Chinese medicine has differentiated tinnitus (耳鸣 ěr míng) for two millennia along a single decisive axis: excess or deficiency. A loud, sudden, high-pitched ring that worsens with pressure on the ear suggests Liver Fire or Phlegm-Fire rising. A faint, chronic, low hum that worsens with fatigue and improves with pressure suggests Kidney Essence or Spleen Qi failing to reach the ear.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How does TCM differentiate tinnitus?+
By the character of the sound and what changes it. Loud, sudden, high-pitched ringing that worsens with pressure on the ear indicates an excess pattern such as Liver Fire. Faint, chronic, low-pitched humming that worsens with fatigue and eases with pressure indicates a deficiency pattern.
Which acupuncture points are used for tinnitus?+
TE 17 Yì Fēng, SI 19 Tīng Gōng, GB 2 Tīng Huì and TE 21 Ěr Mén form the local group. The distal point is chosen by pattern: LR 2 Xíng Jiān for Liver Fire, KI 3 Tài Xī for Kidney Essence deficiency.
When should tinnitus be referred for medical assessment?+
Refer promptly for sudden hearing loss, one-sided tinnitus, pulsatile tinnitus, or tinnitus with vertigo or neurological signs. These warrant audiological and medical assessment before or alongside any acupuncture treatment.