The classic story of
the first chiropractic adjustment by DD Palmer, the founder of chiropractic, details
the hearing restoration of a deaf janitor after spinal manipulation.
(1) So interesting! Today’s research studies
help clarify and confirm the connection
of hearing and cervical spine pain issues. Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries hears stories
of improvement in Manchester chiropractic patients for issues not
always related to the issue that brought them
into Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries for chiropractic care. Patients are thrilled!
Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries is ecstatic for them. Let us study this side-effect of hearing loss improvement after
chiropractic spinal manipulation.
THE HEARING AND CERVICAL SPINE CONNECTION
Hearing loss is not that rare with
cervical spine problems. The association
of cervical spine and hearing has been considered in
the medical literature for decades. In
1994, one author presented a discussion of the
existence of a “vertebragenic hearing disorder” that accompanies
with tinnitus, a feeling of ear pressure, otalgia and deafness due to
functional deficit of the upper cervical spine. He linked issues
like cervical vertigo and hearing disorders in 15% of patients with cervical
spine issues and hearing losses of 5 to 25 decibels in 40% of them. (2)
Manchester chiropractic patients recount such problems
occasionally, so Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries is not shocked
at all.
Cervical spine issues can affect ear vessels and/or nerves bringing about hearing loss, vertigo or tinnitus. Cervical spine
injuries can trigger pain and limits in range of motion. The
chance of hearing loss in patients with limited
left rotation ability is high. Such hearing loss after a cervical spine injury
is more usual in men. (3) Further, there is evidence
of interaction between the somatosensory and auditory brainstem structures, a
pathway joining the cervical spine to hearing function.
Researchers are working to define the
pathway and understand better how spinal nerves like those of C2 (the second
cervical spine segment) influence auditory responses (hearing).
They have found projections from C2 dorsal root ganglion extending
to the cochlear nucleus. (4) Patients who have Kimmerle’s anomaly – an
anatomical modification of the first cervical segment (C1) – often
have chronic tension-type headaches and
neurosensory-type hearing loss. (5) What does this say about the
connection between hearing and the cervical spine? A connection. Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries
considers this when caring for Manchester cervical spine pain
patients who have a hearing loss or deficit.
CHIROPRACTIC HELP FOR Manchester HEARING LOSS
RELATED TO CERVICAL SPINE ISSUES
Since that first chiropractic adjustment in 1895,
chiropractic has documented improvement for more patients
with hearing issues. A study of 90 patients who experienced cervicogenic
sudden hearing loss reported that those who underwent
chiropractic treatment in addition to routine medical care improved
their hearing and relieved their neck pain effectively
after 10 days of care. (6) A case of hearing loss and tinnitus associated with cervicogenic neck pain in a female patient whose hearing and tinnitus
were improved after having chiropractic spinal manipulation
treatment. On a scale of 0 (no problem) to 10 (complete impairment), she rated
her problems a 7 at the start of care and a 1 at
the conclusion of 5 months of care. An audiogram was normal, too. (7)
These are pleasing outcomes that Manchester
hearing loss patients could embrace! Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries is prepared
for the opportunity to help!
CONSIDER Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries FOR RELIEF
Listen to this PODCAST
about how Cox Technic relieves cervical spine related
neck pain and shoulder pain.
Schedule a Manchester chiropractic visit
to explore how Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries may help improve
cervical spine problems, neck pain and even potentially
cervical spine related hearing loss.
"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the
DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by
Dr. James M. Cox I."