Improvement in Hearing After Chiropractic Care: A Case Series

This section is compiled by Frank M. Painter, D.C.
Send all comments or additions to:   Frankp@chiro.org

FROM: Chiropractic & Osteopathy 2006 (Jan 19);   14 (1):   2 ~ FULL TEXT

Joseph O Di Duro

BACKGROUND:   The first chiropractic adjustment given in 1895 was reported to have cured deafness. This study examined the effects of a single, initial chiropractic visit on the central nervous system by documenting clinical changes of audiometry in patients after chiropractic care.

CASE PRESENTATION:   Fifteen patients are presented (9 male, 6 female) with a mean age of 54.3 (range 34-71). A Welch Allyn AudioScope 3 was used to screen frequencies of 1000, 2000, 4000 and 500 Hz respectively at three standard decibel levels 20 decibels (dB), 25dB and 40dB, respectively, before and immediately after the first chiropractic intervention. Several criteria were used to determine hearing impairment. Ventry & Weinstein criteria of missing one or more tones in either ear at 40dB and Speech-frequency criteria of missing one or more tones in either ear at 25dB. All patients were classified as hearing impaired though greater on the right. At 40dB using the Ventry & Weinstein criteria, 6 had hearing restored, 7 improved and 2 had no change. At 25dB using the Speech-frequency criteria, none were restored, 11 improved, 4 had no change and 3 missed a tone.

CONCLUSIONS:   A percentage of patients presenting to the chiropractor have a mild to moderate hearing loss, most notably in the right ear. The clinical progress documented in this report suggests that manipulation delivered to the neuromusculoskeletal system may create central plastic changes in the auditory system.

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