While we have seen some evidence that chiropractic may assist in managing ear infections (technically called otitis media), with case reports and systematic reviews churning out varying levels of evidence of positive paediatric outcomes, hearing loss is a much more severe issue. On that, we have less evidence. Therefore, the question “Can chiropractic help with conductive hearing loss?” remains largely unanswered.
A new case report emerging from the Journal of Contemporary Chiropractic has taken aim at this issue, detailing the care of a 4-year-old who had been diagnosed with conductive hearing loss.
In this case, the young patient had undergone an audiogram (after parents noted he was no longer responding when his name was called). This showed 25% conductive hearing loss in both ears. While this would be classified as “mild”, it was none-the-less significant. There was some fluid present (non-purulent – i.e. not related to infection), and the primary care physician had recommended medication to resolve it. The parents, however, decided to pursue chiropractic care instead.
Medication and surgical procedures are often recommended for treatment due to hearing loss after an ear infection. This is especially so given antibiotic resistance. Therefore, it’s no surprise that alternative treatments are considered if people want to avoid this route.
Given the situation, and given the fluid was thought not to be related to an ear-infection, the chiropractor undertook a thorough examination including physical, orthopeadic and neurological exams to get a full picture of the childs health. This came back with some indications of hypertonic muscles (tight muscles) and decreased rotation and bending ability in the upper neck area (sub-occipitals, cervical paraspinals and occiput).
How do you adjust a child, though? Contrary to popular opinion, you do so gently and in a manner that is modified to suit their age and tensile strength. In this case, the Activator instrument was used to deliver low force adjustments. Ten were delivered over the course of three weeks.
The parents followed the three-week care plan with another check-up with their physician, who referred the youngster to get another audiogram. At this check-up, the audiogram showed no hearing loss, and the patient’s parents chose to continue chiropractic care.
What does it mean for chiropractic?
While the case is strong in that there was objective testing, a quick resolution and no surgery or medication was needed, it is also true that this may have resolved over time. However, regaining hearing after just three weeks of non-invasive, non-pharmacological treament via the chiropractic adjustment is noteworthy.
Why might this have happened, though? While more research is certainly warranted to lock down the mechanisms behind the improvement, the obvious place to look is the muscles in the upper neck. The authors of the case report noted that “A possible mechanism of improvement is relaxation of noted muscle spasm in the cervical region following chiropractic manipulation. The muscle spasms may have been mechanically disporting the eustachian tube, lymphatic drainage and/or disruptive nerves or blood vessels to the inner ear causing improper drainage.”
With the nervous system of a four-year-old being just as intricate as that of an adult but much smaller in size, is it any wonder that supporting movement, drainage and proper muscle tone and tension could have run-on effects like this? We look forward to bigger studies on hearing and on ear infections. In the mean time, we are happy this one came out with a happy ending.
REFERENCES
- Dittmar C, Mansholt B. RESOLUTION OF HEARING LOSS IN A 4-YEAR-OLD: A CASE REPORT.JCC. 2024;7(1):28-31.
