The classic account of
the first chiropractic adjustment by DD Palmer, the founder of chiropractic, details
the hearing return of a deaf janitor after spinal manipulation.
(1) So interesting! Today’s research studies
help describe and confirm the connection
of hearing and cervical spine pain issues. Tarrytown Chiropractic hears reports
of improvement in Tarrytown chiropractic patients for issues not
always related to the issue that brought them
into Tarrytown Chiropractic for chiropractic care. Patients are thrilled!
Tarrytown Chiropractic is ecstatic for them. Let’s reflect
on this side-effect of hearing loss recovery after
chiropractic spinal manipulation.
THE HEARING AND CERVICAL SPINE CONNECTION
Hearing loss is not that rare with
cervical spine issues. The association
of cervical spine and hearing has been discussed in
the medical publications for decades. In
1994, one author submitted an idea 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 conditions
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)
Tarrytown chiropractic patients report such problems
occasionally, so Tarrytown Chiropractic is not shocked
at all.
Cervical spine issues can affect ear vessels and/or nerves resulting
in hearing loss, vertigo or tinnitus. Cervical spine
injuries can trigger pain and limits in range of motion. The
possibility of hearing loss in patients with limited
left rotation ability is high. Such hearing loss after a cervical spine injury
is more common in men. (3) Additionally, there is indication
of interaction between the somatosensory and auditory brainstem structures, a
pathway linking the cervical spine to hearing function.
Researchers are seeking ways to describe the
pathway and understand better how spinal nerves like those of C2 (the second
cervical spine segment) have an effect on 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
suffer with 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. Tarrytown Chiropractic
considers this when treating Tarrytown cervical spine pain
patients who have a hearing loss or deficit.
CHIROPRACTIC HELP FOR Tarrytown 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 had cervicogenic
sudden hearing loss recorded that those who had
chiropractic treatment in addition to routine medical care improved
their hearing and alleviated 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 undergoing chiropractic spinal manipulation
treatment. On a scale of 0 (no problem) to 10 (complete impairment), she graded
her issues a 7 at the start of care and a 1 at
the end of 5 months of care. An audiogram was normal, too. (7)
These are satisfying outcomes that Tarrytown
hearing loss patients could accept! Tarrytown Chiropractic is up
for the chance to help!
CONSIDER Tarrytown Chiropractic FOR RELIEF
Listen to this PODCAST
about how Cox Technic alleviates cervical spine related
neck pain and shoulder pain.
Schedule a Tarrytown chiropractic appointment
to explore how Tarrytown Chiropractic may help relieve
cervical spine issues, neck pain and even possibly
cervical spine related hearing loss.