The traditional account of
the first chiropractic adjustment by DD Palmer, the founder of chiropractic, involves
the hearing restoration of a deaf janitor after spinal manipulation.
(1) Fascinating! Today’s research studies
help describe and confirm the connection
of hearing and cervical spine pain issues. Lakeshore Chiropractic hears stories
of improvement in Two Rivers chiropractic patients for seemingly unrelated things that brought them
into Lakeshore Chiropractic for chiropractic care. Patients are thrilled!
Lakeshore Chiropractic is excited for them. Let’s consider this side-effect of hearing loss improvement after
chiropractic spinal manipulation.
THE HEARING AND CERVICAL SPINE CONNECTION
Hearing loss is not that unusual with
cervical spine problems. The association
of cervical spine and hearing has been discussed in
the medical literature for years and years. In
1994, one author presented 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)
Two Rivers chiropractic patients recount such issues
occasionally, so Lakeshore 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 cause 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) Further, there is indication
of interaction between the somatosensory and auditory brainstem structures, a
pathway connecting the cervical spine to hearing function.
Researchers are working to find 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 stretching
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 indicate about the
connection between hearing and the cervical spine? A connection. Lakeshore Chiropractic
considers this when making a treatment plan for Two Rivers cervical spine pain
patients with a hearing loss or deficit.
CHIROPRACTIC HELP FOR Two Rivers 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 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 linked
to 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 graded
her problems 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 Two Rivers
hearing loss patients could embrace! Lakeshore Chiropractic is prepared
for the chance to help!
CONSIDER Lakeshore Chiropractic FOR RELIEF
Listen to this PODCAST
about how Cox Technic alleviates cervical spine related
neck pain and shoulder pain.
Schedule a Two Rivers chiropractic visit
to see how Lakeshore Chiropractic may help relieve
cervical spine issues, neck pain and even potentially
cervical spine related hearing loss.