The traditional account of
the first chiropractic adjustment by DD Palmer, the founder of chiropractic, involves
the hearing return of a deaf janitor after spinal manipulation.
(1) Fascinating! Today’s research studies
help clarify and corroborate the connection
of hearing and cervical spine pain issues. Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office hears reports
of improvement in Groton chiropractic patients for seemingly unrelated things that brought them
into Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office for chiropractic care. Patients are delighted!
Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office is ecstatic for them. Let us consider this side-effect of hearing loss recovery after
chiropractic spinal manipulation.
THE HEARING AND CERVICAL SPINE CONNECTION
Hearing loss is not that uncommon with
cervical spine problems. The association
of cervical spine and hearing has been discussed in
the medical literature for decades. In
1994, one author presented an idea of the
existence of a “vertebragenic hearing disorder” that comes
with tinnitus, a feeling of ear pressure, otalgia and deafness due to
functional deficit of the upper cervical spine. He attached 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)
Groton chiropractic patients report such issues
sometimes, so Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office is not shocked
at all.
Cervical spine issues can affect ear vessels and/or nerves causing 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 evidence
of interaction between the somatosensory and auditory brainstem structures, a
pathway connecting the cervical spine to hearing function.
Researchers are working 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 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. Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office
considers this when treating Groton cervical spine pain
patients who have a hearing loss or deficit.
CHIROPRACTIC HELP FOR Groton HEARING LOSS
RELATED TO CERVICAL SPINE ISSUES
Since that first chiropractic adjustment in 1895,
chiropractic has recorded improvement for more cases of hearing issues. A study of 90 patients who experienced cervicogenic
sudden hearing loss recorded that those who underwent
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 undergoing chiropractic spinal manipulation
treatment. On a scale of 0 (no problem) to 10 (complete impairment), she rated
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 Groton
hearing loss patients could accept! Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office is prepared
for the chance to help!
CONSIDER Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office FOR RELIEF
Listen to this PODCAST
about how Cox Technic relieves cervical spine related
neck pain and shoulder pain.
Schedule a Groton chiropractic appointment
to see how Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office may help relieve
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."