The classic story of
the first chiropractic adjustment by DD Palmer, the founder of chiropractic, involves
the hearing return of a deaf janitor after spinal manipulation.
(1) So interesting! Today’s research reports
help describe and confirm the connection
of hearing and cervical spine pain issues. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC hears reports
of improvement in La Grande chiropractic patients for seemingly unrelated things that brought them
into Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC for chiropractic care. Patients are thrilled!
Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC is ecstatic for them. Let’s contemplate this side-effect of hearing loss improvement 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 publications for decades. In
1994, one author submitted a discussion 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 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)
La Grande chiropractic patients report such conditions
sometimes, so Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC is not surprised
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
chance of hearing loss in patients with limited
left rotation ability is high. Such hearing loss after a cervical spine injury
is more usual in men. (3) Additionally, there is evidence
of interaction between the somatosensory and auditory brainstem structures, a
pathway linking the cervical spine to hearing function.
Researchers are seeking ways to define the
pathway and understand better how spinal nerves like those of C2 (the second
cervical spine segment) influence auditory responses (hearing).
They have discovered 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
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. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC
considers this when caring for La Grande cervical spine pain
patients with a hearing loss or deficit.
CHIROPRACTIC HELP FOR La Grande HEARING LOSS
RELATED TO CERVICAL SPINE ISSUES
Since that first chiropractic adjustment in 1895,
chiropractic has documented improvement for more cases of hearing issues. A study of 90 patients who experienced cervicogenic
sudden hearing loss recorded that those who had
chiropractic treatment in addition to routine medical care recovered
their hearing and relieved 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 graded
her problems a 7 at the beginning of care and a 1 at
the conclusion of 5 months of care. An audiogram was normal, too. (7)
These are pleasing outcomes that La Grande
hearing loss patients could welcome! Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC is prepared
for the chance to help!
CONSIDER Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC FOR RELIEF
Listen to this PODCAST
about how Cox Technic eases cervical spine related
neck pain and shoulder pain.
Schedule a La Grande chiropractic visit
to explore how Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC may help ease
cervical spine problems, neck pain and even possibly
cervical spine related hearing loss.