Cervical Spine Related Hearing Loss and Neck Pain Relief with Chiropractic
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 describe and confirm the connection of hearing and cervical spine pain issues. Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC hears reports of improvement in La Grande chiropractic patients for seemingly unrelated things that brought them into Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC for chiropractic care. Patients are thrilled! Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC is ecstatic for them. Let’s reflect on this side-effect of hearing loss improvement after chiropractic spinal manipulation.
THE HEARING AND CERVICAL SPINE CONNECTION
Hearing loss is not that rare with cervical spine problems. The connection of cervical spine and hearing has been discussed in the medical literature for years and years. In 1994, one author gave 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) La Grande chiropractic patients report such issues occasionally, so Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC is not shocked at all.
Cervical spine issues can affect ear vessels and/or nerves bringing about hearing loss, vertigo or tinnitus. Cervical spine injuries can produce 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 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) 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 say about the connection between hearing and the cervical spine? A connection. Dr. 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 had cervicogenic sudden hearing loss recorded that those who underwent chiropractic treatment in addition to routine medical care improved 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 having 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 conclusion of 5 months of care. An audiogram was normal, too. (7) These are pleasing outcomes that La Grande hearing loss patients could embrace! Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC is prepared for the chance to help!
CONSIDER Dr. 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 appointment to see how Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC may help relieve cervical spine issues, neck pain and even potentially cervical spine related hearing loss.
