ACUPUNCTURE EFFECT IN DEAFNESS CAUSED BY STREPTOMYCIN INTOXICATION

Xu Bin, Wang Baishun, Fang Guoyun

(Cooperative Group of Acupuncture Treatment for Streptomycin Intoxication Deafness, Suizhong, Liaoning)

In the years from late 1980 to early 1982, fifty patients with deafness caused by streptomycin intoxication were investigated, 18 females and 32 males. Age ranged within 9-64 years old. The course of disease was between 1-20 years. Fifteen cases had family history.

Before treatment hearing was examined once daily for four days successively and their mean value was calculated.

After treatment hearing was-tested for two times, each test per day and the mean was obtained.

The difference of the above two means indicated the raise of auditory acuity.

Selection of point and manipulation:

Main points: Ermen and Tinggong.

Auxiliary points: Baihui, Jiaosun, Lianquan and Waiguan.

Patients seated in erect position. Needle was punctured perpendicularly or obliquely, neither inserting nor withdrawing was performed after insertion of needle. At first the chief technique was reducing method and followed by reinforcing method. The retaining of the needle was fifteen minutes. One course consisted of ten treatments. Between two courses there was an interval of three days.

Criterion of efficiency: Markedly improved: The mean difference was more than 15 decibels;

Improved: The mean difference was between five to fifteen decibels;

Ineffective: The mean difference was less than five decibels.

Results

On discharge of these fifty patients, 21 were improved, the effective rate was 42%. Among them seven were markedly improved, 14%; and fourteen were improved, 28%. Twenty-nine had no change, 58%. Thirteen of the 21 improved instances were followed up for six months after discharge and audiometry was done. Result showed that hearing remained the same level as discharge in ten cases, following effective in 20% and lowered in three, following ineffective in 6%. Letters from the rest eight patients who was not visited said their hearing did not reduce since departing from hospital, for 16%.

In traditional Chinese medicine, deafness is always treated by means of opening orifice, sharpening hearing, regulating Yin-Yang, dredging meridian, reinforcing the deficiency and reducing the excess and so on. The effect will be rather better either in the presence of itching and distending sense or explosive propagating needling sensation passing to the affected area during acupuncturing Ermen and Tinggong. Tinnitus and intracranial noise which may interfere hearing acuity should have to be treated first thus hearing might be improved.