Chiropractic care has been used to treat many conditions. Unfortunately, over the years, many chiropractors have made claims surrounding chiropractic care that isn’t backed by science. While many chiropractors make legitimate claims backed by research, such as Governor’s Park Chiropractic, which owns a Lone Tree chiropractic practice, others make problematic, unfounded claims.
In this article, we’re answering whether chiropractic care can cure hearing loss. Though the manipulation of the spine can reduce inflammation, a hearing loss test will prove chiropractic care has little discernible effect on hearing loss. Still, it’s important to understand more research is needed to determine the overall treatment applications for chiropractic care.
What Is Chiropractic Care?
Chiropractic care is an alternative medicine that involves the manipulation of the spine and other joints in the body. The aim of chiropractic care is to promote overall joint health and reduced pain. In the past, some chiropractors have claimed chiropractic care can potentially cure hearing loss. It’s important to understand there is no substantial evidence supporting this evidence.
What Is Hearing Loss?
Hearing loss is a typical condition affecting millions of people around the world. Multiple factors can cause hearing loss. These include aging, exposure to loud noise, and common medical conditions. Sensorineural hearing loss occurs accompanying damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve. This type of hearing loss is permanent and cannot be cured.
Why Can’t Chiropractic Care Cure Hearing Loss?
Chiropractic care is considered a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). It primarily focuses on the spine and the musculoskeletal system. Chiropractors believe misalignments with the spine cause various health issues throughout the body. But there is no scientific evidence supporting the use of chiropractic care for hearing loss.
The primary reason why the treatment of hearing loss is incompatible with chiropractic care is that they treat different systems of the body. Chiropractic care treats the musculoskeletal system and chiropractors use manipulation techniques to adjust the spine and other joints. This should reduce pain and improve overall health. However, this has nothing to do with the auditory system.
Is Chiropractic Care Designed to Address Hearing Loss?
Chiropractic cannot address hearing loss. The first reason chiropractic care cannot address hearing loss is that it doesn’t address the underlying causes of hearing loss. Most causes of hearing loss result from damage incurred to the inner ear or auditory nerve. While chiropractic care can potentially improve the neurological connection of the body, it cannot reverse damage committed to the auditory nerve.
Also, scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of chiropractic care in treating hearing loss lacks. Anecdotal evidence exists of chiropractic care improving hearing loss. But this is likely due to a reduction in pain in the neck and shoulders. The increased blood flow to the ears could temporarily produce the sensation of cured hearing loss but won’t address the underlying issue.
Lastly, proven medical treatments exist for hearing loss. Hearing aids, cochlear implants, and other interventions address the underlying causes of hearing loss and improve function. Taking these factors into account, one can see how chiropractic care might be useful as a complementary treatment to hearing loss but not a primary one.
How Do You Treat Hearing Loss?
Sometimes, you can treat hearing loss with hearing aids, cochlear implants, or other assistive devices. These devices can amplify sound or provide electrical stimulation to the auditory nerve. This can improve hearing loss and facilitate people’s ability to participate in daily activities. Hearing loss might also require medical or surgical intervention, such as medication, ear tube surgery, or cochlear implant surgery. These treatments address the specific cause of hearing loss rather than speculation.
What Are the Risks of Chiropractic Care?
There are also risks to chiropractic care. Generally, it is considered safe but rare cases of serious complications, such as stroke and nerve damage further disprove the assertion that chiropractic care can cure hearing loss.
Bottom Line- Can Chiropractic Care Cure Hearing Loss?
Chiropractic care cannot cure hearing loss. While people might report improved hearing following a chiropractic adjustment, these reports are likely a result of the reduction of tension and pain in the neck and shoulders. There is no scientific evidence supporting chiropractic care curing hearing loss and other, more researched treatments have proven to be effective.
If you experience hearing loss, seek medical attention from qualified healthcare specialists and see a certified healthcare provider, such as an audiologist or an ear, nose, and throat doctor (ENT). These specialists can provide thorough examinations and recommend qualified treatments.
Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash
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