Deafness, or hearing loss, is a partial or complete inability to hear. Its extent ranges from mild difficulties hearing soft sounds to the impossibility of detecting any sound at all. Deafness may be congenital (a person is born deaf) or acquired later on as a result of various reasons: aging (presbycusis), exposure to noise, infections (like otitis media, meningitis), certain drugs, injuries, genetic disorders, blockage of the ear canal with wax.
Hearing loss is called ‘Badhirya’ in Ayurveda and is mainly related to an imbalance in your Vata dosha, the energy that controls movement and communication in your body. Vata disturbance due to aging, excessive stress, poor lifestyle or improper diet can result in hearing problems.
Ayurveda also believes that Ama (toxins) may block the fine channels (srotas) of your ear. This blockage prevents sound signals from being processed properly, resulting in partial or total hearing loss.
According to Ayurvedic texts, hearing is a function of Akash Mahabhuta (space element) and in case this element is disturbed in your body, your hearing gets affected.
Unlike quick fixes, Ayurveda treats your whole body rather than just symptoms. It balances your doshas using herbs, medicated oils, detox therapies such as Panchakarma and lifestyle changes. The goal is not just to treat the symptoms but fix the underlying cause of hearing loss.
So, if you are searching for a natural, holistic and safe way to support your ears then hearing loss treatment in Ayurveda can be the best choice for you.
Everyone experiences hearing loss differently. In fact, there are various kinds of hearing loss based on which region of your ear is affected. Let us break it down into simple terms, so you can choose the right hearing loss treatment in Ayurveda for your condition.
This type of hearing loss occurs when something prevents sound from reaching your inner ear. If you think of your ear as a tunnel, then such blockage prevents sound from passing through this tunnel. In this type, you may feel like your ear is "full" or sounds are muffled, like you are hearing through a wall or underwater.
Causes of conductive hearing loss include:
In most cases, conductive hearing loss is temporary and can be treated with Ayurvedic medicines, ear cleaning, or basic Ayurvedic therapies.
The most common kind of hearing loss is sensorineural hearing Loss, which happens when your inner ear (particularly the cochlea) or the nerves which carry sound to your brain are damaged. In sensorineural hearing loss, you might hear people talking but not clearly. It sounds like everyone is mumbling, especially in loud places. This type can also come with tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
Causes of sensorineural hearing loss include:
This kind is usually permanent but can be controlled with hearing aids or Ayurvedic treatments.
This is a mix of conductive and sensorineural hearing Loss. You may have damage in both your outer/middle ear and your inner ear. In this kind, you'll notice symptoms of both types: muffled sounds, unclear speech, and trouble hearing in noisy environments.
Hearing loss is not just restricted to old people. Your daily habits, job and even your health problems can slowly or suddenly affect how you hear. Let us look at some common reasons for hearing loss to help you understand what's impacting your ears.
You might be able to hear sounds but fail to not understand what's being said, especially in noisy places like restaurants or family gatherings.
If you think people are not speaking clearly or their voices sound dull, you may have hearing loss.You may find that words do not sound as sharp as they once did.
If you often "What did you say?" or "Can you say that again?", then this could be an early sign of hearing loss. You might also ask people to speak slowly or clearly
You might start avoiding phone calls, group talks or social gatherings because it's too tiring to follow conversations. This may cause isolation or frustration
Lots of people with hearing loss also hear ringing, buzzing, or hissing in their ears. This may happen even in the complete silence of the surroundings.
Are you constantly turning up the volume on the TV or your phone? If others tell you it is too loud but you still can not hear, your hearing could be affected.
You might constantly feel like there is something in your ear or that your ear is plugged.
You might not be able to hear consonants such as s, h, or f clearly. These are softer sounds that can easily get lost when your hearing is affected
Jiva Ayurveda offers holistic Ayurvedic treatment for hearing loss using evidence-based Ayurvedic methods. Our treatment plans are made in a customised manner to target the root causes of hearing loss, and instead of just treating symptoms, they focus on complete healing, balance and stability.
Healthy Diet & Lifestyle Guidance: Changes in daily habits and food choices to improve your health and help you stay healthy for long.
If you are struggling with hearing loss, this can make your daily conversations, music, and important sounds harder to enjoy. But Ayurveda offers natural ways to support your ear health, hearing and symptoms such as ear pain or ringing. Ayurvedic medicine for hearing loss can be used regularly to control or prevent hearing problems.
Some of best Ayurvedic medicines for hearing loss are:
Amla is full of Vitamin C and antioxidants. It helps to repair damaged tissues, such as the delicate nerves of your ear. Amalaki Rasayana, a classical formulation made from Amalaki, helps in strengthening the whole sensory strength including hearing.
Haritaki is believed to clear blockages in your ear caused by toxins or excess wax. It balances your Vata dosha, which is associated with hearing problems, especially age-related or nerve-based hearing loss.
This adaptogenic herb is believed to reduce stress and strengthen your nerves. If you have a case of sensorineural hearing loss (nerves damaged by aging or a loud noise), Ashwagandha can repair and calm your nervous system. For such conditions, Ashwagandha Paka and Ashwagandha tablets are commonly used.
Jatamansi acts as a brain and nerve tonic. It improves coordination between the ear and the brain by improving the health of the auditory nerve. It can especially be helpful if hearing loss is due to mental fatigue or stress.
Shatavari supports nerve health and hormonal balance which are important for hearing. It's particularly useful for women who experience hearing difficulties because of hormonal changes.
Turmeric has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It reduces infection-related hearing problems and supports ear health when used with other herbs such as neem or sesame oil.
Guduchi is known to improve immunity. It helps with persistent ear infections and allergic ear conditions. It also helps in reducing the risk of long-term damage that may lead to hearing loss.
Yashtimadhu relieves inflammation in your ear canal and facilitates tissue repair. It can be used both internally (as a decoction) and externally (as ear drops).
Brahmi is believed to sharpen your memory and perception and strengthen your auditory nerves. It promotes mental clarity and can be helpful if you find it hard to focus on conversations in noisy environments.
Chitraka is a lesser known Ayurvedic herb that improves blood circulation and clears blockages. It can help with conductive hearing loss where sound does not travel through your outer or middle ear.
Cumin is commonly used in cooking, but it also has medicinal properties that help to reduce inflammation and improve your metabolism and circulation. It helps maintain good ear and nerve health.
Pippali assists in absorption of other herbs and improving your respiratory and auditory health. It is especially helpful if hearing problems are accompanied by sinus problems or congestion.
Other than the Ayurvedic medicine for hearing loss as mentioned before, there are also some herbal oils and home remedies that can be combined with these Ayurvedic medicines:
Ayurveda believes that hearing is associated with Vata dosha (air and space element), more specifically, Prana Vata, which is related to the head and senses, and Shrotra Vaha Srotas, the ear channels. Hearing loss treatment in Ayurveda includes:
Ayurvedic medications for deafness may also involve:
Diet and lifestyle may play a supportive role for maintaining overall health and potential support for hearing:
Is hearing loss permanent?
Not all hearing loss is permanent. Some can be treated and are reversible, like that caused by earwax blockage or infections.
Can exposure to noise lead to permanent hearing loss?
Yes, prolonged exposure to really loud noise can damage your delicate hair cells in your inner ear, causing permanent loss of hearing.
Is tinnitus an indicator of hearing loss?
Although tinnitus is usually associated with hearing loss, it sometimes indicates some other causes.
Can Ayurveda cure deafness completely?
Ayurveda can offer supporting therapies to deal with some kinds of hearing loss and keep the ears healthy, but it is very important to see an expert for a particular kind of therapy for instance, the audiologist/ENT specialist, and likewise, a certified Ayurveda specialist.
Do hearing aids help?
Hearing aids help many people with hearing loss to dramatically improve auditory perception
Can certain medicines cause loss of hearing?
Yes, some medicines known as ototoxic drugs damage hearing.
How can I protect my hearing?
Limit exposure to loud noise. Wear earplugs when in loud environments. Attend regular checkups for hearing.
Can stress impact hearing loss?
Stress can affect hearing and may not cause hearing loss, but it can add to tinnitus and some other ear-related symptoms. Techniques for managing stress are helpful.
Can Ayurvedic treatment for hearing loss help with age-related hearing problems?
Yes, hearing loss treatment in Ayurveda can be very helpful in managing age-related hearing issues. In Ayurveda, it is believed that hearing loss in old age is caused mainly by Vata imbalance. Natural herbs, oils, and special therapies are used to calm your Vata and support your ear health without side effects.
