Ayurvedic Management of Sensory Neural Hearing Loss: A Case Report

Abstract

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL)is   known issue for children who suffer from bacterial meningitis, and it can result in lasting damage to their hearing and speech abilities.Traditional treatments are limited and mostly aimed at helping patients adapt to the condition. This case report focuses on a 7-year old boy who developed bilateral sensorineural hearing loss after suffering from Pneumococcal meningitis. His condition was further worsened by acute mastoiditis and Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, with the right side being more affected. He was advised to use a hearing aid, but the parents chose a different treatment approach. In Ayurveda, this condition is related to Badhirya.[Hearing loss] It occurs due to an imbalance in Vata and Kapha doshas, which affects the sense of hearing ,Shravanendriya [Ears], . The Ayurvedic treatment plan included internal medicines [Rajanyadi choornam one teaspoon with honey and ghee,Ashtachoornam one teaspoon with hotwater, Krimigna Vati one tablet each twice a day,kombanjadi Gulika one tablet each twice a day ,Gopi chandanadi Gulika one tablet each twice a day ,Rasna dasamoola ghritham one teaspoon twice a day ,Aswagandha choornam and  Swetha sankupushpi choornam  half  teaspoon  each with milk]and external treatments for 21 days, with follow-ups every three months. After three treatment cycles, the results of the Pure Tone Average (PTA) showed improvement in both ears. In the right ear, the PTA improved from 117 dBHL to 106.6 dBHL, and in the left ear, it improved from 120 dBHL to 68.3 dBHL. The right ear was affected by Acute mastoiditis and Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. This case shows the possible role of Ayurveda as a complementary treatment for Post-meningitic sensorineural hearing loss. Clinically, there was noted improvement in the left ear, along with a slight improvement in the right ear.