Tinnitus

耳鳴 / 耳鸣

Ringing, buzzing, or other sounds perceived in the ears.

Quick Facts

Health Topic	Head & Facial Care
Also Known As	Ringing in the ears, Ear ringing, Buzzing ears, Noise in the ears, Ear noise
Common Symptoms	Perceived sound in one or both ears without an external source, such as ringing, buzzing or humming. It may be constant or intermittent, louder in quiet environments, and can come with hearing changes, dizziness or a sense of pressure in the ear.
Related TCM Patterns	Kidney Yin Deficiency · Liver Fire · Qi Deficiency
Related Classical Formulas	Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin · Qi Ju Di Huang Wan · Liu Wei Di Huang Wan · Zuo Ci Wan · Yi Qi Cong Ming Tang

Tinnitus in Traditional Chinese Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, tinnitus may be associated with Kidney Yin deficiency or Liver Fire. Differentiation looks at whether the sound is low and with lumbar soreness, or loud and with irritability and a bitter taste, and whether the onset is gradual or acute. Classical formulas are matched to these pattern features rather than to ear noise alone. Accompanying signs such as tongue appearance, pulse quality and the presence of heat or cold help distinguish one presentation from another.

TCM Patterns Associated With Tinnitus

The same presentation may be understood through more than one pattern. Pattern differentiation weighs the accompanying signs, not the symptom on its own.

Pattern	Common Features	Related Formulas
Kidney Yin Deficiency腎陰虛證Deficiency Patterns	Soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, tinnitus or dizziness, night sweats, warm palms and soles, and dry mouth or throat that is worse at night. Sleep may be light, and the person often prefers cool drinks. The frame may be thinner. Tongue red with little coating; pulse thin and rapid.	Qi Ju Di Huang Wan Liu Wei Di Huang Wan Zuo Ci Wan
Liver Fire肝火證Heat Patterns	Irritability, a bitter taste in the mouth, redness of the eyes or face, and distending headache or rib-side discomfort. Sleep may be restless with vivid dreams, and the person often prefers cool drinks. Constipation or dark urine can appear when heat is stronger. Tongue red with a yellow coating; pulse wiry and rapid.	Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin
Qi Deficiency氣虛證Deficiency Patterns	Easy fatigue, shortness of breath on mild effort, a soft or low voice, and spontaneous sweating with light activity. The complexion is often pale, and recovery after exertion is slow. There may be a tendency to catch external pathogens more easily. Tongue pale with a thin white coating; pulse weak or empty.	Yi Qi Cong Ming Tang