Abstract

AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF SENSORINEURAL HEARING LOSS (BADHIRYA): A CASE STUDY

*Dr. Shrawan Kumar Sahu and Dr. Daya Shankar Singh

Abstract

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a type of hearing loss or deafness in which the root cause lies in the inner ear or sensory organ or the vestibulocochlear nerve. It accounts for about 90% of reported hearing loss. Till now there is no approved or recommended treatment for it, since it is a physiologic degradation and considered permanent. This case study is report worthy because it reflects the effectiveness of Ayurveda, an alternative therapy, the adoption of which brought about a drastic change in the hearing capacity of a 9 year old girl suffering from the typical symptoms of SNHL like trouble understanding speech, turning up the television to elevated levels, continually asking people to repeat themselves, feeling excessively tired at the end of the day etc. She was made to undergo both the Ayurvedic procedures and Ayurvedic medicaments. The names of the Ayurvedic procedures adopted are Ksheera Dhuma Nasya (administration of vapours of decoction of Ayurvedic medicines and milk through nasal route), Shiropichu (keeping medicated oil soaked cotton pad over crown of head and wrapping it up with a bandage cloth), Karnapooran (pouring of medicated oil into ears), Matravasti (Therapeutic enema) and those of orally given Ayurvedic herbomineral medicines are Divya Vatari Churna, Ekangveer Rasa, Mahavatavidhvansa Rasa, Brihat Vata Chintamani Rasa, Makaradhvaja Rasa, Rajat Bhasma, Sarivadi Vati and Vishatinduka Vati. The interventions resulted into a decrease of pure tone average from 90 dB to 52.5dB in right ear and from 87.5dB to 31.25dB in the left ear.

Keywords: Badhirya, Karnapooran, Ksheera Dhuma Nasya, Matravasti, Sensorineural hearing loss, Shiropichu.