Expert: Heather Vandeburg L.Ac M.S.O.M. dipl.Ac - 5/19/2008

Question
QUESTION: Greeting!  I've a friend, age 45 male, who suffered sudden loss of hearing last year but was not treated on time.  Henceforth, he lost his hearing to his left ear for the past year & could hear static noises on his left ear instead (his right ear is alright).  He has tried many western doctors but was told that it's not likely to recover.  I wonder if the TCM or even acupuncture can help.  I've found some China Chinese doctors who claimed that his condition can be cured after taking some Chinese herds for 1-3 months.  Can these be trusted?  Please advice, thanks!

ANSWER: Hi Pei,
Hearing loss can be treated with Traditional Chinese Medicine which includes Acupuncture and Chinese herbals.  It can be very effective.  Hearing loss is one of the more difficult conditions to treat, but it can be done.  It will take some time.  Make sure that whoever is seen has a lot of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) experience.

Good Luck,
Heather Vandeburg LAc MSOM DipLac

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi, Heather!  Thanks for your information!  It sure sound a good news.  Do you know where can we get such help or what are the Chinese Herbs to get?  Can the doctors in China be trusted for that matter?  We're in Korea for a period but should be in Asia till the end of the year.  Do you know of any trustworthy TCM clinic or hospital to recommend?  Hope to hear from you soon, thanks!

Answer
Hi Pei,
There are great practitioners in Korea as well as China.  I worked in a hospital in Guang Zhou.  China is a really big place.  My only concern is clean needle technique.  Make sure where ever you go that you buy new disposable needles. And hand washing is not a high priority for most TCM doctors.  So Make sure you ask (without offending of course). The herbs will depend on the patients TCM pattern. Which I could not diagnose with out seeing the patient. You are in a great place to get wonderful care.  Good luck.  Look for a doctor that is a DOM (doctor of Oriental Medicine).


Warm Regards,
Heather Vandeburg LAc MSOM DipLAc