Database: Study 19 of 41 studies
     |
| Database |
| The inner ear – deafness and hyperacusis - EA |
| First author and date | Yarnell S 1974 |
| Version consulted | C |
| Condition | neurosensory deafness (bilateral) |
| Study type | case series |
| N / Groupings | 38 (contralateral ear as control) [37 completed, 1 quit as felt hearing deteriorating (after 7 sessions), another quit after 1 session and not included in analysis] |
| Type of acupuncture | EA |
| Points used | unilateral superior, mid and inferior tragus (SI-19, SJ-21, GB-2), ipsilateral LI-4 |
| Parameters used | 8-10 Hz 2.5 V 0.5 msec (needles 1-3 cm deep) [6.27] |
| Stimulation duration | no details |
| Number of sessions | 10 (2 5-day courses, with 2 day interval) |
| Follow up | 4 mths |
| Endpoint measure | clinical audiometry, with pure tone air and bone conduction thresholds and speech discrimination scores for both ears; >10 dB increase in speech frequency averages (SFA) and >10% increase in speech discrimination considered an improvement |
| Outcome | 35 received 10 sessions, with no significant measurable increase in hearing (speech frequency averages and speech discrimination); no meaningful improvement in post-EA audiometrics of 6 pnts selected for additional sessions; 1 pnt showed 16% increase in speech discrimination in treated ear, 12% in untreated, another a 14% decrease in treated and 12% decrease in untreated ear; a 3rd showed 12 dB increase in SFA of treated ear, 12 dB decrease in untreated; 19 (50%) felt hearing improved immediately after sessions, 18 (48%) experienced no change and 1 (2%) a decrease; in follow up questionnaire (98% response), 28 (76%) felt no change, 8 (24%) still maintained subjective improvement |
| Additional notes | pnt who felt hearing deteriorated during EA showed no change in post-EA audiogram and was lost to follow up |
| Analysis / problems | authors discount bilateral effects as not significant, even if greater than testing error |
| References | Yarnell SK, Waylonis GW, Rink TL Acupuncture and neurosensory deafness. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 1974 April; 55(12): 595 |
| Secondary references | - |
| Data entry code | DM |
|
|