Acupuncture-related therapy may aid sudden hearing loss via central mechanismsAcupuncture may help sudden hearing loss, review suggests

This narrative review explores the central mechanisms by which acupuncture-related therapy might benefit patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). The authors synthesize preliminary evidence suggesting that such therapy may promote hearing recovery and alleviate associated symptoms through multiple target pathways. However, no pooled effect sizes are reported, and the evidence is described as preliminary.

The proposed central mechanisms include modulation of functional connectivity in the temporal auditory cortex, regulation of limbic–subcortical emotional pathways, and enhancement of neurovascular coupling. These mechanisms are hypothesized to contribute to auditory pathway plasticity, activation of the emotional regulation network, and functional integration of neurovascular units.

The review acknowledges significant limitations, noting that further rigorous studies are needed to confirm these mechanistic links. The certainty of the evidence is low, and the authors caution against overstating the effects on hearing recovery or symptom alleviation.

For clinicians, the review provides a theoretical basis for understanding the potential roles of acupuncture-related treatment in SSNHL, but it does not offer definitive clinical guidance. Given the lack of rigorous studies, acupuncture-related therapy should be considered as an adjunct or experimental option, not a standard replacement for evidence-based treatments.