Article by Dr. Raghuram YS MD(AYU) and Dr. Manasa S, BAMS
Presbycusis, also known as ‘age-related hearing loss’, is one of the most common sensory changes associated with aging. It is also called ‘old hearing’ or ‘elderly hearing’. When not treated promptly, it can significantly affect communication and social interaction. This will also have a negative impact on the overall quality of life.
Hearing loss is one of the most prevalent health problems and the most common physical change that occurs in people as they age. It develops slowly over time. Presbycusis is classified as a sensorineural hearing loss. It is the effect of age-related damage occurring within the inner ear or auditory pathways and affects the same.
Epidemiological data suggest that approximately one in three adults aged 65 to 74 experiences some degree of hearing loss. Nearly half of people over the age of 75 have difficulty hearing.
You may find that people suffering from presbycusis face difficulty in understanding conversations, especially in noisy environments. You may frequently see them increasing the volume of television, mobile phones or other devices.
There is no definite cure for presbycusis. But, timely evaluation and proper use of hearing aids and assistive technologies has shown considerable improvement in auditory function and daily communication.
Related Reading – ‘Presbycusis – Meaning, Causes, Symptoms, Prognosis, Treatment’
Ayurvedic understanding of presbycusis
Presbycusis – a hearing disorder Presbycusis is a disease of old age. Old age is that stage of life in which Vata predominates. Towards old age, metal decay i.e. depletion and progressive damage of tissues and body structures is common. When metal decays, vata definitely increases. This increased vata causes many health problems in old age and presbycusis is one such disease.
We can understand from the basic principles of Ayurveda that presbycusis not only occurs in the Vata phase of one’s life, but the disease itself is caused by Vata. Vata dominates the clinical picture of presbycusis. The symptoms, complications and prognosis of the disease can be attributed to the progressive aggravation of Vata in old age.
Presbycusis is a disease that affects the vata-dominant sense organ and its functions. – The auditory sense i.e. the sense sense of sound is one of the main places of Vata. So, Vata is always present in the ears and is involved in the physiology of hearing and auditory perception. Vata is composed of the elements Vayu (air) and Aakash (space, ether). Therefore, the same elements predominate in the ear also. It is the balance of Vayu and Akash Bhuta in the ear that is responsible for the smooth conduction of sound waves and auditory perception. The balance of Vata in the ears helps in hearing, understanding, comprehension of sounds, speech, words and voices. It forms the foundation of effective communication. When Vata is put into a state of imbalance with the aging process, all of these functions will become disrupted and symptoms of presbycusis will appear.
deafness
The condition called Badhirya as mentioned in Ayurveda gives us a general picture of all types of deafness, loss of hearing ability or semi or complete loss of perception and sensation of hearing. This is a broad term that would include all types of deafness.
Since presbycusis is age-related hearing loss, it can be considered congenital deafnessHowever, such a condition is not named or described in Ayurvedic texts.
The main pathophysiological event of degeneration of hair cells and nerve endings in the inner ear, as occurs in presbycusis, can be considered to be damage to the Shabdavaha source (auditory channel and associated structures involved in the perception of sound) and Sharvanendriya (sense of hearing) due to the increase of Vata.
sensory pollution disorder
Presbycusis can be classified under Indriya Pradosha Disorder, in which the senses and their functioning suffer from aggravated doshas, the condition being primarily caused by Vata.
Causes of presbycusis according to Ayurveda
Vata enhancing foods and activities.
Dhatu decay – age-related destruction and damage of tissues leading to aggravation of vata or depletion of tissue due to age-related aggravation of vata.
Asatmya Shravan Indriyartha Sannikarsha – Excessive, lack or distorted exposure/exposure of the sense of hearing (sound) to different types of sounds.
Prajnaparadha – Repeatedly engaging in conscious mistakes despite knowing that they are harmful to the sense of hearing. Example – Many of us know that being exposed to high intensity sounds for a long time or constantly exposing the ears to sounds – like always plugging ears or headphones for work or entertainment (always listening to music) will damage the auditory system in the long run. Yet we keep doing it habitually or obsessively.
All other factors that contribute to hearing loss are etiological factors for presbycusis.
Pathogenesis of deafness.
Badhirya or deafness occurs when Vata alone or in combination with Kapha blocks the path of sound. (Honorable.57/3)
Ayurveda Treatment Principles of Presbycusis
Nidanavriyaan – Avoidance of causative factors that cause Vata aggravation or deafness. One should use one’s senses, ears wisely in this context, avoiding extremes of exposure (asatmya indriyartha sannikarsha).
Balancing Vata – Treatment of presbycusis mainly focuses on Vata balancing medications and foods and lifestyle and habit modifications.
external treatment
Karna Purana and Karna Abhyanga – Filling oil in the ears balances Vata in the ears, controls the symptoms and prevents the disease from progressing. It is important that Karna Purana should be started as a preventive measure when the person enters the last decades of life or above the age of 45-50 years or when the initial symptoms of presbycusis appear. Disease awareness and prompt reporting will help prevent irreversible damage. It also reduces hearing loss and tinnitus. Kshirbala oil, Bilva oil or Til oil is generally used for Karnapuran. Doing Karna Abhyanga with the same medicated oils will also help. The combined effect will contribute to the protection and preservation of the sense of hearing, improve blood circulation, balance Vata and reduce nerve degeneration.
internal treatment
Nasya – Nasal instillation is the best remedy for all diseases affecting the ears, nose, throat and head, as well as in presbycusis. Kshirbala oil, Anutel, Shadbindu oil and Mahamasha oil are useful.
Virechana and Vasti – Medical purgatives and enemas may be given to deal with and balance the aggravation of Vata/Vata-Pitta. When these treatments are efficiently administered the gross and subtle intensities of Vata will be addressed.
Daily affection – To deal with the increase of Vata in old age, a small amount of medicated ghee or oil should be consumed daily. Regular consumption of Sneha in food will incorporate healthy habits in old age. Similarly, regular/periodic massage of body and head should be done with medicated oils in the form of Abhyanga, Avagah, Dhara (Parisheka). Murdani Taila – Oil therapy on the head will also help deal with stress and give good sleep.
Chemicals – help prevent tissue damage and destruction and will rebuild them. Rasayan are the best preventive medicines and are also disease modifying in nature. In this situation, Ashwagandha Rasayan, Amalaki Rasayan, Chyawanprash Rasayan, Brahma Rasayan and Agastya Rasayan are the best options.
Yoga and Meditation – Yoga exercises done under expert guidance will help in improving the overall health and health of the senses. Nadi Shodhana Pranayam and Shavasana are extremely beneficial. Meditation not only calms the mind but also keeps the doshas in a state of balance. Bhramari Pranayama, Viparita Karani, Adho Mukha Svanasana, Matsyasana, Shoonya Mudra, Balasana, Paschimottanasana, Uttanasana and Karna Pidasana are the best asanas to practice in presbycusis.
Deafness Treatment – Presbycusis will be treated on the lines of treatment of deafness, following the principles laid down in it.
Important Ayurvedic Formulations for Presbycusis
– Triphala Kashaya
– Pathyakshadhatryadi Kashayam
– Dashmool Kashayam
– Maharasnadi Kashayam
– Triphala Ghee
– Saraswatha Ghee
– kalyanak ghee
– Dashmularishta
– Saraswatarishta
– Ashwagandharishta
– Chyavanprash Rasayanam
– Brahma Rasayanam
– Agastya Rasayanam
– Ashwagandha Rasayanam
– sariwadi vati
– vilvadi tailam
– Anu Tela
– Ksheerabla Taila 101
