Hearing Loss In Children And Its Treatment In Ayurveda

Abstract

Words of wisdom or love, the enduring murmur of trees and winds, the warning boom of a car’s horn; all these are informed by our hearing sense which connects us to the world in progress. Such activities such as the objects rubbing against each other, striking here and there, air troubled by vocal cords; all these are only possible to experience by a hearing sense. So if someone’s hearing sense is not working properly he or she will be away from experiencing all such types of things. So whenever you come to know your child has hearing loss you must check with a doctor on an early basis. In today’s article we are going to discuss all about hearing loss in children and how it affects the child’s development along with its Ayurvedic management.

Hearing Loss In Children, Causes of Hearing Loss

Introduction

Hearing loss occurs at any age but if it develops in infants and toddlers then it is of more concern as it leads to developmental changes. If this condition is not recognised in early stages then it affects in understanding language and to speak. If your child is recognised with hearing loss then immediate attention is needed to avoid such developmental things like speech. The hearing loss may be congenital or acquired, acquired one includes various causes that we will discuss in the further article.

Some Facts About Hearing Loss

Following are some facts about hearing loss:

  • One out of two cases of hearing loss in children is genetic
  • One out of four children has hearing loss due to maternal infections
  • Noise is one of the leading causes
  • It may related to other diseases
  • Some medications may also cause hearing loss

Causes Of Hearing Loss In Children

  • Bulk of children experience modest hearing loss when the fluid accumulated in the middle ear by cold, congestion or any ear infection. This type of hearing loss is temporary and the normal hearing sense returns after the congestion and other causes get relieved.
  • In 1 out of 10 children, this fluid stays in the middle ear after an ear infection when there is a problem in the eustachian tube, the children experience delayed hearing due to this.
  • Less common is permanent hearing loss in which impairment is permanent and it leads to developmental and speech difficulties. It varies from partial to complete.

Types Of Hearing Loss

Following are the types of hearing loss:

  1. Conductive hearing loss: When the child is suffering from conductive hearing loss this occurs due to abnormal structure of the middle ear or outer ear canal. The other reason is a large amount of wax clogging in the ear canal. And one other reason is fluid accumulation in the middle ear which disrupts the transfer of sound.
  2. Sensorineural hearing loss: This type of hearing loss is also known as nerve deafness as it is caused by abnormality in the nerve of the inner ear which carries sound messages to the brain from the inner ear. This kind of impairment is congenital or may occur at any time.
  3. Mixed hearing loss: This type of hearing loss includes both Conductive and sensorineural type of hearing loss.

Signs Of Hearing Loss In Children To Be Watched

Following are the signs which the parents must notice in their children:

  • A child is not alarmed at loud noise since 1 month
  • Infant not turn around by listening sound at the age of 3 or 4 months
  • Child is unable to notice you while not see you
  • Speech is delayed
  • Hard to understand speech
  • When a child is unable to speak a single word such as mama, dada, baba, etc by the age of 12-15 months.
  • Unable to speak 5 to 10 words by the age of 18 months
  • Able to hear high pitch sound but not the low pitch sounds
  • All the developmental factors such as walking, talking, sitting properly are impaired.

So if you are noticing these things in your child then it is a must to visit a paediatrician as early as possible to manage it timely.

Diagnosis Of Hearing Loss

When you take your child to the paediatrician he may ask you the past history or medical history. He asks questions from the above mentioned signs and if he depicts that it is hearing loss then refers your child for a few examinations. It is done by electrodiagnostic testing in neonates and clinical examination along with tympanometry in children is quite helpful to diagnose hearing loss.

Ayurvedic View Of Hearing Loss

Ayurveda is a 3000 years older holistic science which is working since then for promotive and preventive purposes. As per this ancient science hearing loss is correlated to Badhirya. In this case vitiated vata and vitiated kapha dosha cause obstruction in shabd vaha srotas or shabd vaha sira (auditory canal or auditory vessels); lead to hearing loss which is termed as bhadhirya. The vataj bhadirya is correlated to sensorineural deafness, kaphaj bhadhirya is correlated to conductive deafness and vata kaphaj one is correlated to mixed one. So to alleviate hearing loss, as per Ayurveda the management will be by pacifying avta and kapha dosha.

Herbal Remedies By Planet Ayurveda For Hearing Loss In Children

Planet Ayurveda is an Ayurvedic product company whose products are certified with ISO and GMP certification. The formulations are prepared under the guidance of M.D. Ayurveda practitioners and free from added preservatives and synthetic materials. The supplements are made with reference to the aim of Ayurveda that is to prevent the health of the healthy and to promote the health of the diseased person. For the management of Hearing loss in children Planet Ayurveda provides the following herbal and herbomineral remedies. Let’s have a look!!!!

Products List

  1. ASHWAGANDHAGHAN VATI
  2. BRAHMI CHYAWANPRASH
  3. BRAHMI VATI
  4. KUMAR KALYAN RAS
  5. ARVINDASAV
Hearing Loss In Children, Causes of Hearing Loss

Products Description

1. ASHWAGANDHAGHAN VATI

Ashwagandhaghan vati is a classical Ayurvedic formulation which has been used since ancient times for vata pacifying effect. This formulation is made up with the major ingredient Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). These tablets assist in the vataj kind of bhadhirya which means it assists the management of sensorineural deafness. Ashwagandhaghan vati works in this type of deafness by promoting the functioning of the nerve of the inner ear.

Dosage: 1 tablet twice daily with plain water after meals.

2. BRAHMI CHYAWANPRASH

Brahmi Chyawanprash is a classical ayurvedic formulation prepared by Planet Ayurveda as mentioned in classical texts. This remedy is available in lehya (jam) form and consists of ingredients such as Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), vasaka (Justicia adhatoda) and various others. This remedy is very effective in promoting hearing sense by pacifying vata dosha. Brahmi Chyawanprash assists in promoting the development of the child too.

Dosage: ½ tsp twice daily with plain water after meals.

3. BRAHMI VATI

Brahmi vati is a tablet formulation prepared by Planet Ayurveda as mentioned in classical Ayurvedic texts. These tablets consist of ingredients such as brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis), maricha (Piper nigrum) and various others. This formulation is very best for maintaining nervous system health. By maintaining nervous system health it improves the functioning of the inner ear nerve and alleviates the healing loss.

Dosage: 1 tablet twice daily with plain water after meals.

4. KUMAR KALYAN RAS

Kumar Kalyan Ras is one of the best Ayurvedic remedies for children. This remedy is prepared by Planet Ayurveda as per the advice of M.D Ayurveda practitioners. The remedy is in tablet form and consists of ingredients such as kumari (Aloe barbadensis), mukta bhasma (Calyx of pearl), loha bhasma (calyx of iron), makshik bhasma (Calyx of copper and iron pyrite) and various others. This medicine has been used since ancient times for pediatric patients whose milestones are delayed. So we can give this remedy in hearing loss for enhancing the developmental aids.

Dosage: 1 tablet twice daily with plain water after meals.

5. ARVINDASAV

Arvindasav is one of the best remedies in Ayurvedic classics for maintaining child health. This remedy is available in syrup form and consists of ingredients such as kamal phool (Nelumbium speciosum), manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), choti elaichi (Elettaria cardamomum) and various others. This remedy is considered as best for fighting infections and boosting immunity in the childhood age. So adding this remedy in the management will help in boosting the management.

Dosage: 2 tsp twice daily with plain water after meals.

Conclusion

Hearing loss occurs at any age but if it develops in infants and toddlers then it is of more concern as it leads to developmental changes. The causes of hearing loss includes fluid accumulation in the middle ear, fluid resistance in the middle ear, deformity in the structure of middle ear, obstruction in the outer canal by wax and congenital causes. Symptoms include delayed speech, difficulty while understanding speech and other developmental problems. As per Ayurveda this condition is correlated to bhadhirya and mainly involves vata and kapha dosha vitiation. To manage this condition Planet Ayurveda provides with various remedies to alleviate vata and kapha dosha and to promote the development of children.