Treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss with tinnitus with Fu subcutaneous needling: A case report.

Rationale: Fu's subcutaneous needling (FSN) is a special acupuncture method that uses FSN to sweep the subcutaneous tissue around or adjacent to the limbs to disperse the pain. Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) is a kind of otological emergency with sudden onset within 72 hours, with unilateral hearing loss, and hearing loss of ≥20 dB in 2 connected frequencies, and most of the patients have no obvious triggers. Most patients with SSHL are accompanied by tinnitus, vertigo, and nausea and vomiting.

Patient Concerns: The patient suffered from hearing loss with tinnitus. Although received relevant treatment, the hearing loss and tinnitus did not improve significantly.

Diagnoses: SSHL with tinnitus.

Interventions: FSN treatment. A point 5 cm lateral to the point of tension and stiffness of the left trapezius muscle was selected on the affected back as the needle insertion point, and the condition of the neck muscles was improved through the FSN sweeping movement with neck reperfusion activities. The patient received treatment twice a week, and 4 weeks of treatment as a phase. At the end of each phase, a pure tone threshold audiometry, tinnitus evaluation scale Tinnitus Handicap Inventory assessment, and neck muscle palpation were performed.

Outcomes: The patient's hearing improved and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory score decreased.

Lessons: FSN has a good therapeutic effect on SSHL with tinnitus.