The worsening of hearing can differentiate these possible causes:

Wind-Cold attack

Wind-Cold attack obstructs the Shao Yang layer: Sudden deafness, with dizziness. Alternating sensation of heat and cold. Distress, vertigo. Improves at night and worsens in the morning. If Shao Yang is released, recovery follows. GV-14;TE-5; GB-41

Wind-Heat attack

• Wind-Heat attack: otitis.
• 2 and 3 SI, TE-5, GB-41, LI-4; and on the affected side TE-21; SI-19, GB-2

Kidney-Jing deficiency

• Typical in elderly people, chronic illness, exhaustion from overwork that first weakens the Qi and over time the Kidney Jing.
• Hearing loss is progressive, with lower back and knee pain, insomnia, dizziness, vertigo.
• It is a loss of hearing quality: the person hears when spoken to but cannot distinguish voices when several people speak at once, and cannot define the words. If it is at the beginning of the process, it is possible to help slow the deterioration.

Local points: TE-21; GB-2; SI-19. Also treat the Kidney and reduce Shao Yang Fire. See: Kidney-Jing deficiency