The ears in Traditional Chinese Medicine communicate with Kidney, which governs the sense of hearing. Furthermore, the ears are related to Shao Yang: the channels of Gall Bladder and Triple Burner.

At the level of diagnostic observation:

• An ear of strong constitution will be large in size, especially the lobes. It will have a pinkish color and a lively complexion.
• Pale ear: Cold pattern.
• Red ear: Heat pattern. It could also be a Cold pattern, in which the body is consuming Kidney-Jing to warm itself.
• Blackish, wrinkled ear with hair: advanced age.
• Wax blocking the ear: there is Fire, Heat. Also if there is pus.
• Otitis media, inflammation, pain: affected by Wind-stroke attacking the Shao Yang channels.
• Infantile otitis is usually Heat and Wind.