Acupuncture Points for Deafness

8 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

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Points cited for Deafness

How often each point appears across the 17 entries ranked highest for Deafness. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • GB02Hearing ConvergenceGallbladder Meridian14 of 17
  • TB17HurricaneTriple Burner Meridian12 of 17
  • SI19Palace Of HearingSmall Intestine Meridian8 of 17
  • TB03Central IsletTriple Burner Meridian8 of 17
  • TB21Ear GateTriple Burner Meridian7 of 17
  • LI04Junction ValleyLarge Intestine Meridian5 of 17
  • LV03Great SurgeLiver Meridian5 of 17
  • TB05Outer GateTriple Burner Meridian5 of 17
  • GB20Wind PoolGallbladder Meridian4 of 17
  • GB43Narrow StreamGallbladder Meridian4 of 17
  • KD03Great StreamKidney Meridian4 of 17
  • GV20100 ConvergencesGoverning Vessel3 of 17

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (7 points)

100%

ST36 · ST40 · SP06 · KD03 · GB20 · LV03 · GV14

Point 1 of 7

ST36Leg Three Miles

ST36 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 足三里 (zú sān lǐ)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths below ST35, 1 finger breadth (middle finger) from anterior border of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in cases of severe varicose veins.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Fever, Poor Appetite, Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath

ST40Abundant Bulge

ST40 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 豐隆 (fēng lóng)

🎯 Location: 8 thumb widths superior to the tip of the external malleolus, lateral to the ST38 about 2 finger breadth (middle finger) lateral to the anterior border of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Shortness of Breath, Phlegm, Asthma

SP06Three Yin Intersection

SP06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 三陰交 (sān yīn jiāo)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths directly above the tip of the medial malleolus posterior to the medial border of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: Traditionally forbidden in pregnancy – these are the points used to bring on labour at term. Controlled data show no excess of preterm birth or stillbirth (Carr 2015), but in pregnancy needle only on a clear obstetric indication.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Palpitations, Abdominal Bloating

KD03Great Stream

KD03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Kidney Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 太谿 (tài xī)

🎯 Location: In the depression the between tip of the medial malleolus and achilles tendon.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Shortness of Breath, Heat Deficiency, Asthma

GB20Wind Pool

GB20 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 風池 (fēng chí)

🎯 Location: In the depression the between upper portion of the scm and trapezius on the same level with GV16.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with vertebral artery; avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Stress, Fever, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Wind

LV03Great Surge

LV03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Liver Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 太衝 (tài chōng)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the foot in the depression the distal to the junction of the 1st and 2nd metatarsal bones.

⚠️ Cautions: Monitor blood pressure and avoid strong stimulation where hypertension is uncontrolled or unstable; hypertensive crisis is a medical emergency.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Diarrhea, Anxiety, Shortness of Breath, Sweating

GV14Great Vertebra

GV14 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 大椎 (dà zhuī)

🎯 Location: Below spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra approximately at the level of the shoulders.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with C7 vertebra.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Shortness of Breath, Weakness, Heat, Chest Fullness

Study-reported

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60001-7 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. ST36, SP06, KD03, LV03 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1016/j.imr.2024.101087 ↗

Protocol (2 points)

100%

TB05 · GB02

Point 1 of 2

TB05Outer Gate

TB05 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Triple Burner Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 外關 (wài guān)

🎯 Location: 2 thumb widths proximal to the dorsal crease of the wrist on the line connecting TB04 and tip of the olecranon the between radius and ulna.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Sweating, Kidney Deficiency, Dizziness, Tinnitus

GB02Hearing Convergence

GB02 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 聽會 (tīng huì)

🎯 Location: Anterior to the intertragic notch at the posterior border of the condyloid process of the mandible; point is located with mouth open.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Tinnitus, Heat, Wind, Redness, Swelling

Study-reported

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1155/2012/268237 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. TB05, GB02 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1016/j.imr.2024.101087 ↗

Protocol (7 points)

100%

LI04 · SI19 · TB03 · TB17 · TB21 · GB02 · LV03

Point 1 of 7

LI04Junction Valley

LI04 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 合谷 (hé gǔ)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the hand between 1st & 2nd metacarpal bones approximately in the middle of the 2nd metacarpal bone on the radial side.

⚠️ Cautions: Traditionally forbidden in pregnancy – these are the points used to bring on labour at term. Controlled data show no excess of preterm birth or stillbirth (Carr 2015), but in pregnancy needle only on a clear obstetric indication.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Tinnitus, Release Exterior, Absent Periods, Wind

SI19Palace Of Hearing

SI19 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 聽宮 (tīng gōng)

🎯 Location: Anterior to the tragus and posterior to the condyloid process of the mandible in the depression the formed when mouth is open.

⚠️ Cautions: Needle with the mouth open, and avoid deep needling towards the tympanic membrane.

🛡️ Treats: Tinnitus, Deafness, Epilepsy, Voice Loss, Toothache

TB03Central Islet

TB03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Triple Burner Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 中渚 (zhōng zhǔ)

🎯 Location: When fist is clenched point is on the dorsum of the hand between 4th and 5th metacarpal bones in the depression the proximal to the 4th metacarpophalangeal joint.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Heat, Redness

TB17Hurricane

TB17 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Triple Burner Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 翳風 (yì fēng)

🎯 Location: Posterior to the lobule of the ear in the depression the between mandible and mastoid process.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution near facial nerve.

🛡️ Treats: Heat, Wind, Pain, Deviation Eye, Facial Droop

TB21Ear Gate

TB21 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Triple Burner Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 耳門 (ěr mén)

🎯 Location: In the depression the anterior to the supratragic notch and behind posterior border of the condyloid process of the mandible; point is located with mouth open.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with auricular cartilage.

🛡️ Treats: Tinnitus, Heat, Swelling, Deafness, Headache

GB02Hearing Convergence

GB02 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 聽會 (tīng huì)

🎯 Location: Anterior to the intertragic notch at the posterior border of the condyloid process of the mandible; point is located with mouth open.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Tinnitus, Heat, Wind, Redness, Swelling

LV03Great Surge

LV03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Liver Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 太衝 (tài chōng)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the foot in the depression the distal to the junction of the 1st and 2nd metatarsal bones.

⚠️ Cautions: Monitor blood pressure and avoid strong stimulation where hypertension is uncontrolled or unstable; hypertensive crisis is a medical emergency.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Diarrhea, Anxiety, Shortness of Breath, Sweating

Study-reported

Needling · 14 sessions over 2 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.3389/fneur.2025.1689472 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. SI19, TB03, TB17, TB21, GB02, LV03 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1016/j.imr.2024.101087 ↗

Protocol (7 points)

70%

BL23 · KD03 · TB03 · TB17 · GB02 · GB43 · GV04

Point 1 of 7

BL23Kidney Shu Point

BL23 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 腎俞 (shèn shū)

🎯 Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV04 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 2nd lumbar vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Diarrhea, Asthma, Tinnitus, Qi Deficiency

KD03Great Stream

KD03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Kidney Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 太谿 (tài xī)

🎯 Location: In the depression the between tip of the medial malleolus and achilles tendon.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Shortness of Breath, Heat Deficiency, Asthma

TB03Central Islet

TB03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Triple Burner Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 中渚 (zhōng zhǔ)

🎯 Location: When fist is clenched point is on the dorsum of the hand between 4th and 5th metacarpal bones in the depression the proximal to the 4th metacarpophalangeal joint.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Heat, Redness

TB17Hurricane

TB17 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Triple Burner Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 翳風 (yì fēng)

🎯 Location: Posterior to the lobule of the ear in the depression the between mandible and mastoid process.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution near facial nerve.

🛡️ Treats: Heat, Wind, Pain, Deviation Eye, Facial Droop

GB02Hearing Convergence

GB02 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 聽會 (tīng huì)

🎯 Location: Anterior to the intertragic notch at the posterior border of the condyloid process of the mandible; point is located with mouth open.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Tinnitus, Heat, Wind, Redness, Swelling

GB43Narrow Stream

GB43 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 俠谿 (xiá xī)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the foot between 4th and 5th toe proximal to the margin of the web at the junction of the red and white skin.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Chest Pain, Knee Pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Heat

GV04Life Gate

GV04 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 命門 (mìng mén)

🎯 Location: Below spinous process of the 2nd lumbar vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Anxiety, Kidney Deficiency, Dizziness, Tinnitus

Website

Point selection published on a website. Not peer-reviewed – check it before relying on it.

sacredlotus.com ↗
Substantiated by a study. KD03, TB03, TB17, GB02 also appear in a study-reported protocol for the same search. That study did not test this prescription. doi:10.2196/69163 ↗

Protocol (6 points)

70%

TB03 · TB17 · GB02 · GB41 · GB43 · LV02

Point 1 of 6

TB03Central Islet

TB03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Triple Burner Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 中渚 (zhōng zhǔ)

🎯 Location: When fist is clenched point is on the dorsum of the hand between 4th and 5th metacarpal bones in the depression the proximal to the 4th metacarpophalangeal joint.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Heat, Redness

TB17Hurricane

TB17 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Triple Burner Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 翳風 (yì fēng)

🎯 Location: Posterior to the lobule of the ear in the depression the between mandible and mastoid process.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution near facial nerve.

🛡️ Treats: Heat, Wind, Pain, Deviation Eye, Facial Droop

GB02Hearing Convergence

GB02 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 聽會 (tīng huì)

🎯 Location: Anterior to the intertragic notch at the posterior border of the condyloid process of the mandible; point is located with mouth open.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Tinnitus, Heat, Wind, Redness, Swelling

GB41Foot Governor Of Tears

GB41 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 足臨泣 (zú lín qì)

🎯 Location: Posterior to the 4th metatarsophalangeal joint in the depression the lateral to the tendon of the extensor digiti minimi of the foot.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Phlegm, Sweating, Kidney Deficiency, Dizziness

GB43Narrow Stream

GB43 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 俠谿 (xiá xī)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the foot between 4th and 5th toe proximal to the margin of the web at the junction of the red and white skin.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Chest Pain, Knee Pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Heat

LV02Passing Between

LV02 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Liver Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 行間 (xíng jiān)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the foot between 1st and 2nd toe proximal to the margin of the web at the junction of the red and white skin.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Chest Pain, Diarrhea, Anxiety, Dizziness, Coughing Blood

Website

Point selection published on a website. Not peer-reviewed – check it before relying on it.

sacredlotus.com ↗
Substantiated by a study. TB03, TB17, GB02 also appear in a study-reported protocol for the same search. That study did not test this prescription. doi:10.3389/fneur.2025.1689472 ↗

Protocol (8 points)

70%

LI04 · TB03 · TB05 · TB17 · GB02 · GB41 · GB43 · LV02

Point 1 of 8

LI04Junction Valley

LI04 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 合谷 (hé gǔ)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the hand between 1st & 2nd metacarpal bones approximately in the middle of the 2nd metacarpal bone on the radial side.

⚠️ Cautions: Traditionally forbidden in pregnancy – these are the points used to bring on labour at term. Controlled data show no excess of preterm birth or stillbirth (Carr 2015), but in pregnancy needle only on a clear obstetric indication.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Tinnitus, Release Exterior, Absent Periods, Wind

TB03Central Islet

TB03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Triple Burner Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 中渚 (zhōng zhǔ)

🎯 Location: When fist is clenched point is on the dorsum of the hand between 4th and 5th metacarpal bones in the depression the proximal to the 4th metacarpophalangeal joint.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Heat, Redness

TB05Outer Gate

TB05 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Triple Burner Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 外關 (wài guān)

🎯 Location: 2 thumb widths proximal to the dorsal crease of the wrist on the line connecting TB04 and tip of the olecranon the between radius and ulna.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Sweating, Kidney Deficiency, Dizziness, Tinnitus

TB17Hurricane

TB17 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Triple Burner Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 翳風 (yì fēng)

🎯 Location: Posterior to the lobule of the ear in the depression the between mandible and mastoid process.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution near facial nerve.

🛡️ Treats: Heat, Wind, Pain, Deviation Eye, Facial Droop

GB02Hearing Convergence

GB02 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 聽會 (tīng huì)

🎯 Location: Anterior to the intertragic notch at the posterior border of the condyloid process of the mandible; point is located with mouth open.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Tinnitus, Heat, Wind, Redness, Swelling

GB41Foot Governor Of Tears

GB41 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 足臨泣 (zú lín qì)

🎯 Location: Posterior to the 4th metatarsophalangeal joint in the depression the lateral to the tendon of the extensor digiti minimi of the foot.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Phlegm, Sweating, Kidney Deficiency, Dizziness

GB43Narrow Stream

GB43 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 俠谿 (xiá xī)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the foot between 4th and 5th toe proximal to the margin of the web at the junction of the red and white skin.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Chest Pain, Knee Pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Heat

LV02Passing Between

LV02 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Liver Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 行間 (xíng jiān)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the foot between 1st and 2nd toe proximal to the margin of the web at the junction of the red and white skin.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Chest Pain, Diarrhea, Anxiety, Dizziness, Coughing Blood

Website

Point selection published on a website. Not peer-reviewed – check it before relying on it.

sacredlotus.com ↗
Substantiated by a study. LI04, TB03, TB05, TB17, GB43 also appear in a study-reported protocol for the same search. That study did not test this prescription. doi:10.1016/j.imr.2024.101087 ↗
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How the studies delivered it

What the 9 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Needling4 of 9
  • Electroacupuncture3 of 9
  • Moxibustion1 of 9

Sessions: the 4 studies that gave a count ran a median of 16 (middle half 13 to 21).

Course: the 5 studies that gave a length ran a median of 3 weeks (middle half 2 weeks to 4 weeks).

After a treatment: what large safety surveys recorded, and which reactions need a doctor.

Disclaimer: The acupoint information provided is for educational purposes only.