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Pediatric cases of sudden deafness and diminished hearing are caused by wind-pathogen invading the Hand-Taiyang meridian. The pathogen follows the meridian into the ear, where it contends with healthy qi, causing stagnation and obstruction of qi mechanism, resulting in deafness and the inability to hear sounds clearly. In mild cases, this manifests as diminished hearing, characterized by a heavy and muffled sensation in the ears; slight and small sounds cannot be distinguished, while only loud sounds can be perceived.

Tongming San (Unblocking Acoustic Powder)
Indicated for wind-pathogen invading the ear, causing pediatric deafness.
Shichangpu (Rhizoma Acori Tatarinowii), one cun long with nine nodes is preferred, 1 liang; Yuanzhi (Radix Polygalae), boiled in Licorice decoction and heart removed, 1 liang; Chaihu (Radix Bupleuri), stems removed; Maimendong (Radix Ophiopogonis), heart removed; Fangfeng (Radix Saposhnikoviae), radix base and forked branches removed, 0.5 liang; Xixin (Radix Asari), stems removed; Tiantingli (Semen Lepidii seu Descurainiae), stir-fried; Cishi (Magnetitum), calcined ten times in vinegar and ground, 1 fen; Xingren (Semen Armeniacae Amarum), fourteen seeds, soaked in water, skin and pointed ends removed, double-kernel ones stir-fried until yellow.
Grind all ingredients into fine powder. Take half a qian per dose, mixed with decoction of scallion whites. Administer after milk or food intake, two to three times daily.

Wushe Tang (Asarum and Musk Decoction)
Indicated as above.
Dachuannu (Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata), one piece weighing over 2 qian; boil in lard until cracked, do not scrape off surface lumps, merely scrape off skin completely, mince finely, pound and sieve into powder; Tongcao (Medulla Tetrapanacis), 0.5 liang, sliced thinly, slices similar in shape, mixed evenly with thin rice paste, dried, pounded and sieved into powder.
Mix the above two powders with a small amount of Moschus (Musk) powder. Take 1 qian per dose with one small cup of water, add two leaves of Bohe (Folium Menthae) and one Jujube (Fructus Ziziphus Jujubae), boil for several boils, warm before administration; alternatively, mix with warm wine.

Changpu Wan (Acorus Pills)
Indicated as above. Use Shichangpu (Rhizoma Acori Tatarinowii) one cun, and Badou (Semen Crotonis) one seed (skin and heart removed). Pound the two together to form pills, divide into seven pills. Take one pill, wrap in cotton, insert into the ear canal, change once daily.

Another prescription: Take 1 fen of Shichangpu (Rhizoma Acori Tatarinowii) powder and 0.5 liang of Xingren (Semen Armeniacae Amarum) (soaked, skin and pointed ends removed, double-kernel ones). Pound together into a paste. Take an amount the size of a sesame seed per dose, wrap in cotton seed husk, insert into the ear canal, change once daily.

Bima Gao (Ricinus Ointment)
Indicated as above. Take ten Semen Ricini (Ricini Semen) (skinned) and seven pieces of Jujube pulp. Grind together into ointment. Apply an amount the size of a peach pit per dose, wrapped in cotton, inserted into the ear, change once daily.

Treatment for recent or chronic deafness: Wrap one Badou (Semen Crotonis) seed in wax, pierce through with a needle, and insert into the ear canal. Then catch a mouse, wrest it away, and use its gallbladder juice to drip into the affected ear. Alternatively, using only mouse gallbladder is also effective. Take one Earthworm (Pheretima), add a little salt, place both in a scallion tube, shake occasionally until liquefied, and use drops in the ear. Take one bowl of Rice Vinegar, drop a piece of iron the size of a marble, heat until red hot, then plunge into the vinegar. Position the affected ear over the vinegar to inhale the fumes; this is immediately effective. Can be cured within two to three days.

Another prescription: Roast Congbai (Bulbus Allii Cepae) in ash fire until cooked. Insert the white part of the scallion into the ear canal, change three times daily. Pound Mustard Seed (Semen Sinapis Albae) until broken down, mix with human milk, wrap in cotton, insert into the ear canal, change once daily. Mix the white powder from insects found in Jingzi (branches of Vitex negundo) with oil and drip into the ear; this also treats diminished hearing and recent deafness. Mix Donkey Fat (Cauda Equina Asini) with raw Sichuan Pepper (Pericarpium Zanthoxyli) and pound into pills, wrap in cotton, insert into the ear canal to treat chronic deafness. Simmer Fuzi (Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata) in pure vinegar over low heat until soft, shape into a point, and insert into the ear canal.