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The ear is governed by the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian (Ling Shu states: "The ear is the external orifice of the Kidney." It also states: "If the ears are dry, withered, and covered with dust, the disease lies in the bones." Zhong Zang Jing states: "The Kidney is the residence of spirit and the root of life, externally connected to the ear." Su Wen states: "The Kidney corresponds to the ear among the orifices. When Kidney Qi is harmonious, the ear can hear the five tones." It further states: "The Kidney governs external perception, enabling distant hearing; by observing the condition of the ears, one can discern the nature of the Kidney. Therefore, if the ears are well-positioned, with the anterior part located near the Jiache acupoint, the Kidney is upright. Note: Jiache is an acupoint located in the depression at the end of the jaw below the ear. If the ears are positioned high, the Kidney is tilted; if the ears are high, the Kidney is high; if the area behind the ears is depressed, the Kidney is low; if the ears are firm, the Kidney is firm; if the ears are thin and not firm, the Kidney is fragile." Xuan Zhu states: "If the ears are thin and black or white, it indicates the failure of Kidney Qi." Luo Qianfu states: "Sudden deafness occurs due to deficiency of Kidney Qi, allowing Wind pathogen to invade and bind within the meridians, ascending along the blood vessels into the ear. The struggle between righteous and pathogenic Qi causes sudden deafness. For Kidney deficiency with Cold, Rou Cong Rong Wan (Cistanche Pill) and Shao Shen San (Burnt Kidney Powder) are appropriate; for Kidney deficiency with Heat, Ben Shi Di Huang Wan (Capability Rehmannia Pill) is appropriate). It is also governed by the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian and the Jueyin Pericardium Meridian (Su Wen states: "The southern color red enters internally to connect with the Heart, opening its orifice in the ear." Ling Shu states: "The regular Qi of the Hand-Jueyin Pericardium follows the throat to emerge behind the ear, combining with Shaoyang." Zhao Yi-de states: "The Heart corresponds to the tongue among the orifices; since the tongue is not a true orifice, it borrows its orifice function from the ear. The Kidney governs internal Yin; the Heart governs external Yang. I observe that the meridians of the Hand-Jueyin Pericardium and Hand-Sanjiao all carry Heart Qi. Since the Sanjiao meridian enters the ear, the orifice of the Heart connects to the ear. Any symptoms of swelling and pain in the ear should be treated by clearing Heart Fire. This is what is meant by treating the Yang)." It is also governed by the Hand-Sanjiao Triple Energizer Meridian (Ling Shu states: "The meridian of the Hand-Sanjiao ascends the neck, connects behind the ear, and emerges directly above the upper angle of the ear. Its branch enters the ear from behind, emerging anterior to the ear. Pathological changes cause deafness with muffled sounds. It also states: "When Blood and Qi are abundant in the upper part of the Hand-Sanjiao, the ear has a beautiful color; when both are deficient, the ears become dry and foul-smelling." Su Wen states: "The arterial pulse anterior to the ear, representing the Upper Human position, is used to assess the Qi of the eyes and ears. Note: Located in the depression anterior to the ear, pulsating under the hand, this is where the Qi of the Hand-Sanjiao meridian flows." It also states: "A solitary whistle of One Yang indicates Shaoyuan Jue (Shaoyang reversal); the terminal stage involves deafness. Note: 'Whistle' refers to tinnitus sounding like a whistle. Since both the Gallbladder and Sanjiao meridians enter the ear, upward rebellion of Qi causes tinnitus)." It is also governed by the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian (Ling Shu states: "The branch of the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder meridian enters the ear from behind, emerging anterior to the ear." It also states: "The root of the Foot-Shaoyang is between the Qiaoyin acupoints, and its biao (mark) is anterior to the Chuanglong acupoint. Chuanglong refers to the ear." Su Wen states: "In Shanghan (Cold Damage) on the third day, when Shaoyang is affected, there is hypochondriac pain and deafness; on the ninth day, as Shaoyang disease declines, deafness improves slightly." Li Dongyuan states: "The Shaoyang meridian runs obliquely around the front and back of the ear. I consider this sentence to corroborate the preceding text)." It is additionally associated with the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian (Ling Shu states: "When pathogen affects the Liver, there is pain in the middle of both hypochondria, frequent pulling sensations during movement, and occasional leg swelling. Treat by selecting the blue veins in the ear to relieve the pulling sensation." Su Wen states: "Liver Qi rebellion causes headache and deafness with poor hearing." Zhu Danxi states: "Deafness belongs to Heat patterns; Shaoyang and Jueyin patterns often involve excessive Heat. Treatment should focus on resolving phlegm and dispersing Wind-Heat, using formulas such as Feng Zheng Tong Sheng San (Wind-Regulating Universal Benefit Powder) or Gun Tan Wan (Rolling Phlegm Pill)." Luo Qianfu states: "There are three types of Qi-rebellion deafness, involving the Liver, Sanjiao, and Small Intestine. Treatment should use Si Wu Tang (Four Substances Decoction), swallowed with Long Dan Xie Gan Wan (Gentian Liver-Draining Pill) to descend Fire, and Fu Yuan Tong Qi San (Restoring Origin Qi-Regulating Powder) to regulate Qi." Xu Peiyuan states: "Generally, deafness with ear pain belongs to Shaoyang Heat and is easy to treat. However, deafness accompanied by tongue retraction and cyanotic lips belongs to Jueyin and is difficult to treat)." It is also associated with the Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian and Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian (Ling Shu states: "The meridian of the Hand-Taiyang follows the neck, moves anterior to the Taiyang meridian, and knots at the Wanggu acupoint behind the ear. Its branch enters the ear; the straight portion emerges above the ear and descends to knot at the mandible. Diseases include tinnitus and pain in the ear." It also states: "At the point corresponding to the curved cheek of the Hand-Taiyang, diseases include deafness and yellow eyes." It also states: "The branch of the Foot-Taiyang meridian goes from the vertex to the upper angle of the ear." Su Wen states: "Tinnitus attributed to the Taiyang meridian occurs because Yang Qi, like flourishing things, surges upward, causing tinnitus)." It is also associated with the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian and Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian (Ling Shu states: "For deafness without pain, select the Foot-Shaoyang meridian; for deafness with pain, select the Hand-Yangming meridian." It also states: "The Yangming meridian roots at the Lidui acupoint and knots at the Sangda acupoint. Sangda refers to the Qian'er acupoint." It also states: "The ear is the gathering place of numerous meridians. If the Stomach is empty, the Zong Mai (Grand Vessels) become deficient; deficiency leads to downward flow. When vessel Qi is exhausted, tinnitus results. Tonify the Kerenren acupoint." Su Wen states: "Headache, deafness, and dysfunction of the nine orifices arise from the stomach and intestines." It also states: "When pathogen invades the meridian of the Hand-Yangming, it causes deafness and intermittent inability to hear sounds)." It is also the convergence of the Five Collaterals of the Hand-Shaoyin, Hand-Taiyin, and Foot-Yangming meridians (Su Wen states: "The five collaterals of the Hand-Shaoyin, Hand-Taiyin, and Foot-Yangming meridians all converge in the ear and ascend to connect with the left corner. If all five collaterals are exhausted, the body's pulses move while the form loses consciousness, resembling a corpse; this is called Shi Jue (Corpse Reversal). Needle the medial side of the big toe, then the center of the foot, then the middle toe, then the medial side of the big finger, then the sharp bone end of the Hand-Jueyin Pericardium and Hand-Shaoyin Heart meridians, one needle each, and recovery will be immediate. If not recovered, blow air into both ears using a bamboo tube, shave a square inch of hair from the left corner of the head, burn it to ash, and drink it with a cup of fine wine. If unable to drink, force-feed it, and recovery will be immediate." Wang Qixuan states: "The collateral of the Lung-Taiyin meridian converges in the ear. Lung deficiency causes shortness of breath and inability to complete inhalation, leading to deafness)."