A Single Arm Clinical Study to evaluate the efficacy of Narayana Taila Matra Basti and Musali-Bakuci Churna along with Urdhwajatrugata Abhyanga in the management of Badhirya (Sensori-Neural Hearing Loss)”

In Sense organs are essential for human life, allowing us to perceive and interact with our surroundings. Any disruption in their function can lead to significant challenges. Hearing impairment is one of the most common sensory disabilities, affecting millions of people worldwide. It can hinder the ability to perceive speech, leading to communication difficulties, delayed language development, social isolation, stigmatization, and disadvantages in both education and employment. Ayurveda, the term ‘Badha’ means obstruction, and ‘Badhirya’ refers to the condition that obstructs hearing. Acharya Sushruta classified Badhirya as one of the 28 Karnarogas (ear diseases). He explained that when the Vata and Kapha doshas become vitiated and accumulate in the Siras, they affect the Shabdanuvaha Siras (auditory nerve) in the Shrotrendriya (organ of hearing). This leads to Srotorodha (blockage of the auditory channels), and if left untreated, results in Badhirya . Similarly, Acharya Vagbhata described Badhirya as being caused by vitiated Vayu along with Kapha, particularly when early signs like Karnanada (ringing in the ears) are ignored . Hearing impairment is defined as the partial or complete loss of hearing in one or both ears. Its clinical symptoms closely align with the condition known as Badhirya in Ayurveda and may be either present at birth (congenital) or develop later in life (acquired).  In modern medicine, hearing loss is generally classified into three types : 1.Conductive, 2.Sensori-neural,3.Mixed. Conductive hearing loss (CHL) occurs due to an obstruction in the transmission of sound from the external ear to the stapediovestibular joint. Sensori-Neural hearing loss (SNHL) results from damage to the cochlea, the vestibulocochlear nerve, or related central pathways. Mixed hearing loss includes elements of both conductive and Sensori-neural types. Hearing loss affects one’s quality of life depending on the severity of hearing loss. Hearing aids, implants, and assistive devices are most common instrumental devices which are used in rehabilitation of the impaired hearing. Despite their success, hearing aids and cochlear implants are not perfect in all situations.  In more severe cases where conventional hearing aids are inadequate, cochlear implants may be considered. Despite these options, the high cost of modern treatments often makes them inaccessible for the average person in India. Ayurvedic treatment presents a potentially affordable and effective alternative. Therefore, this study seeks to evaluate the use of Ayurvedic therapies as a cost-efficient and safe approach for managing hearing impairment. Being a complete medical science, Ayurveda possesses many wonders, which are still beyond our site & understanding. Hence, to find out such phenomenon of Ayurveda, Badhirya (SNHL) has been selected for the present study. Narayana Taila Basti is described in classical texts for Badhirya and Musali-Bakuci Churna mixed in equal quantity along with Madhu is also described in classical ayurvedic texts for Badhirya. With the administration of Snehana dravyas, the Vayu is eliminated & Mridutva in the body is produced. The vitiated Doshas, which obstructs the srotas, are eliminated with the help of snehana.By employing a randomized open-label clinical trial design, this research aims to generate scientific evidence for the effectiveness of Narayana Taila Matra Basti along with MusaliBakuci Churna orally potentially establishing it as a viable, natural alternative to modern pharmacotherapy.