Revisiting the Ear–Kidney Connection : An Eastern-Western Medical Approach

Based on the Five-Element Theory (五行學說), traditional Korean medicine understands the human body by linking internal organs (五臟) with external sensory organs (五官). This study explored the relationship between the ear (耳) and the kidney (腎) from an integrative East-West medical perspective, focusing on kidney essence storage (腎藏精) and kidney regulation of water (腎主水), and examined the concept that the kidney governs the ear (腎主耳). From a physiological perspective, structural and functional features shared by the ear and kidney were analyzed, emphasizing embryology, endocrine function, and fluid metabolism. From a pathological perspective, the association between kidney dysfunction and auditory disorders was investigated, considering genetic factors and pathophysiological mechanisms. Based on these findings, the relationship between the ear and kidney was reinterpreted from a traditional medical viewpoint, confirming their close physiological and pathological connection. This study highlights the importance of linking internal organs and sensory organs in traditional medicine and suggests the potential of treating auditory disorders by modulating kidney function. Furthermore, further research is needed to clarify the molecular and clinical mechanisms underlying the interaction between these two organs.