In general, highly frequent tinnitus or ringing in the head is more likely to be related to gallbladder fire mixed with wind rising along the Shaoyang Meridian. Liver and gallbladder pertain to wood; the attribute of wind is wood too. Both internal and external wind corresponds to the liver and gallbladder. The generation of wind suggests malfunction of the liver and gallbladder. Chapter 29 of the Plain Questions (Su Wen) states, "The upper body is affected first when the body is attacked by wind pathogen". When the wind attacks the human body, it first affects the head, skin, or the lung. If the wind travels upward, along the Shaoyang Meridian, tinnitus (or even deafness) or ringing in the head may occur. Wind-fire is commonly seen in the Shaoyang Meridian; therefore, treatment with actions of dispelling wind and clearing fire is needed.

The Systematic Differentiation of Warm Diseases (Wen Bing Tiao Bian) states that "the upper energizer should be treated with herbs which are floating or rising in nature, unless the actions of herbs cannot reach the upper parts". Ye Gui’s statement in the Externally-Contracted Warm-Heat Diseases (Wai Gan Wen Re Pian) "the disease in defense level can be treated by inducing sweating" should also be noted. Sometimes, floating-natured herbs with heat-clearing action may not able to dispel pathogens or scatter wind, so heat-clearing combined with inducing sweating is needed for scattering wind and soothing the liver.

When it comes to formulas and strategies, we use the major formula Minor Bupleurum Decoction (Xiao Chai Hu Tang) and the minor formula Ephedra, Apricot Kernel, Coix seed and Licorice Decoction (Ma Xing Yi Gan Tang), adding Periostracum Cicadae (Chan Yi), Rhizoma Acori Tatarinowii (Shi Chang Pu), Radix et Rhizoma Gentianae (Long Dan Cao), Magnetitum (Ci Shi), large amount of Radix Paeoniae Alba (Bai Shao) and Bombyx Batryticatus (Jiang Chan). Though Minor Bupleurum Decoction (Xiao Chai Hu Tang) can harmonize Shaoyang Meridian and scatter wind-heat, it is not enough to induce sweating, which means the expected results may not be achieved. Why not Gentian Liver-Draining Decoction (Long Dan Xie Gan Tang)? It is used to treat damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder Meridians and it moves downward. The effects of Gentian Liver-Draining Decoction (Long Dan Xie Gan Tang) functions better in the lower body; neither can it move upward to the head nor  induce sweating.  

When acupuncture is used, TE 17 (Yifeng) is recommended. The Chinese character for “yi” represents ears and the Chinese character for "feng" means wind. The name in Chinese indicates this point can be used to dispel wind in ears. There are only 5 points named with “feng” (wind). GB 20 (Fengchi) and GV 16 (Fengfu) are for wind in the head and face; BL 12 (Fengmen) is for wind in the lung; GB 31 (Fengshi) is for wind in the skin; and TE 17 (Yifeng) is for wind in the ears. These names showed that ancient Chinese named the points with connotations. When needling TE 17 (Yifeng), the needle is inserted obliquely upward. After the needling sensation extends to ears, manipulate the needle with draining method. Other points which benefit the ears may be combined, for instance, GV 20 (Baihui), TE 3 (Zhongzhu), TE 21 (Ermen), SI 19 (Tinggong), GB 2 (Tinghui) and  GB 41 (Zulinqi). After all, every treatment plan should be made on the basis of syndrome differentiation.