This article introduces Professor ZHOU De’ an’ s clinical experience in treating sensorineural hearing loss（ SNHL） by combining acupuncture and Chinese herbs. ZHOU De’ an emphasizes on Zang-fu and channel syndrome differentiation and advocates combined use of acupuncture and Chinese herbs. In terms of acupuncture treatment

for acute vigorous fire in liver and gallbladder

he clears liver heat and drains gallbladder

dredges ear orifices and establishes an acupuncture point group as Tong’er Fang（ 通耳方）; for chronic liver and kidney deficiency

he nourishes liver and kidney

tranquilizes and allays excitement

and establishes another acupuncture point group as Cong’er Fang（ 聪耳方）. In terms of Chinese herbs

soothing liver and invigorating blood is the key during acute stage

while fortifying spleen and supplementing kidney is the key during chronic stage. He thinks that deficiency and excess may exist during different clinical periods

so physicians should differentiate the syndrome according to the specific tongue and pulse of the patient

to grasp the changes between excess and deficiency in different periods

and adjust the treatment options to obtain better therapeutic effect.