The ear's own gathering point. Tinghui (GB-2) opens the ear, clears obstruction and relieves pain in the jaw and face — wherever sound has gone dim or the ear has become troubled, this is the first place to look.
Contraindications
GB-2 is a safe local point when needled correctly. The mouth should be open during insertion to reveal the depression and allow accurate placement.
Name & story
The name 听会 Tinghui means "Meeting of Hearing" — a place where the capacity to hear comes together and is restored. There is a charming old image hidden in the classical texts: the three ear points that cluster around the ear were described as entering through a "gate" (Ermen SJ-21), passing into a "palace" (Tinggong SI-19), and finally arriving at a "meeting" — Tinghui GB-2. The point sits at the end of this journey, as if it is where hearing itself convenes. When that meeting is disrupted — by Wind, Heat, or obstruction — sound fades, rings, or distorts. Tinghui calls the gathering back to order.
Point family & character
Tinghui GB-2 belongs to the Gallbladder Meridian (GB), the channel of Foot Shaoyang. It is one of the three great ear points, clustered close together just in front of the ear, and among the three it is considered the most effective for painful disorders of the surrounding area — including the jaw and teeth.
Five-element dynamics
The Gallbladder Meridian (GB) belongs to the Wood element. Wood governs the free flow of Qi; when Wind and Heat block that flow around the ear, hearing suffers. GB-2 sits right at the ear itself — the organ traditionally linked in Chinese medicine with the Kidneys, yet constantly influenced by the channel that passes directly through it. By eliminating Wind, clearing Heat and activating the local channel, Tinghui unblocks the ear and restores the smooth movement of Qi through this sensitive gateway.
Location
Sit in front of the ear and find the small notch just below the tragus (the little cartilage flap). Ask the patient — or yourself — to open the mouth wide: a clear hollow opens up just in front of that notch. That hollow is GB-2. The point is located with the mouth open.
Anatomy & fascia
The point lies in the hollow between the intertragic notch (the small notch at the lower edge of the tragus, in front of the ear) and the condyloid process of the mandible. When the mouth is opened wide, the condyloid process slides forward and the depression becomes clearly palpable.
Needling
The needle is inserted with a slightly posterior angle — angled gently backward. It is needled with the mouth wide open; once the needle is in place, the patient may close the mouth. The local sensation is typically a dull ache or pressure around the ear and jaw.
Safe depth
0.5 to 1 Cun.
Moxa, cupping & Tui Na
Gentle acupressure on GB-2 can be applied with a fingertip — press into the hollow in front of the ear while the mouth is slightly open. Warm compresses around the ear may support the treatment when Cold is involved. The point is regularly alternated in clinical practice with Tinggong SI-19 and Ermen SJ-21 to avoid over-stimulation of the same tissue.
Functions
Benefits the ears and restores hearing; Eliminates Wind and clears Heat; Activates the channel and alleviates pain.
Indications
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears); deafness and impaired hearing; Qi obstruction of the ear. Redness, swelling, pain and purulent discharge from the ear; itching of the ear. Mumps. Toothache; pain and disorders of the mandibular (jaw) joint; dislocation of the jaw; difficulty in chewing. Deviation of the mouth and eye (as in facial paralysis or windstroke sequelae). Pain of the face and surrounding area.
Mind & spirit (Shen)
The ears, in Chinese medicine, are the sense organs of the Kidneys — and hearing connects us to the world around us. When the ear closes off, whether through ringing, deafness, or pain, a person can feel cut off, isolated, unable to participate fully. Tinghui's role is to re-open that connection. By clearing the obstruction and restoring the flow of Qi to the ear, it helps bring a person back into contact with their surroundings — quieting the internal noise that anxiety and blocked Qi can produce.
Point combinations
With Tinggong SI-19 and Yifeng SJ-17 — for deafness due to Qi obstruction, then add Zusanli ST-36 and Hegu LI-4 (Great Compendium). With Tinggong SI-19, Tianrong SI-17 and Zhongzhu SJ-3 — for deafness and tinnitus (Thousand Ducat Formulas). With Tinggong SI-19, Ermen SJ-21, Fengchi GB-20 — for impaired hearing. With Tinggong SI-19, Zhongzhu SJ-3, Waiguan SJ-5, Erheliao SJ-22, Shangyang LI-1, Hegu LI-4 and Zhongchong P-9 — for deafness (Precious Mirror).
Clinical spotlight
Tinghui (GB-2) is regarded as the most effective of the ear-area points for painful conditions — jaw pain, toothache, mandibular joint dysfunction and facial deviation all respond well to it. A practical clinical note from Deadman: when needling points around the ear regularly, Ermen SJ-21, Tinggong SI-19 and GB-2 should be alternated to avoid over-stimulation of the delicate local tissue. A memorable way to recall their order from top to bottom: the highest point number (SJ-21) is the uppermost, and one enters through the "gate", through the "palace", and arrives at the "meeting" — GB-2, the last and lowest of the three.
The golden tip
To find GB-2 at home: sit quietly, open your mouth gently, and press just in front of the small notch below the tragus of your ear — you will feel a hollow open up as your jaw moves forward. Hold gentle pressure there for one to two minutes on each side. This is helpful for ear fullness, mild tinnitus, jaw tension, or toothache. Always needle this point with the mouth open if working with a practitioner.
For education only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified practitioner.