Hearing loss and balance are intertwined. Most of us take our balance for granted until we take a fall or start to have dizziness. While we may think of balance; or lack of, an aging issue… many people would be surprised how closely our hearing and our balance is linked, The inner ear is critical in maintaining equilibrium. Therefore hearing loss and balance go hand in hand.
The inner ear contains the Cochlea which is shaped like a snail. It’s sole purpose is to detect sounds and transmit information to our brains. Your inner ear also houses our Vestibular system. It is composed of a network of canals and fluid filled sacs that provide our brain with necessary information to provide us with good movement and balance. The Vestibular system is comprised of 3 semi-circular canals and two otolith organs (the utricle and the saccule). These organs detect head position, motion and spatial awareness. The signals that our brain receives from these organs help us to feel coordinated orientated.
Because of the physical connection between the cochlea and the vestibular system if one is damaged it will usually effect the other…. Hearing and balance are related. If there is damage to either, we will have reduced spatial awareness, increased cognitive load, and inner ear disorders.
Our hearing helps us to be observant of our surroundings. We will know if someone is coming up behind us. We can detects sounds and objects. When we get a hearing loss we lose a degree of this self awareness. Thus, we are more apt to fall or have an accident.
When we have a hearing loss we work harder to get through the day. Our brain works harder to hear sounds and to interpret what the sounds are… Especially speech. This is called cognitive load. Research shows that when people have increased cognitive load they are more likely to fall.
There are certain conditions that cause inner ear disorders. These include:
Ménière’s Disease, Vestibular neuritis, Labryinthitis and Age-Related Hearing Loss.
Meniere’s Disease is a disorder that causes, vertigo, dizziness, tinnitus, and ear pressure. Vestibular Neuritis happens when the vestibular nerve becomes inflamed… usually due to a viral infection. This will cause dizziness and imbalance.
Labryinthitis is inflammation in the inner ear that will lead to dizziness and hearing loss.
If a person experiences hearing loss and balance issues at the same time then it makes life more difficult. Simple activities such as walking or sitting down on the toilet become harder. People may experience an increased risk of falling, anxiety that they may fall or fall again. This anxiety often will lead to the person being less mobile… thus; less exercise and less social engagement.
Hearing and Balance issues can be frustrating for the person experiencing them.
The best advise is to seek medical evaluation. Your Hearing Health Care Provider can initiate care with an extensive hearing evaluation and consultation.
The second step… if you have a hearing loss then wear appropriately fitting hearing instruments. They will improve your auditory perception and enhance your spatial awareness. Wearing hearing instruments decreases the risk of falls.
If your balance issues require.. there is also Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy that your physician can order for you. This type of therapy has exercises to retrain the brain to compensate for your in ear ear dysfunction, Exercises like yoga and also simple things like standing on one foot will help to build strength, stability, and coordination.
Hearing loss and Balance are deeply connected. If you are experiencing problems with either your hearing of balance then it is time for a complete hearing evaluation and consultation. To Hear Better is To Live Better!
By: Roseann B. Kiefer, B.A., BC-HIS