Hearing loss is a condition that affects the lives of millions of people worldwide and is likely to make communication and social interactions difficult. The impact of hearing loss, however, is not limited to hearing itself; it can affect general health, particularly balance. You would be surprised to know that hearing has a strong relation to remaining balanced, and hearing loss has an effect on your coordination as well as stability in a significant way.
The Connection between Hearing and Balance
The human ear does not only enable us to hear; it also helps us balance. In the inner ear, there is an apparatus called the vestibular system, which is in charge of sensing movement and head position. The vestibular system coordinates with the auditory system to give us feedback about our body’s position in relation to the external environment, aiding us in balancing ourselves.
When you experience hearing loss, especially when it is within the inner ear (such as sensorineural hearing loss), the vestibular system will be impacted. This can cause you to be unbalanced, dizzy, or prone to falling over. Indeed, the majority of individuals with hearing loss report vertigo, an illusion of spinning that is typically related to balance issues.
Hearing Loss and Balance
Impaired vestibular function
As mentioned earlier, the inner ear houses both the vestibular and the auditory system. If hearing loss occurs, it typically means that the structures of the inner ear are damaged. This damage may interfere with the vestibular system in sending proper signals to the brain, thus rendering balance challenging to achieve.
Failure to Recognize Space
The brain can use both eyes and ears to help us navigate in space. With the hearing loss that currently exists, the brain may have less to work from in the way of auditory information, and this can make it harder to travel through your surroundings. This can be a product of decreased spatial awareness and a greater risk of falling.
Reduced Ability to Detect Environmental Signals
Sounds around us help us identify what is present, signal oncoming danger, and give important information about the stability of the environment. Without hearing, environmental cues are less salient, and stumbling, tripping, or falling is more probable—especially in unknown environments or when walking along uneven surfaces.
Dizziness and Vertigo
The most common complaint among individuals with hearing loss is dizziness. It occurs very frequently in those who experience sudden or severe hearing loss. The issue, known as vestibular dysfunction, arises when the inner ear is not able to process the signals in a proper manner, leading to balance and spinning or dizziness feelings.
Cognitive Load
When someone has hearing loss, he or she usually has to do extra work in order to understand what he or she hears or try to decipher speech. The additional mental effort can divert attention away from physical coordination and balance. In a way, the brain is working harder to process the sounds and there are fewer resources available in maintaining balance and stability.
The Role of Hearing Aids in Improving Balance
Because hearing and balance tend to go hand in hand, correcting hearing loss can improve balance and reduce falls. The answer may be the implementation of hearing aids. The more advanced technology hearing aids, in fact, can amplify sound and provide cleaner sound inputs to the brain so that individuals have better spatial awareness and balance.
By amplifying sound, hearing aids may help individuals to hear better the noises around them and be better oriented. This could lead to less dizziness and a greater sense of balance, particularly in environments in which hearing cues are crucial to balance.
The Importance of Early Treatment
If you or someone in your family is suffering from hearing impairment, it’s imperative to seek medical advice and treatment immediately. Medical treatment for hearing impairment at an early stage can bar further complications, including balance problems. It’s essential to have regular hearing checks and appointments with an audiologist that will help you ensure that you are taking the right actions for treating hearing and balance issues accordingly.
ELHearing: Your Partner in Hearing Health
At ELHearing, we know how deeply hearing loss can affect you. We’re dedicated to delivering high-quality, personalized hearing aids tailored to your specific needs. If you need a discreet in-ear style or a more powerful, high-performance hearing aid, we have solutions that can enhance both your hearing and balance.
Our hearing aids are designed with the latest technology to give you clear sound and enhanced spatial awareness, allowing you to live an active, independent life. If you have hearing loss and attendant balance problems, call ELHearing today to find a solution that works for you.
With the right hearing aid, you don’t just get your hearing back—you get your balance back too.