Falls can have a substantial effect on your health, especially as you get older. That’s why more completely understanding the possible causes of falls is so significant. A solid recognition of those causes can help prevent damage caused by tripping or loss of balance. For example, as researchers have learned more, it’s become clear that improving flexibility and strength is critical to minimizing fall risks.
But it’s not the only aspect that needs to be considered. Researchers have discovered a perhaps not so unexpected connection between hearing loss and fall risks. A study, performed by a team from Johns Hopkins University, revealed that individuals between the ages of 40 and 70 who had even moderate hearing loss were three times more likely to fall than people who didn’t have hearing loss.
There is also a significant correlation between fall risks and the seriousness of hearing loss according to this same study. Understanding how hearing and balance work together can help providers and individuals alike better manage fall risks. Quality of life can be substantially improved by this. Seniors will be able to stay in their homes longer, deal with fewer broken bones, and experience fewer fall-related emergencies.
Can balance problems result from hearing loss?
Many people are used to thinking of balance as something that begins in your feet. It’s true that good footwork can help you avoid falls, but the fact is that most of your body’s sense of balance begins in your ears.
Actually, it’s specifically your inner ear where balance begins. The inner ear has a part called the labyrinth which is composed of two significant parts:
- The cochlea: Sound is carried to your brain by this spiral shaped cavity.
- The vestibular system: This is a complex series of tubes that transmits balance information to your brain.
As the fluid moves around in the vestibular system, your brain utilizes the information to calculate orientation. Your sense of balance and equilibrium are governed by this.
When these signals from your ear are interrupted or distorted, a feeling of dizziness or vertigo can result. The same range of inherent causes of hearing loss frequently are also responsible for disrupting the balance signals that your brain receives from the vestibular system.
Particular causes of balance loss
Researchers have tried to collect more information on what kinds of hearing loss cause balance issues. There are some conditions which impact both balance and hearing. Here are a couple of those conditions:
- Labrynthitis: This is an infection of the inner ear, specifically of the labyrinth. The ear will lose its ability to hear and produce equilibrium when the labyrinth becomes swollen. Treatment frequently includes steroids or other medications. Once the swelling decreases, the symptoms will normally go away.
- Meniere’s Disease: This condition impacts the inner ear. Symptoms include episodes of hearing loss and dizziness. This chronic condition normally gets worse over time.
Of course, there are lots of balance disorders that don’t have a strong connection to hearing loss. One condition, for example, that can result in dizziness and vertigo but usually not hearing loss is BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo).
If you had a balance condition, what would the symptoms look like?
Balance conditions don’t always have an effect on your ability to hear. Most frequently, balance disorder symptoms include dizziness and vertigo. Nausea, vision problems, and the sense of “floating” can also happen.
You should consult us about possible treatments if you experience any of these symptoms.
How does hearing loss raise the risk of falling?
It’s no secret that balance and hearing are closely related. However, researchers are not always clear on how. For example, the link between hearing loss and falls doesn’t reveal the reason for that relationship.
However, there are some possible reasons why hearing loss may impact your balance and your fall risk, including the following:
- Isolation: Hearing loss has long been associated with an increase in social isolation. You might be alone with no one to call for help or help you get up if you fall. Your chance of sustaining a serious injury will be increased as a consequence.
- Diminished situational awareness: Your ears help orient you to what’s going on in three-dimensional space. With untreated hearing loss, you may be less likely to detect a tripping hazard right around the corner (a family pet, for instance).
- Cognitive drain and fatigue: Individuals with hearing loss frequently note a significant increase in fatigue. In large part, that’s because when hearing loss takes place, the human brain attempts to compensate. This takes a substantial amount of mental energy, resulting in fatigue. This fatigue and the related mental strain can make falls more likely.
Strategies for balance, hearing loss, and fall reduction
How can you deal with balance issues? Identifying the root cause of the balance issue will be the first step for most individuals. Depending on the cause, antibiotics or steroids might be used. Any nausea and vomiting associated with these balance and hearing issues might require additional medication. It’s also important, in some cases, to get any hearing loss treated as well.
When it comes to lowering fall risk more broadly, a more generalized strategy might be worthwhile. This may include the following:
- Talk to an audiologist: Your hearing health can be addressed with our help and we can also fit you with hearing aids. This can help ensure that your fall risk associated with hearing loss is as low as possible.
- Talk to a physical therapist: Your cognitive, visual, and balance systems can be rejuvenated with the help of physical and occupational therapists. This will go a long way to prevent falls.
Find the healthcare help you need
As you get older, falling can result in significant damage. Balance disorders, hearing loss, and a combination of the two can significantly raise your fall risk. That’s why prevention is so important. Avoiding a fall can give you more time in your home, more time with your family, and more joy and comfort in your everyday life. If you are experiencing vertigo, dizziness, or balance issues, contact us today, we can help.