Hearing loss can negatively impact your communication, mental and physical health, relationships and even balance. While it can be frustrating, a couple of treatment options are available to you, including hearing aids.
Hearing aids can help you better understand your loved ones, manage tinnitus and keep you more aware of your surroundings, but they may also help you with your balance. Let’s take a look at why hearing loss may affect your balance, as well as how hearing aids can help.
Hearing Loss and Balance
The vestibular system in the ear is responsible for detecting the position and movement of the head in space. When you move your head, the fluid in your ear canal moves and a sensor in your ear sends the information to your brain, contributing to your balance. A disruption of the vestibular system function, such as from hearing loss or an inner-ear condition, can lead to poor balance and stability.
Certain inner-ear conditions, including labyrinthitis, Ménière’s disease and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), can result in balance problems. These conditions can be common causes of balance disorders, the symptoms of which may include:
- Feelings that you are spinning or about to fall while standing still
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Staggard walking
- Blurred vision
A study comparing the balance of those with SNHL and those without found that the “static, dynamic and functional balance skills of children with SNHL were impaired compared to their normal-hearing peers.” One possible explanation for the association between balance and hearing loss was the resulting vestibular loss or weakness in the balance mechanism of the inner ear.
How Can Hearing Aids Help?
While hearing aids cannot cure balance disorders, they may be able to help aid balance improvement. A study testing the balance of older adults with hearing loss found that auditory information is important in maintaining static balance function and stability. Along with assisting in voice amplification, background minimization and tinnitus management, hearing aids provide the auditory cues necessary for better balance.
Starting treatment with hearing aids can help get you back to fun summer activities like swimming, barbequing or playing a game of catch at Briarfield Park.
To begin your hearing treatment journey, contact Hampton Roads ENT ~ Allergy today to speak to one of our specialists.