Hearing loss is something many of us think we won’t have to deal with until much later in life, but it’s far more common than most people realise. According to the World Health Organisation, around 1.57 billion people around the world are currently living with some form of hearing loss, and that number is expected to grow to 2.5 billion by 2050.
While hearing loss affects how well we hear, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. It can also take a toll on mental health, increase the risk of social isolation, and impact something you probably wouldn’t expect: balance.
In this blog, we will break down what hearing loss is, how hearing loss and balance are connected, what hearing conditions affect your balance, and how best to deal with it.
What is hearing loss?
Hearing loss happens when there’s a problem somewhere along the path from your ear to your brain. It might be a blockage in the ear canal, damage to the tiny hair cells inside your inner ear, or an issue with the auditory nerve that carries sound signals to your brain. Sometimes it’s temporary due to an ear infection or build-up of earwax, but often, it’s gradual and permanent.
There are a few main types of hearing loss. Conductive hearing loss, caused by blockages or damage in the outer of middle ear, sensorineural hearing loss, usually due to inner ear damage or ageing, and mixed hearing loss, which is a combination of both.
Regardless of the type, the result is the same: sound doesn’t get processed the way it should.
How are hearing loss and balance connected?
Inside your ear are two important systems: the cochlea, which helps you hear, and the vestibular system, which helps you balance. They live side by side, and they’re constantly working together, whether you’re listening to your favourite song or trying not to fall off a step.
The vestibular system acts like your body’s internal GPS. It senses movement, rotation, and changes in head position, sending signals to your brain to help you stay upright and steady. When this system is working well, you probably don’t even notice it, but when it’s not, you might feel dizzy, wobbly, or even like the room is spinning.
Since both systems share space and communicate with the brain through the same nerve pathways, it’s not uncommon for damage to affect both hearing and balance at the same time.
What hearing conditions affect balance?
Several conditions can impact your hearing and throw off your balance at the same time.
Ménière’s Disease
Ménière’s disease is a chronic condition that affects the inner ear and causes unpredictable episodes of vertigo, hearing loss, and ringing in the ears (also known as tinnitus). These dizzy spells can come on suddenly and last for hours, leaving you feeling nauseous and completely out of sorts.
Labyrinthitis
Labyrinthitis is usually caused by a viral infection that inflames both the hearing and balance parts of the inner ear. This can lead to sudden hearing loss, dizziness, and even trouble focusing your eyes.
Acoustic Neuroma
Acoustic neuroma, a non-cancerous tumour that grows on the nerve connecting your inner ear to your brain can cause gradual hearing loss, unsteadiness, and in some cases, facial numbness.
Age related hearing loss
As we get older, our inner ear structures wear down. Combine that with slower reaction times and vision changes, and it’s no wonder that falls become more common in older adults.
How to deal with hearing loss and balance issues
If you’re experiencing both hearing loss and balance problems, it’s important not to ignore the symptoms.
If you’re feeling off balance, having frequent dizzy spells, or noticing changes in your hearing, the best thing you can do is talk to a professional. An audiologist can conduct a hearing test to get a clearer picture of what’s going on.
If hearing loss is confirmed, you may benefit from hearing aids, and not just for better hearing. Believe it or not, hearing aids can help improve your awareness of your surroundings, which supports better balance. Some newer models even come with motion sensors or fall detection features for added safety.
In cases where balance is a bigger issue, vestibular rehabilitation therapy can be a game changer. This form of physical therapy focuses on improving your balance through exercises that help your brain adapt to changes in the inner ear. With the right training, many people see big improvements in stability and confidence.
If you’ve noticed changes in your hearing and balance, get in touch with Sutton Hearing Centre today.