“Every second of every day, an older adult (age 65+) suffers a fall in the U.S.—making falls the leading cause of injury and injury death in this age group” according to the CDC. This age group is also disproportionately impacted by hearing loss, a chronic medical condition that reduces one’s capacity to hear and process speech as well as sound. Extensive research shows that hearing loss can impact balance and spatial awareness, significantly increasing the risk of falls. Addressing hearing loss and treating symptoms offers countless life-changing benefits
Link Between Falls & Hearing Loss
Extensive research shows that hearing loss can increase the risk of falls. Two major studies that explore this link are:
- Johns Hopkins University Study: to assess the correlation between hearing loss and falls, researchers evaluated data provided by a national survey. This included results from hearing tests and a questionnaire that assessed history of falling over a 3 year period for 2,107 people (ages 40-69). Researchers found that people with hearing loss were more likely to have a history of falling:
- People with mild hearing loss were nearly three times more likely to have a history of falling.
- An increase of hearing loss by 10-decibels also increased the risk of falling by 1.4 times.
- University of Michigan Study: this study included nearly 115,000 participants, ages 66 and older. Participants included people who were recently diagnosed with hearing loss and people without hearing loss. Researchers found that:
- 13% of people experienced a fall within three years of being diagnosed with hearing loss, compared to 7.5% of people without hearing loss.
These findings show that people with hearing loss were much more likely to experience falls. This data supports further research that highlights a significant correlation between hearing loss and falls. This reveals that hearing loss can affect your sense of balance.
Hearing Aids Improve Balance
There are effective hearing solutions that can transform health in significant ways, including improving balance.. Hearing aids are the most common way hearing loss is treated. These electronic devices are designed to absorb, amplify, and process speech as well as sound. This provides the ears and brain with ample support, making it easier to hear. Hearing aids improve balance in several ways including:
- Supporting auditory system: the sensory systems for hearing and balance are both located in the inner ear. Sometimes, hearing loss can also affect the signals that go from the inner ear to the brain to help maintain balance. This interference or disruption can contribute to balance issues and falls. Hearing aids support the auditory system by processing soundwaves which can alleviate the potential impact hearing loss has on the balance system.
- Increasing spatial awareness: hearing aids allow people to hear more speech and sound. This allows people to hear more of what is going on in their environment which provides greater access to environmental hazards and warnings. This can be as simple as being able to hear others say “watch out”. Being more aware of your surroundings and having greater access to the sound around you increases spatial awareness, reducing the risk of falls and supporting balance.
- Strengthening cognitive functions: hearing aids also support brain health. Research has shown that hearing aids strengthen cognitive functions by helping the ears and brain process sound. This prevents cognitive overload and the brain overworking which means appropriate energy can also be spent on other cognitive functions like maintaining balance.
Hearing aids not only transform hearing but can also improve balance. This contributes to greater safety, ability to navigate independently, and being able to comfortably move through everyday life.
Prioritize Your Hearing Health Today
Treating hearing loss offers many life-changing benefits that support a greater quality of life. You can prioritize your hearing health by taking one simple step: scheduling an appointment for a hearing evaluation. Hearing tests involve a painless process that measures your hearing capacities in both ears and identifies your hearing needs. This allows treatment to be tailored to meet your specific needs. Contact us today to learn more about the hearing evaluation process and to schedule an appointment for a hearing consultation. We look forward to helping you prioritize your hearing health and wellness.