The Connection Between Hearing Loss and Balance Issues

You may not have realized but when it comes to hearing loss and balance issues, the two are often connected. Whether it’s something you’ve noticed recently or it’s a family member who has been displaying the signs of both, you may want to pursue it further through professional means.

Balance issues and hearing loss are common amongst all age groups, rather than just being assumed to be an elderly problem. Of course, as you get older, your hearing does decline, as does your mobility but these health issues aren’t just exclusive to the mature patients. It’s important to know the connection between the two, not only to benefit yourself if you’re experiencing it but to help others who may show signs of either.

Types of Balance Issues

There are balance issues that are fairly common and are worth knowing about my diagnosis as they’re linked specifically to hearing loss.

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

A common form of vertigo that many will experience. This happens by calcium crystalizing in the ear and then becoming dislodged into another part of the ear. This results in feelings of disorientation.

Meniere’s Disease

A rare condition that happens within the inner ear. Not as common as BBPV but is still linked to balance issues and hearing loss. It causes a lot of disorientation, hearing loss and congestion in the ears. Talk with your audiologist if you notice any of these symptoms.

How Do Balance Issues Connect to Hearing Loss?

Balance disorders are linked with hearing loss because your ears are a lot more influential than you might think. If your hearing isn’t at its best, this can cause a loss of balance. By not getting your hearing checked regularly problems such as BBPV and Meniere’s disease may start to show themselves through symptoms.

If you suspect that you’ve got hearing loss or that your balance has become compromised, then it’s important to speak to an audiologist. They’ll be able to determine and successfully provide a diagnosis for what is causing these symptoms.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Hearing Loss and Balance Issues?

There are a number of signs to look out for when it comes to both hearing loss and balance issues. If you notice that your are experiencing any of these symptoms talk with your audiologist. These include:

• • Pain in the ear
  • Dizziness or vertigo
  • Loss of background sounds
  • Staggering when trying to walk
  • Difficulty hearing conversation
  • Social isolation from social events

Blurred vision

• Turning up the television
• Feeling lightheaded or faint
• Confusion or disorientation

These are most of the common symptoms experienced. Even if you have one or two of these, it’s best to take it seriously and to get it looked at further. While it may be nothing, if it hasn’t subsided and continues to return as a symptom, then there’s likely something not quite right.

How to Get Help for Hearing Loss and Balance Issues

Balance disorders can also increase the damage that can be caused if the individual were to fall in a dangerous manner. That’s why it’s important to seek help from an audiologist if you feel you may have any of the symptoms above.

To get the help you need, you’ll want to get in touch with an audiologist. An audiologist is qualified and trained to detect signs of hearing loss and to give an accurate diagnosis or the further steps that need to be taken to get the help required. The test themselves are painless and it’s important that regardless of any symptoms or conditions, you’re getting your hearing checked on an annual basis.

Contact Us Today

If you suspect that you have hearing loss or balance issues of any kind, then it’s important to get in touch with a professional audiologist. Contacting Eartech Audiology might be just what’s needed to get answers to the problems you’re experiencing.

Depending on the results, an audiologist will be able to diagnose the problem, or you may require further testing and examinations if needed. Our audiologist will be able to find the perfect solution for you. There’s no need to worry when you’ve got the experts looking after you at all times.

Get in touch with EarTech Audiology today for help with your hearing loss or balance disorders. If you spot the signs and symptoms, don’t hesitate to call us at (866) 464-1008 for further assistance. We look forward to hearing from you!