Why Do Balance Disorders Accompany Hearing Loss?

Have you ever wondered what else your ears are capable of? You know they help you to hear and process noises and sounds, but did you know they also keep you upright? They assist with balance, posture, and focus. If you have recently started to experience hearing loss along with losing focus and your balance, then you may be experiencing a balance disorder. If you are not sure how to go about dealing with this then take a look at the article below for some answers.

What is a Balance Disorder?

A balance disorder is a broad-spectrum term for something that can make you feel unsteady or dizzy. There are a variety of symptoms you can experience if you have a balance disorder, these include vertigo which is when you experience a spinning sensation even when you are perfectly still, the feeling as if you are floating, not being able to walk in a straight line, blurry vision, or feeling disorientated.

These are common symptoms experienced by those with a balance disorder. You may also notice some of the following: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anxiety, depression and fatigue. It can be incredibly frustrating to experience these symptoms; however, it will help to make an appointment with an audiologist. They will be able to help diagnose your problems and provide some light relief or treatment options.

Common Causes of Balance Disorders

The inner ear and the brain will always work together to help you balance. Balance conditions occur when the inner ear or brain become damaged, so if one or both are having trouble then you can begin to experience symptoms of a balance disorder. They work in synchronization with the vestibular system. This is responsible for telling your brain when your head is on the move, such as when it rotates or tilts. If something is off, then the signals will get a bit lost along the way. This impacts your ability to stay focused and steady, even when perfectly still.

You might be wondering what could cause damage to the brain or inner ear, this is a common question asked when people visit their audiologists. Age is a big factor in the association of a balance condition alongside hearing loss. However, it isn’t the only factor, others include bacterial or viral ear infections, head injuries, circulation problems and certain medications such as aspirin.

What is Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is quite common and can affect a number of both children and adults at some point in their life. Hearing loss is when you lose the ability to hear, sound becomes reduced, or more muffled than usual. You can experience hearing loss in one or both of your ears. If you or your family have noticed you turning the television up extra loud, or you are shouting when you speak then it may be time to visit an audiologist.

Common Causes of Hearing Loss

It is common for hearing to deteriorate over time, this is known as age-related hearing loss. Hearing starts to decline around the age of 40. By the time people reach the age of 80, it is incredibly common that more than half of them will experience some form of hearing loss. There is nothing that you have done to cause this, it is just something that happens as the ears get old and tired.

There is also hearing loss that has been caused by your lifestyle choices. If you attended loud concerts when you were younger or you were a fan of loud music in earphones, then you are more likely to experience hearing loss. This is due to the tiny hairs in your ears that pick up sound being damaged by the fierce vibrations and sound waves that enter your ear. You can prevent this type of hearing loss but you can’t reverse it.

How the Two are Connected

There has been very little research up until now into the connection between hearing loss and a person’s balance. However, recent research conducted has shown that elderly individuals who are experiencing hearing loss are twice as likely to also have a problem with their balance. Therefore, results have shown that balance can be impacted by a person’s hearing loss. It makes sense when both hearing loss and balance involve the inner ear.

Treatment for Balance Disorders

You may be thinking if you will be stuck with these forever. While there is no cure for hearing loss there are treatments out there. If you are experiencing a balance disorder alongside hearing loss then you may benefit and find relief from the use of hearing aids. Speak to your audiologist about potential treatments and if hearing aids will be suited as a part of your lifestyle.

If you need help, assistance, or more information on these conditions then don’t hesitate to call EarTech Audiology on (866) 464-1008.