If life feels like you are living on a ship in a stormy sea, you might need to think about the underlying cause. Balancing issues in senior years are common, but they should not be ignored. It could be related to hearing loss.
Read on for our complete guide on hearing loss and balance in the elderly. We’ll explain some of the signs, risks, and practical steps you can take to minimize the impact on your life.
The Inner Ear and the Impact on Our Balance
The inner ear, for such a tiny part of the body, plays a surprisingly significant role in our overall well-being and – most importantly – our balance.
Within the inner ear is something called the vestibular system. This is a complex network of canals and sensory hair cells. These detect our motion and head position. Every time we move, we get signals to our brain that help us stay upright and coordinated.
However, when this complex system degrades with age or becomes damaged, the hearing loss is sometimes coupled with weaker or inaccurate signals that affect our balance, leaving us less stable and less mobile.
Age-Related Hearing Loss and the Risk of Falling
Most of us think of hearing loss as depriving us of sounds, but there is more to it than that. It also impacts balance. That’s because the inner ear plays a central role in helping our bodies remain stable.
When hearing declines in our senior years, our brains aren’t getting the sensory signals we need. That can lead to senior balance issues. In other words, we don’t get the subtle environmental cues we need to stay upright and move around safely.
That might manifest as feelings of:
- Unsteadiness on your feet
- Dizziness
- Difficulty navigating surroundings
It means a higher risk of falls or bumping into objects, doors, and walls. This is not only a risk for the most severe hearing loss but also for mild hearing impairment.
There is research to back this up. Hearing impairment has been shown consistently to increase your risk of falls. For example, this study found that seniors with hearing loss are 2.4 times more likely to experience a fall than adults with normal hearing.
There is another way hearing loss impacts our balance and steadiness on our feet. When we have hearing loss, even when it is mild, our brains have to work harder to interpret the sounds around us. With seniors, this means our brains are rediverting some of the mental resources we use to stay stable, leading to balance issues and fall risks.
How to Spot Hearing and Balance Issues: Early Signs
Any sort of hearing issue is best handled as soon as possible via a proper hearing screening. So, here are some of the warning signs to watch for if you’re worried about your hearing and balance:
- Frequent dizziness
- Feeling unsteady on your feet
- Difficulty navigating awkward or cramped spaces
- Feeling disorientated in dim lights
- Struggling to walk on uneven surfaces
- Bumping into objects
- Veering when walking
- A sense of motion, even when standing still
Always speak to a healthcare professional if you have any symptoms. They can assess your hearing and rule out any other causes.
Hearing Aids, Hearing Loss, and Balance
Hearing aids are one of the primary solutions for those with hearing loss. However, they do more than restore lost sounds. They can also help with balance and spatial awareness, making them an essential remedy for hearing-related balancing issues.
When hearing aids improve your environmental cues, it allows your brain the information it needs to retain balance; you aren’t putting so much strain on it.
The takeaway here is that early diagnosis is vital so that your healthcare practitioner can recommend hearing aids and devices. It lowers your risk of falls and helps you stay more mobile.
Fall Prevention: Simple Steps to Improve Your Balance
Hearing aids aren’t the only way you can help improve your balance if you are suffering from problems due to hearing loss. Here are some other practical changes you can make to reduce your risk of a fall:
- Add strength exercises to your fitness routine
- Try a stability exercise like tai chi or yoga
- Try targeted balancing exercises like standing on one foot
- Add grab bars to bathrooms and other high-risk spaces
- Remove clutter around your home
- Check for tripping hazards like rugs and cables that run across the floor
Creating a safe home environment and staying active is good for anyone in their senior year. But for those with hearing loss, it’s critical and must be prioritized.
Hearing Screenings: The Importance of Regular Checkups
Even if you don’t currently have hearing issues in your senior years or they are mild, it’s still important to book regular hearing checks. You should have a hearing screening at least once a year.
However, if you have balance issues or recently had a fall, you should book an interim screening.
Hearing and Balance: Life in a Senior Living Community
If you are a senior living in a community, maintaining good hearing and balance is crucial for staying mobile and enjoying your surroundings.
Since you are at increased risk of a fall, speak to your care team about simple steps you can take to make life easy, such as grab bars. Many communities, such as ours, have already designed their environments to be accessible, which includes aids for those with hearing, balance, and mobility issues.
If you aren’t sure what’s available, ask your care team. Make sure you also get help to attend hearing screenings on time, as they are a vital part of your auditory health.
Hearing Loss and Balance in the Elderly: Taking Action
Hearing loss and balance in the elderly can cause worries, and there are real risks like falls. However, there are steps you can take to lower those risks, and the most important first step is a proper hearing screening.
SummerHouse Alexandria Assisted Living, Alexandria, is the perfect destination if you are currently planning your retirement. With beautiful surroundings, a wealth of amenities, and accessible buildings to support residents with hearing loss, we have much to offer. You can discover more about assisted living in Alexandria, LA, by scheduling a tour.
