You’ve probably heard—maybe way back when, in Science class—that the semi-circular canals deep inside your ear are involved with balance. Well, that seventh-grade text book was right. In addition to transmitting sound to the brain, the inner ear also processes information that helps maintain balance. And those semi-circular canals? They sense movement and help the body adjust to changes in angle.
We all need to maintain our balance. But as we age, that ability becomes more and more critical. Taking a fall while out for a walk at the age of 20 is a lot different than taking the same fall at 70 or 80, when your muscles and bones are far more susceptible to damage.
Once again proving the wisdom of that seventh-grade textbook, research indicates that hearing has a definite connection to balance. It has been found that even mild hearing loss nearly triples the risk of falling—and for every additional 10 decibels of hearing loss, that the risk increases 140 percent
Several connections have been explored by research. For instance, hearing loss may pose a greater risk of falling because it makes the brain work harder to process sound, increasing what is known as “cognitive load” and diverting brain power away from functions such as maintaining balance and gait.
There’s an even more simple connection. With hearing loss, it can be very easy to miss sounds that make you aware of your surroundings. If you can’t hear a crossing signal, or someone trying to warn you about an upcoming curb, falling becomes more and more likely.
Research indicates that people whose balance is being impaired by hearing loss can benefit greatly from hearing aids. One study found that individuals with hearing loss performed better on standard balance tests when their hearing aids were turned on, compared to when they were turned off.
That relates directly to the two possible connections mentioned earlier. Hearing aids can make a person more aware of sounds that serve as warnings, and they can reduce the amount of brainpower necessary for understanding sounds, in general.
All in all, preserving balance is just one more reason why regular hearing assessments are a smart addition to an annual medical exam.
