Why Do Balance Disorders Accompany Hearing Loss?

When dealing with health issues, there are many connected conditions that occur because of the appearance of one. For example, high blood pressure can be connected to heart disease, while obesity is linked to diabetes. In terms of your auditory health, have you ever noticed that many balance disorders accompany hearing loss? It may sound like an odd connection, but it’s fairly common to experience balance issues with hearing loss! This guide aims to explain exactly why, so read on to discover more.

Why Do Balance Disorders Accompany Hearing Loss?

It has to be said that hearing loss and balance issues are actually pretty closely related. One can trigger the other, so it’s always important to stay vigilant when tending to your hearing health and balance.

While it might seem like good balance is a sign of physical fitness or brain health, balance actually begins in the ear. Most of the vestibular system, which helps you maintain balance and know where you are in space, is deep in the inner ear. Doctors are increasingly recognizing the link between hearing issues, such as hearing loss, and balance. Understanding the connection between the two can help you better assess your risk and reduce your chances of serious injury.

Some studies have suggested that there is a real association between hearing loss and the risk of falling for children and adults of all ages.

To get scientific, your inner ear is made up of two connected parts – the cochlea and the labyrinth. The cochlea is responsible for hearing, and the labyrinth is responsible for balance. This connection is one reason why hearing loss and balance disorders are often related.

There are certain conditions which affect both the cochlea and labyrinth, with the most common being Meniere’s disease. Meniere’s disease can lead to hearing loss, as well as general dizziness and a ringing sound inside your ears. An injury or infection inside your ear can also damage both your hearing and balance, so this is something that might explain the connection.

How to Improve Your Hearing Loss

One of the best ways to improve your hearing loss is by purchasing a hearing aid. Hearing aids are extremely popular for people of all ages, and there are many types of hearing aids for you to choose between. Picking the most suitable hearing aid can impact on the benefits that you can receive from your device, so you need to find your ideal match to reap the most rewards. Numerous features and factors can influence what type of hearing aid you choose, like ease of use or visibility.

The three most popular hearing aid styles are in the ear (ITE), behind the ear (BTE) and in the canal (ITC). Here are some key facts about these styles, to help you to make the most informed decision when you’re choosing a hearing aid to alleviate your hearing loss.

ITE Hearing Aids

ITE hearing aids are worn just in the outer bowl of your ear. They are a large hearing aid style but this does mean they have the space to boast a variety of different features.

Pros:

• Help with many levels of hearing loss
• Custom made to fit your ear
• Easy to change settings

Cons:

• Bigger than other hearing aid types
• Hard to hide, visible when worn
• May have a limited battery life

BTE Hearing Aids

BTE hearing aids are typically the largest variety, but offer an open fit as they are placed behind your ear instead. BTE devices are one of the most common choices of hearing aid, as they are suitable for a wide range of hearing losses and individuals.

Pros:

• Open fit provides a less “clogged” feeling that canal-worn devices
• Come in a variety of styles and colors
• Suitable for children and adults

Cons:

• Can be more visible because they are larger and worn behind the ear
• Can fall victim to wind noise in open spaces

ITC Hearing Aids

ITC hearing aids do not have external parts, as they are placed inside of your ear canal. They are nearly invisible, and are one of the smallest types of hearing aid, providing a natural listening experience because of their location in the canal.

Pros:

• Essentially invisible
• Surprisingly comfortable
• Simple to take in and out

Cons:

• Harder to clean than other types which can sometimes make their lifespan shorter
• May be difficult to handle if you have dexterity issues

Learn More

Getting a hearing aid could help to alleviate both your hearing loss and your balance disorder at the same time. Treating one condition may help to limit the symptoms of the other, so it’s always worthwhile contacting an audiologist to see whether you could benefit from a hearing aid.

If you’d like to learn more about the link between balance disorders and hearing loss, then reach out to our team at Brentwood Hearing Center. Call us at (615) 866-0431 to get great advice on hearing aids!