As we age we face many challenges, and the increase in dizziness and imbalance is one of the most prominent. Affecting a large percentage of the older generation, balance issues can increase the risk of falling.
As falls are a significant cause of injury, hospitalization, and death among adults, it’s important to mitigate any falling risks as early as possible.
There are several conditions that can increase your dizziness and imbalance. Among many others, diabetes, heart disease, and problems with your vision can all increase your likelihood of becoming dizzy or experiencing vertigo.
Another prominent cause of dizziness and imbalance: your hearing.
How Hearing Affects Balance
Hearing challenges can cause dizziness and imbalance because the ear holds the key to both our hearing and our balance.
Within the inner ear, there are two separate chambers: the cochlea (which may sound familiar if you’ve heard of cochlear implants) and the vestibule for our balance (which you may recognize from the word “vestibular”).
It’s no surprise, then, that hearing can affect your balance and even cause dizziness.
Dizziness Due to Hearing Loss
If you start experiencing dizziness it can be confusing and concerning, and you may turn to the internet to figure out what’s going on. Identifying hearing loss-related dizziness is best done by a professional, but there are some key symptoms you can look out for before seeking help.
Here are some identifiers you can look out for:
- Light-headedness
- Vertigo (a spinning sensation)
- Loss or lack of coordination
- Disorientation
- Nausea and vomiting
Dizziness, much like hearing loss, can vary from person to person. Knowing whether your dizziness is due to a hearing challenge can help you identify your risks and mitigate them, minimizing your risk of falling in the future.
If you’re experiencing dizziness and balance issues, it’s best to address these issues right away!
How Utah Ear Institute Can Help
When you become a patient at Utah Ear Institute, we help you discover long-term hearing health, and we’re committed to renewing your confidence and helping you with your hearing.
Utah Ear Institute doesn’t just follow audiological best practices; we define them.
Whether you’re looking for answers regarding your hearing loss or you’re looking to take that next step and start your hearing care journey, we’d love to hear from you.
To discover more about our range of services or if you have any questions, you can contact us at (801) 298-4327 or visit our contact page here.
