Balance

Does my hearing affect my balance?

Hearing loss can affect your balance, and the risk of falling increases as hearing gets worse. Studies show that a person with mild hearing loss or worse was three times more likely to have reported a fall over the past year. Our ears use sounds like footsteps from our environment to help us balance while walking. If you have hearing loss, you may miss these important sounds to be able to walk safely and keep your balance. Having a hearing and balance assessment with a hearing specialist is important.

Lin, F. R., & Ferrucci, L. (2012). Hearing Loss and Falls Among Older Adults in the United States. Archives of internal medicine, 172(4), 369. https://doi.org/10.1001/archinternmed.2011.728

February 19, 2025

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What is balance?

Balance is your ability to remain stable when standing so that your weight is spread evenly and you will not fall.

June 12, 2024

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Why are ears important for balance?

Our balance organs are found deep inside our ears. These are very small loops filled with moving water-like fluid and tiny hair cells which measure changes in movement and position —for example, riding in a lift, falling or changing speed. Balance information is constantly being sent to the brain, which sends it to other body parts, such as muscles and eyes, to keep the body balanced and in control. Find out more.

June 12, 2024

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How do I know if I have a balance problem?

If you feel unsteady on your feet when standing or walking or find it hard to walk without falling, you may have a balance problem. Poor balance may also make you feel as though the room is spinning around and make you feel sick, making it hard to live your everyday life. If you are having difficulty or are worried about your balance, you should make an appointment to see a hearing specialist who will assess your hearing and balance. Find out more.

February 19, 2025

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What causes poor balance?

Many things can affect your balance, including hearing loss, ear wax, ear infections, a head injury, medications and travel. As we get older, our balance gets worse. If you are having difficulty or are worried about your balance, you should see our hearing specialists, who will assess your hearing and balance in an Ear360 appointment.

June 12, 2024

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How are balance problems treated?

Treatment will depend on the cause of the balance problem. A hearing specialist will assess your hearing and balance and explain which treatment is best for you. Treatment may include hearing aids, a change in diet, exercises that help improve your balance, medication or surgery. Find out more.

February 19, 2025

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How do I stop myself from falling?

It’s important to improve balance and coordination by strengthening your abdominal and leg muscles to build your core and leg strength. Keeping yourself moving, remaining active and getting enough sleep is important. Some balance issues can be due to hearing loss, so you should see a hearing specialist for a hearing and balance assessment. It’s also a good idea to have your eyesight tested and make sure your home is safe and there aren’t things to fall over. Find out more.

February 19, 2025

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What is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and how do I treat it?

BPPV affects the balance organs in the inner ear and is triggered by certain head movements. When people have BPPV, if they move their head in certain directions, they can experience dizziness, lightheadedness, loss of balance, nausea or a spinning sensation (vertigo) for up to a minute. These effects are caused by calcium crystals coming out of where they’re supposed to be in the balance organ. Treatment of BPPV is carried out by a physiotherapist or balance specialist and includes a series of head movements that moves the crystals back to where they should be in the balance organ.

June 12, 2024

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Ear A-Z

Does my hearing affect my balance?

What is balance?

Why are ears important for balance?

How do I know if I have a balance problem?

What causes poor balance?

How are balance problems treated?

How do I stop myself from falling?

What is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and how do I treat it?

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Get started with Resonate today

Look after your hearing, sign up for weekly hearing related articles.

Balance

We think you would also like...

How should I care for my ears when I go swimming?

Should I try and remove all of the wax out of my ears?

Look after your hearing, sign up for weekly hearing related articles

Ear A-Z

Does my hearing affect my balance?

What is balance?

Why are ears important for balance?

How do I know if I have a balance problem?

What causes poor balance?

How are balance problems treated?

How do I stop myself from falling?

What is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and how do I treat it?

Like what you are reading? Sign up to our newsletter

Learn more with our Hearing Health Guide

Get started with Resonate today

Look after your hearing, sign up for weekly hearing related articles.

Balance

We think you would also like...

How should I care for my ears when I go swimming?

Should I try and remove all of the wax out of my ears?

Look after your hearing, sign up for weekly hearing related articles