Did you know that there is a connection between your hearing and balance? This is because the inner ear plays an important role in balance. The balance system, also known as the vestibular system, shares a neural pathway with the hearing system. Many people who experience hearing loss also experience balance issues, with one study by Johns Hopkins showing that people between the ages of 40-69 with mild hearing loss were three times more likely to have reported falling in the last year.

But how exactly are hearing and balance connected? Both our hearing and balance systems are complicated, but it’s important to understand how they are linked.

About the Vestibular System

Your body uses several different things to stay balanced. One of these is the very small vestibular organs that are located in the inner ear, while the other two main types of input are vision and proprioception.

Hearing and balance systems are connected in the inner ear. The organs in our inner ear include the semicircular canals, the utricle and saccule and the cochlea. The semicircular canals help us detect head movements. The utricle and saccule detect the body’s orientation, such as whether you are lying, sitting or standing.

The cochlea is the main hearing organ. All of these things work together with other parts of the balance system to help us stay balanced. The hearing and balance systems share a neural pathway to the brain, which means that hearing loss can affect balance too.

Balance Problems and Hearing

Balance problems are common, especially as we get older. Many people experience dizziness or other problems with balance. Several things may cause problems with balance as we get older, including changes in hearing and vision and an increased likelihood of some vestibular disorders.

Hearing loss and balance issues are linked due to both hearing and balance being part of the inner ear. The inner ear is where the cochlea is located, which is an organ that translates sound waves into electrical impulses and sends them to the brain. These electrical impulses are sent along the vestibulocochlear nerve to the brain, which is also the neural pathway used by the vestibular organs. This shared connection is also divided so that one part is dedicated to hearing and the other to balance. If there is a problem with one part, it can mean that an issue with the other part develops too.

People who have hearing loss are more likely to experience issues with balance compared to those who don’t have any hearing loss due to this shared connection to the brain. People who have a balance disorder or experience symptoms such as dizziness and vertigo can also find that their hearing is affected.

Hearing Tests for Hearing Loss and Balance Issues

Many experts, including audiologists recommend a hearing test to people who are experiencing balance issues. There are several medical conditions that can affect both the balance and hearing.

Audiologists can both carry out hearing tests and balance tests. Balance tests can include a videonystagmography (VNG) test, which detects involuntary eye movement, something that can be caused by some conditions of the inner ear. An auditory brainstem response (ABR) test can be used to detect problems with the nerves connecting your hearing and balance systems to the brain.

Conditions Affecting Balance and Hearing

Some of the things that affect both hearing and balance include:

Meniere’s disease: A disease that causes symptoms such as hearing loss, tinnitus and dizziness.
Aging: Age-related hearing loss and balance problems often occur at the same time.
Prolonged exposure to noise: Exposure to noise can not only damage the hearing but also cause damage to the vestibular system.
Ototoxic medications: Some medications can cause hearing problems and can damage the balance system at the same time.
Infections: Some types of infection can damage the hearing and balance systems.
Acoustic neuroma: Benign tumors can grow on the vestibulocochlear nerve, which may affect both hearing and balance.

What to Do If You Are Experiencing Balance or Hearing Issues

If you’re having problems with your balance or hearing, it’s important to find out what the problem could be. Making an appointment with an audiologist is a good first step, especially if you know that you have hearing loss or suspect that you might have it. Call Desert Hearing Care at (480) 374-1846 to learn more about our services and how we can help you with hearing loss, balance issues and hearing aids.