How much do you think your hearing does for you on a day-to-day basis?
From hearing your alarm to staying safe on the commute to work, keeping you connected with friends and coworkers, and hearing the sounds of the world around you, your auditory function is crucial to making sure you stay active and independent in your lifestyle.
However, your auditory functions do more for you than just hear! Your ears also host your vestibular system, which helps you stay steady on your feet and remain balanced. Your hearing and balance go hand-in-hand, as your ears take in signals from your environment and help your balance be maintained.
I recently came across this fascinating study by Joseph Sakumura, AuD, and Richard Gans, PhD, which discusses the connection between your auditory and vestibular systems and your risk of falling.
Falls are a large cause of hospital visits and early mortality; according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are approximately 3 million emergency department visits due to falls each year.
Recent research, including the study above, found a way to reduce the risk of falls among older adults: improving your cognitive, vestibular, and auditory functions.
The study involved 599 adults between 18 and 89 years of age and surveyed the relationship between cognitive, vestibular, and auditory functions and the risk of harmful falls.
According to Sakumura and Gans,
“Hearing loss is recognized as the number one modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline. Furthermore, patients with even mild cognitive impairment in domains of: visuo-spatial processing, executive function, memory recall, and reaction times are 14 times more likely to have degraded postural stability and elevated fall risk.”
Falls are a significant health concern for older adults, especially those with a hearing loss or cognitive decline, but by improving your cognitive abilities and optimizing your hearing, you can avoid the negative effects of hearing loss and stay steady on your feet at the same time.
Hearing evaluations and hearing technology are both huge parts of our advanced hearing healthcare world, and it’s fantastic to see studies recognizing that hearing health affects our entire holistic health.
Concerned About Your Hearing or Balance?
We’re here to help for every step of your hearing health journey.
Our comprehensive hearing assessments can help you get a handle on your hearing loss challenges and see what you need to help your hearing succeed. Our team works with you to create a personalized treatment plan that puts you and your needs first.
With the help of personalized hearing care, you can stay steady on your feet and remain active in your independent lifestyle.
For more information or to chat with a member of our team, please request a callback and we’ll get in touch with you as soon as we can. Alternatively, you can find your closest clinic and call us in:
Leominster: (978) 425-9289
Northborough: (508) 466-8408
