Does Hearing Loss Affect Balance?

Image of the Vestibular system The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA)
Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a person’s life both on a psychological and physiological level. Hearing loss can affect your balance. The ear in itself is a very complex organ serving important functions such as processing sound signals and sending them to the brain. At the same time it hosts the vestibular system. Together with the visual system and the proprioception (the orientation of the body parts in space and their sense of position) it is responsible for the body balance and compromising one of these systems can lead to a balance disorder.

How is balance controlled?

A balance disorder may occur in different situations and may have various causes. You can feel dizzy, floaty, unsteady, have blurred vision, suffer disorientation, confusion, faintness or vertigo and even panic or fear. These may happen regardless of the position of the body – lying or standing up. Responsible for the body sense of balance is a structure in the inner ear called the labyrinth, bearing the name due to its specific maze resemblance. The labyrinth is a combination of tissue and bone and is very delicate and complex. It comprises different parts including the semicircular canals and otolithic organs (both in charge of balance) and the cochlea, which is in control of hearing. Together the vestibular and the visual system let the body know its position with respect to earth and gravity and coordinate in such a way so that there is no blurring of objects when moving. The muscles and joints in the body assist in keeping an upright or sitting position via special sensory receptors.

Does hearing loss affect balance?

Hearing loss by itself does not cause balance disorders but problems with the inner ear responsible for the hearing and vestibular system may. This means that hearing loss can occur together with balance impairment symptoms and indicate an underlying condition. Common such symptoms, besides vertigo and dizziness, are nausea, diarrhoea, fluctuating heart rate and blood pressure, depression or anxiety.

Causes for balance disorders

The cooperation of multiple organs result in balance control and the ears play an active part in this system. Thus, problems with the inner ear along with other causes may contribute to a balance disorder. The most common include:
  • ear infections,
  • blood circulation problems in the inner ear,
  • head injury,
  • tumours,
  • medications,
  • arthritis,
  • eye muscle imbalance,
  • low blood pressure.
To determine the right reason for a balance disorder, you are likely to be directed to an ENT specialist to perform some tests and check if the problem is in the ear (or most specifically in the inner ear). There are some ear infections, such as labyrinthitis that can lead to vertigo and hearing loss at the same time or Ménière's disease that causes vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus and a feeling of fullness in the ear. The problem, however, may be due to medication such as ototoxic drugs or certain types of antibiotics and a possible solution may be a change in the treatment.

Free Online Hearing Test

It's always worth checking your hearing, whether you believe you may be suffering from hearing loss or not. You can take our completely free online hearing test. The hearing check is free, takes three minutes to complete, and you will receive your results instantly. You can take the test in the comfort of your own home. You do not need to book an appointment or register for a time slot; all you need are some headphones, a few spare minutes, and a valid email address.

About Hearing Direct

We are one of the world's leading hearing aid specialists. HearingDirect offers a wide range of affordable products, as well as information resources to help improve the quality of life for the hard of hearing. We sell: Don't forget to like our Facebook Page

Author: Joan McKechnie

Image of Joan McKechnieAfter qualifying as a Speech-Language Pathologist and Audiologist Joan has spent most of her 20 year career in hearing-care related roles. She has a wealth of experience within the hearing aid and hearing rehabilitation fields and has worked in manufacturing environments with two hearing aid companies helping to develop products and roll out new technologies. Joan has been involved with Hearing Direct since its launch and enjoys the online retail environment which seeks to provide easier access to hearing products and accessories. She is HCPC registered. Read Joan's full bio here.

Related Articles

Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids? (Updated 2020)

01 December, 2020 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

Vibrating Alarm Clock Review 2020

23 October, 2020 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

What's the Difference between Behind The Ear and In The Ear Hearing Aids?

02 October, 2020 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

Buying Hearing Aids: 20 Things You Should Know

24 September, 2020 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

Best Phones for the Hard of Hearing

17 September, 2020 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

What to Expect when Wearing a Hearing Aid for the First Time

23 April, 2020 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

What to Expect when Wearing a Hearing Aid for the First Time

23 April, 2020 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

Protect Your Hearing During Yard Work

22 April, 2020 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

Receiver-In-Ear Versus Behind-The-Ear Hearing Aids Explained

17 April, 2020 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

Hearing Loss in One Ear

16 March, 2020 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

Hearing Loss in One Ear

16 March, 2020 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

Hearing Loss in One Ear

16 March, 2020 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

Bone Anchored and Other Hearing Aids

16 March, 2020 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

Bone Anchored and Other Hearing Aids

16 March, 2020 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

Cleaning your Hearing Aids

13 March, 2020 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

What is Unilateral Hearing Loss?

02 March, 2020 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

What is Unilateral Hearing Loss?

02 March, 2020 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

What is Unilateral Hearing Loss?

02 March, 2020 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

What is the difference between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss?

27 February, 2020 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

What is the difference between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss?

27 February, 2020 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

What is the difference between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss?

27 February, 2020 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

What you need to know about Itchy Ears

30 January, 2020 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

What you need to know about Itchy Ears

30 January, 2020 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

What you need to know about Itchy Ears

30 January, 2020 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

How to Pop your Ears Safely and other Ear Popping problems

12 November, 2019 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

How to Pop your Ears Safely and other Ear Popping problems

12 November, 2019 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

How to Pop your Ears Safely and other Ear Popping problems

12 November, 2019 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

8 Causes of Ringing in the Ears

29 October, 2019 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

8 Causes of Ringing in the Ears

29 October, 2019 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

How Much does a Hearing Aid Cost?

23 September, 2019 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

5 tips for keeping your hearing aid safe in cold weather

24 January, 2019 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

Black Friday Deals From Hearing Direct 2018

20 November, 2018 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

Black Friday Deals From Hearing Direct 2018

20 November, 2018 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

Do Ear Wax Removal Candles Work?

13 November, 2018 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

Do Ear Wax Removal Candles Work?

13 November, 2018 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

5 Reasons You May Have Clogged Ear

09 November, 2018 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

5 Reasons You May Have Clogged Ear

09 November, 2018 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

5 Reasons You May Have Clogged Ear

09 November, 2018 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

Devices for the Hard of Hearing in the Home and Workplace

05 November, 2018 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

Devices for the Hard of Hearing in the Home and Workplace

05 November, 2018 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

Hearing Aid Insurance

20 October, 2018 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

Top Wearable Technology For Hard Of Hearing

16 October, 2018 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

Tips For Unblocking Your Ears

08 October, 2018 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

Tips For Unblocking Your Ears

08 October, 2018 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

Tips For Unblocking Your Ears

08 October, 2018 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

Tips For Unblocking Your Ears

08 October, 2018 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

Hearing Aid Manufacturers

05 October, 2018 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

Hearing Aid Manufacturers

05 October, 2018 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

Human Hearing Range

07 September, 2018 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

Human Hearing Range

07 September, 2018 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

Hearing Amplifiers vs. Hearing Aids

21 August, 2018 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

Ménière's Suitable Hearing Aids

17 August, 2018 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

Ménière's Suitable Hearing Aids

17 August, 2018 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

Ménière's Suitable Hearing Aids

17 August, 2018 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

Ménière's Suitable Hearing Aids

17 August, 2018 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

Is Wearing Ear Plugs At Night A Good Idea?

14 August, 2018 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

Is Wearing Ear Plugs At Night A Good Idea?

14 August, 2018 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

Is Wearing Ear Plugs At Night A Good Idea?

14 August, 2018 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

Is Wearing Ear Plugs At Night A Good Idea?

14 August, 2018 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

Waterproof Hearing Aids: What You Need To Know

13 August, 2018 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

Waterproof Hearing Aids: What You Need To Know

13 August, 2018 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...

Bluetooth Hearing Aids & How To Enhance Your Listening Experience

13 August, 2018 | ArenaCommerce Collaborator
The Vestibular System (attribution: NASA) Hearing loss is a serious and specific condition that affects a great part of a pe ...