Hearing

Balance and the Inner Ear

Philip C. Griffin, Au.D

Audiologist

While not always included as a risk factor for falls, hearing loss can increase the chance of falling.  Related to the risks posed by loss of balance and inner ear problems, hearing disorders range from missing certain high-frequency sounds to a complete loss of hearing.  Hearing impairment affects 1 in 3 adults over 65 years of age, and is the third most common chronic condition among the elderly, behind arthritis and high blood pressure.

Some signs of hearing loss:

  • Trouble hearing people talking over the phone
  • Difficulty following conversations with a group of people
  • Often asking people to repeat what they said
  • Turning up the television volume loud enough so that others complain
  • Background noise interfering with hearing

Some causes of hearing loss:

  • Medication
  • Virus or disease
  • Head injury
  • Family history
  • Noise-related (loud music, firecrackers, motorcycles)

Two common types of hearing loss in older people:

  • Tinnitus causes a hissing or ringing noise in your ear. It can also signal other health problems, such as high blood pressure or allergies. The cause is often hard to determine, but it could eventually could go away, come and go, or become permanent.
  • Presbycusis comes on slowly with age. It often runs in families and affects hearing in both ears. The degree of loss can also be different with each person.

Ear wax build-up can often block sounds, but can be removed with ear drops, or other treatments recommended by your doctor.  Because severe damage can be done to the ear, including puncturing an eardrum, by inserting cotton swabs or other objects, it’s vital to have your ears examined by a doctor or other health professional first.

Resources

  1. American Tinnitus Association
  2. Hearing Loss Association of America

References

  1. Healthy People 2010. Hearing health progress review. http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/healthyhearing/what_hh/progress_review_04.asp. October 20, 2004. Accessed October 26, 2009.
  2. U.S. Preventative Services Task Force Screening for Hearing Impairment. In: Guide to clinical preventative services: a report of the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force. 2nd ed. Baltimore, Md: Williams & Wilkins, 1996:393-405.