Can Hearing Aids Help with Vertigo or Balance?

Can Hearing Aids Help with Vertigo or Balance Issues?

90 million Americans seek treatment for vertigo, dizziness, and balance issues. In fact, these symptoms are the second most common reported to doctors. For many, vertigo or balance issues can be quite debilitating. If you are experiencing these symptoms, you may be wondering if hearing aids can help. Read on to learn more about the current research regarding vertigo/balance issues and hearing aids.

What is Vertigo and What Does it Have to Do with the Ear?

Vertigo is a condition that affects your balance and sense of equilibrium. It can cause you to feel unsteady or off-balance, and it can also make you feel like you're spinning or moving even when you're not. Vertigo can be caused by several different things, including problems with your inner ear, head injuries, and certain medical conditions.
 
The inner ear handles balance and hearing, so any damage to it can lead to problems.

How Does the Ear and Hearing Affect Balance?

The ear and hearing are integral to balance. The ear handles collecting sound waves and translating them into electrical signals that the brain can understand. These signals allow us to sense where sounds are coming from, as well as how far away they are. The hearing process then helps us decide the direction of a sound by interpreting the pitch, volume, and timbre of the sound.
 
All this information is used by the brain to create a mental image of our surroundings. This allows us to maintain our balance when we are walking or standing. If there is a disruption in any of the processes involved in hearing or balance, it can lead to difficulties with balance and coordination.

Hearing Aids Improve Balance

If you have hearing loss, you may also experience problems with balance. This is because the two senses work together. When you can't hear well, your brain must work harder to keep you balanced.
 
Hearing aids can help improve your balance by making it easier for you to hear what's going on around you. This can help reduce the amount of work your brain has to do to stay balanced and can make it easier for you to stay upright and steady when walking or standing.

Hearing Aids Help with Vertigo

Vertigo is a condition that can cause you to feel dizzy and off balance. It can be a symptom of other health issues, or it can occur on its own. Symptoms of vertigo can include:

• Dizziness
• Loss of balance
• Feeling like you're spinning or moving
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sweating
• Anxiety
• Panic attacks

Hearing aids are commonly prescribed to people with vertigo since they amplify sounds and improve sensory input for a more stable environment. This can be especially beneficial for people with chronic or severe vertigo.
 
If you are experiencing symptoms of vertigo, speak with Elite Hearing Centers about whether a hearing aid may be right for you. We can help determine the benefit you may receive from a hearing aid or whether there is something else to consider regarding your hearing and balance concerns.