The inner ear isn’t just the seat of the auditory system; it’s the location of the main balance organ, as well. Because these two systems live so close together, they are intimately connected. This means that conditions that affect one may affect the other, and conversely, treating one can benefit the other. This principle applies to treating hearing loss.
A Tour of the Inner Ear
Deep inside the inner ear is a cluster of organs. Put together, these organs resemble a snail. Here are the main components:
- The cochlea. The spiral-shaped cochlea resembles a snail shell, and it is the main hearing organ. The nerve endings inside it react to sound waves and transmit them to the brain as electrical signals.
- The otolith organs. The two otolith organs are in the head of our snail. They are filled with fluid, with crystals suspended in the fluid. The crystals move as your body moves, which tells your brain how fast you’re moving and in what direction.
- The semicircular canals. Here are the snail’s antennae. These canals respond to your head’s movement. Each canal specializes in one direction: up and down (like nodding yes), right or left (like shaking your head no), and tilting sideways (like tilting your ear to your shoulder).
- The vestibulocochlear nerve. This is the nerve pathway that all the above organs share to send sensory information to the brain for processing.
The Role of an Audiologist
As a specialist in the inner ear, an audiologist is well-positioned to detect and diagnose issues with both hearing and balance. As it so happens that hearing and balance can be affected by the same conditions due to their proximity, audiologists are trained to watch for those conditions and have discussions about balance as necessary.
How Hearing Aids Improve Balance
The good news is that hearing aid use has been proven to lower fall risk. Here are some ways this works:
- Increased spatial awareness. Untreated hearing loss can affect our spatial awareness, making us more likely to startle or trip because we’re unaware of environmental hazards. With hearing aids, we’re able to be more attentive.
- Decreased mental fatigue. When we’re tired, fall risk goes up. And as it happens, untreated hearing loss can make you tired, as your brain needs to use more energy to make sense of what you hear. Hearing aids take on a lot of that mental load, increasing mental acuity.
- Managing comorbidities. Some conditions, such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), Ménière’s disease or labyrinthitis, include both balance issues and hearing loss as symptoms. If you’re using hearing aids to help with managing one of these conditions, the effect the condition has on balance will naturally be managed, as well.
Falls are a significant health concern, especially for adults aged 65 and older. If you’re concerned about your hearing, your balance or both, it’s wise to seek an audiologist’s help. Call us at Aspen Audiology today to learn more about how we can help you manage your hearing needs and fall risk.