Question: Is the tendency for falling greater when you have hearing loss or is this an age-related concern?
Answer: The connection between hearing loss and falls is interesting. Hearing loss is largely untreated, and the tendency for falls may be a symptom of hearing loss. Recent studies confirm that hearing loss is a significant factor in incident falls, and even a mild hearing loss made patients nearly three times as likely to have reported a fall in the prior year. These studies suggest hearing and balance are related, and the effects of hearing loss are associated with the mental load for understanding conversation and shared attention.
Hearing loss may also impact awareness of the body’s position to objects and impair skills required for posture and body control, throwing the body off balance.