Sometimes, when you’re suffering from a particular condition, you also end up experiencing other symptoms alongside it. This is the case for hearing loss and vertigo. What people may not know is that hearing loss doesn’t just affect one’s ability to hear. It can also compromise their sense of balance. To go further into the relationship between the two, here’s all you need to know.
What Is Vertigo?
Many people may think that vertigo is a medical condition, but it is actually just a symptom. So, it can be experienced by people suffering from different conditions.
Vertigo is mostly characterised by a sensation that the environment around you is spinning. It is often triggered by a sudden and quick movement of the head. Vertigo can be barely noticeable at times. But sometimes, it can be so severe that a person suffering from it finds difficulty keeping their balance and even doing everyday tasks.
What Is Hearing Loss?
Hearing loss is something that can affect many people and can be experienced in a wide range. Despite what many people may think, hearing loss does not automatically equate to deafness. It just means a person does not meet the hearing thresholds of 20 dB in either ear.
When a person is “hard of hearing”, it can mean their hearing loss falls anywhere under the range of mild to severe. A hard of hearing person can still communicate through spoken language, especially with the help of hearing aids and other assistive devices.
But when a person is deaf, that means their hearing loss is quite profound. They may have very limited hearing abilities or have no hearing at all. In this case, they would often communicate using sign language.
How Are Vertigo and Hearing Loss Connected?
When a person is experiencing vertigo, their sense of balance is often affected. And the human body’s balance system typically relies on a system of bones and tissues in the inner ear.
In the inner ear, there is the cochlea. This is the part of the ear that holds the hearing nerve. Near the cochlea, you can find the otolithic organs and semicircular canals that are responsible for a person’s sense of balance. Since these are quite close to the hearing nerve, hearing loss can often result in balance problems.
While vertigo can come hand in hand with hearing loss, having one does not always mean having the other. It is still possible to have hearing loss and yet not experience vertigo, and vice versa.
However, if you have hearing loss and constantly experience vertigo, you may have Ménierè’s disease. This ear condition can affect the part of your inner ear that maintains your sense of balance. The disease can cause a build-up of fluid in that part of the ear, making it swollen. This then leads to feelings of dizziness and fluctuating hearing loss. If you are experiencing any of this, it’s best to see an expert to get the appropriate hearing health solutions.
Final Thoughts
The human ear isn’t just responsible for one’s ability to hear. It is also where your sense of balance is maintained. So, hearing loss can sometimes mean a compromised sense of balance leading to vertigo. If this is something you experience often, it’s best to seek the proper hearing care solutions from a trusted professional.
Conquer your hearing loss-induced vertigo with the help of CH Care. We are an independent, locally owned and operated business that offers quality hearing health solutions in Australia. We specialise in hearing assessments and hearing aid fitting and maintenance. Book an appointment now!