The majority of people believe that the function of the ears is to receive sound waves from the environment. However, located directly adjacent to the part of the ear that receives sound waves is another small structure that performs a completely different function: it helps to keep the individual upright.
The vestibular system is another sensory system within the human body, located alongside the organs responsible for hearing. The relationship between these two systems has been well-established within medical knowledge for many years; however, the information rarely enters everyday conversations. Therefore, people who experience a sudden loss of their hearing may also exhibit symptoms of an imbalance within the vestibular system, experiencing symptoms like stumbling upon walls, misjudging steps, or even experiencing the sensation of being seasick while standing upon solid ground.
The cause of the falls by those who suffer from hearing loss is not within their heads. Research has revealed that people who have hearing loss are at a significantly higher risk of falling than people who do not suffer from such a condition. One of the theories behind why this happens is that hearing provides the brain with constant information about the individual’s surroundings. Without such information from the ears, the brain must expend more mental effort to maintain a sense of balance.
These statistics are a quiet reminder of the impact of hearing loss on people’s lives beyond just their hearing. For a Hearing Test Near Me, contact www.imperialhearing.com/audiologist-near-me
The next time you encounter someone who dismisses the results of their hearing test by stating that “it’s just my ears”, it is worth pointing out that those ears are responsible for keeping them upright on their feet.