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Spotlight:  Hearing & Balance in the News

Lake

September 18, 2024

A growing body of research suggests that hearing loss contributes to falls, and that hearing aids can be a useful tool for prevention.  Read more.

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Healthy Hearing

Los Angeles, California

Seniors Socializing

February 26, 2024

The Absolute Basics of Talking with People with Hearing Loss

“These important tips are so simple – and people with hearing loss look so normal – that they’re frequently forgettable.”  

Read more.

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Hearing Health & Technology

Tuscon, Arizona

Love

February 7, 2025

The Strong Link Between Ear and Heart Health

The connection between ear and heart health is profound, illustrating how the cardiovascular system influences hearing health in remarkable ways.  Read more.

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Avicenna Cardiology

New York, New York

Article 1

Hearing Loss and Falls:  Why They're Connected

Healthy Hearing | Los Angeles, California

Posted here September 18, 2024

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For older people, falls are a big fear. As we age, our hearing and balance naturally decline. More than one in four Americans age 65 or older falls every year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports. Even if you’re not hurt, a tumble is frightening. People tend to retreat to their chairs, which sets off a bad cycle: You move less, you become weaker, and are more likely to fall again.

Here’s a simple test of your risk: Stand on one leg. In a small study of women in their 70s, the chance of a hip fracture dropped by 5 percent for every second they could stand on one leg with their eyes open.   

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Hearing and balance: How they're connected

How does hearing fit in? In the ear, balance and hearing are directly connected, sharing a common nerve pathway to the brain.

What you hear (and don’t hear) directly affects your balance, according to a research overview led by Anat Lubetzky, PhD, assistant professor in the Physical Therapy Department at New York University, with a team at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary. 

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This is especially important if your balance isn’t the best. “Most of us in the field believe that people with poor balance benefit a lot from auditory cues,” says Timothy Hullar, MD, a professor of otolaryngology at Oregon Health and Science University.

 

Why hearing loss matters

A 25-decibel hearing loss—equivalent to going from normal to mild hearing loss—triples your chance of falling according to a study of people aged 40 to 69. That’s when hearing loss often first develops and you’re less likely to guard against falls.

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Another study, from a team at the University of Michigan, analyzed data on nearly 115,000 seniors newly diagnosed with hearing loss (but otherwise healthy). It found that 13 percent had an injury in a fall within three years, compared to 7.5 percent of the general population their age.

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Reasons hearing loss may increase risk of falling

  1. Hearing taps your brain reserves.

    • If you’re concentrating harder to interpret sound, you may have less mental resource available for balance. "Gait and balance are things most people take for granted, but they are actually very cognitively demanding," says otologist Frank Lin, MD, PhD, from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

  2. Aging affects both hearing and balance. ​

    • Age-related hearing loss may be linked to declines in the vestibular sense, a set of receptors in your inner ear, which comes into play whenever you move your head. It’s also activated by the downward force of gravity, giving you a sense of where you are: your grounding. If you’ve ever had an infection of the inner ear, you’ll recall you were dizzy.

    • However, you don’t need to be dizzy to have vestibular issues. Some evidence suggests the vestibular sense may begin to decline at about the age of 40. More than a third of all Americans older than 40 are unable to pass a balance test—standing on foam with their eyes closed—that is linked to a higher risk of falling. (To test your balance, check out this test.)

    • Loud low-frequency sounds (think pounding drums) may damage the inner ear, over time affecting our balance (and hearing). 

    • To be clear, age-related hearing loss and inner ear problems are not the same thing and don't always occur simultaneously. “Many people with vestibular disorders have excellent hearing and not all people with hearing loss will have vestibular weakness,” Lubetzky says.

  3. Sounds help us balance.

    • If you try to balance on one leg in a yoga class, for example, your teacher will tell you to stare at one spot. Stable sounds may work the same way, Lubetzky explained, as a kind of “auditory anchor.” But you have to hear them.

    • This process may be especially important if you have hearing loss. For example, when people with hearing loss hear stable background sounds, their posture improves.

    • Balance arises from the contributions of several senses: vision, the coordination between our head and our eyes, our muscle and joint coordination—and, possibly, what we hear.

  4. Hearing loss is linked to mood.

 

Do hearing aids help prevent falls?

Most likely. A 2023 study shows that consistent use of hearing aids is associated with a lower risk of experiencing a fall in older adults with hearing loss. The research was conducted by University of Colorado-Anschutz Medical Campus.

The University of Michigan study found that a first-time hearing aid cut the risk of a fall-related injury by 13 percentage points in the next three years. 

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It’s possible that treating “hearing loss (with hearing aids or other implants) serves as a type of 'balance aid' like a cane," says otolaryngologist Maura Cosetti, MD, co-author of the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary study.

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The bottom line: If you’re concerned about your balance and you have hearing loss, hearing better may make a difference.

 

How to prevent falls

Keep moving. Walking, balance exercises and resistance exercises to strengthen muscles can keep seniors on their feet. You can build strength and improve your balance in as little as two 15-20 minute sessions a week, Finnish researchers report.

Staying active and exercising regularly helps keep your sense of balance healthy.

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Tai-chi classes, an ancient Chinese practice, are popular among older people. An hour of tai chi from one to three times a week can cut the risk of a bad fall by half, according to a review of 10 randomized controlled trials. The National Council on Aging recommends a program called “Tai Chi for arthritis” for older people. You may feel more comfortable in a tai chi (or any kind of class) if you can easily hear the teacher and converse with other students. Or consider a water aerobics class.

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If you do fall, strength-training will make you less to break a bone. Working out with resistance bands or weights or doing resistance exercises makes your bones denser and therefore stronger, which is important since hearing loss is also linked to osteoporosis. Squats, for example, built bone mass in a group of post-menopausal women with deteriorating bones in one study. Keep in mind it's a great idea to wear your hearing aids when exercising, too.

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When did you have your last eye checkup? Tint-changing lenses and bifocals are less appropriate for older people and you may need to change prescriptions. Another reason to keep up-to-date on vision loss? Studies indicate hearing and vision loss—known as dual sensory impairment—equals 'substantial' risk for dementia.

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Consider physical therapy, if you or your older loved one have trouble walking or getting up from a chair.

Lastly and perhaps most importantly, fall proof your home. Have you done a walk-through, making sure that the bottom and top of all stairs are well-lit and the carpeting and railing secure? Secure any loose carpeting, especially in hallways. Install grab bars near the toilet and bath or shower.

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For more information, follow this link to the parent site.

Article 2

The Absolute Basics of Talking with People with Hearing Loss

Hearing Health & Technology Matters  |  Tuscon, Arizona

Posted here February 26, 2025

Published February 19, 2023

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Get the person’s attention. Face them. Turn down background noise. Turn up the light-on-your face. Speak clearly at a normal pace, unless otherwise directed. Keep face clear of visual obstructions. Repeat when asked. Rephrase if necessary. One person speaks at a time. Breathe. 

 

The standard flow of conversation when no hearing loss is present does not use these rules. Hearing people can carry on conversations in dimly lit rooms with music in the background while reading their phone messages. Talking with us requires a few minor behavioral changes. And all of us – even we the people with hearing loss – forget the rules on occasion. We need constant reminding and the occasional refresher course is helpful.

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So, how do you talk with a person with hearing loss?

  1. With the same respect and courtesy that you accord to anyone.

  2. Ask the person what would work best for optimal communication. A fancy way of asking, “is this working for you?”

  3. Always have the person’s attention before starting to speak. If we didn’t hear the first half of the sentence, the second half isn’t going to make much sense.

  4. People with hearing loss need to see your face. The way you work your eyes, mouth, and facial muscles helps us understand the words you’re saying.

  5. Don’t be a bobble-head. If you can minimize head and body movement, that’s a big help to speechreading.

  6. Don’t speak too quickly, or we may ask you to slow down. Our real problem is whether we should tell you that you’re speaking too slowly. So we usually don’t. If you’re doing the slow-as-molasses thing because you think it helps us understand you better, it doesn’t. It makes us want to growl at you. But if you’re speaking slowly because that’s your standard pace, we just have to wait it out like everybody else.

  7. Do not shout. It hurts our ears. The title of Katherine Bouton’s book says it best: Shouting Won’t Help.

  8. Facial expressions and body language should match words. Don’t smile while saying sad things. And don’t look sad when you say you love us. We get confused.

  9. Once again: noise down, lights up.

  10. If asked, use assistive technology. We may use speech to text on our phones. Our motto is whatever works!

  11. A reminder – ask the person with hearing loss if the communication is working for them.

 

These are the basics of good communication which of course starts when people with hearing loss make their needs known. There are more advanced descriptions of effective communication out there – from other hearing loss writers, or in my books, but for now, this should do. So start talking!​​​​

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Learn more here.

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Article 3

The Strong Link Between Ear and Heart Health

Avicenna Cardiology  |  New York, New York

Posted here February 7, 2025

Published November 2024

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The cardiovascular system, comprising the heart and blood vessels, supplies oxygen and nutrients to every part of the body, including the inner ear. The inner ear is particularly sensitive to blood flow, as it contains delicate hair cells that are crucial for detecting sound and sending electrical signals to the brain. These cells rely on a steady supply of blood, making them vulnerable to issues caused by inadequate blood flow.

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In cases of poor circulation, these hair cells in the auditory system may be deprived of oxygen and nutrients, resulting in a higher risk of hearing loss. Therefore, good circulation plays a crucial role in both heart health and hearing.

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Heart disease, which includes conditions like coronary artery disease and heart failure, has a significant impact on hearing ability. Research has shown a strong link between cardiovascular health and hearing, suggesting that individuals with heart disease may have a higher risk of developing hearing impairment. When blood vessels become narrowed or blocked due to plaque buildup, the reduced blood supply to the inner ear can damage hair cells and lead to hearing loss.

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High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major risk factor for both heart disease and hearing impairment. High blood pressure damages blood vessels, affecting the delicate hair cells in the inner ear. With compromised blood flow, the cells responsible for hearing may begin to deteriorate, resulting in low-frequency hearing loss and other forms of hearing impairment.

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One way to maintain both a healthy heart and good hearing health is through cardiovascular exercise. Engaging in regular cardiovascular exercise, such as walking, running, or swimming, promotes good circulation, which is vital for a healthy cardiovascular system. Exercise reduces blood pressure, strengthens the heart, and improves blood flow to the ears, ensuring that hair cells receive the nutrients and oxygen they need to function well.

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A sedentary lifestyle is associated with an increased risk of heart problems, such as high blood pressure and coronary heart disease, both of which are linked to hearing loss. By including cardiovascular exercise in daily routines, individuals can improve circulation, reduce the risk of heart disease, and potentially protect their hearing.

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The impact of a heart attack on hearing health is often overlooked, yet it can lead to hearing impairment due to sudden, severe disruption in blood flow. During a heart attack, the body’s overall blood supply is affected, which can have immediate or long-term consequences for the ears and auditory system.

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Heart failure, where the heart cannot pump sufficient blood to meet the body’s needs, is another condition that can affect hearing. Poor blood circulation in individuals with heart failure deprives hair cells in the inner ear of the necessary nutrients and oxygen, resulting in hearing impairment.

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The connection between heart health and hearing is a powerful reminder of the body’s interconnected nature. Poor circulation, narrowed arteries, high blood pressure, and other cardiovascular issues can all impact hearing. By prioritizing a heart-healthy lifestyle, including cardiovascular exercise and regular health check-ups, individuals can support both heart and auditory health.

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Taking care of the heart through a balanced diet, regular exercise, and stress management not only protects against heart problems but also reduces the risk of hearing loss. As research advances, understanding the ear and heart connection continues to underscore the importance of good circulation for overall health and well-being. Protecting heart health today can help preserve hearing ability for years to come.

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The full article can be found here.

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