Hearing loss and falling
Kristi Murphy/Post Falls Hearing Aid Center | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 11 years, 9 months AGO
Research has shown that for people in their 40's and later, having a hearing loss triples the risk of falling down, regardless whether the hearing loss is moderate or severe. Possible explanations are that people who can't hear well might not have good awareness of their overall environment, making tripping and falling more likely. Another is cognitive load: the brain is overwhelmed with demands on its limited resources.
Gait and balance are things most people take for granted, but they are actually very cognitively demanding. If hearing loss imposes a cognitive load, there may be fewer cognitive resources to help with maintaining balance and gait.
If you feel that your loved one is having issues with balance, please take the time to get him or her checked.
Kristi Murphy, A.A.S, HIS. Post Falls Hearing Aid Center, 780 N. Cecil Road, Suite 103, Post Falls. (208) 457-8878.
ARTICLES BY KRISTI MURPHY/POST FALLS HEARING AID CENTER
Communication tips
Things you can do to help your family member with hearing loss to communicate better with those around them.
Shop local, buy local
Invest in your own community. Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community; they are less likely to leave, and more invested in the future of the community and the quality of service that goes along with the purchase. Buying local from the small business owner is what makes our town a "hometown."
Let's fix those old hearing aids!
A lot of us have hearing aids sitting in our drawers that, for whatever reason, are no longer being used in our ears, but are taking up space in a drawer instead.