Increased Likelihood of Falling
When Hearing Loss Affects More Than Just Ears
The Overlooked Risk
When most people think of hearing loss, they imagine missed conversations or turning up the TV. But few realize that untreated hearing loss is strongly linked to a higher risk of falls. In fact, even a mild untreated hearing loss can triple the risk of falling compared to those with normal hearing.
​
Falls are one of the leading causes of injury in older adults — and preventing them is critical to staying independent and healthy.
Why Hearing Loss Affects Balance and Safety
Researchers have uncovered several reasons why hearing loss increases fall risk:
​
-
Reduced spatial awareness: Hearing helps us orient in space — detecting footsteps, approaching vehicles, or environmental cues. Without those subtle sounds, people are more likely to misjudge their surroundings.
-
Brain overload: When the brain works overtime to process distorted sound, it diverts attention from balance and coordination. This “cognitive load” makes multitasking — like walking while talking — more dangerous.
-
Shared pathways: The inner ear houses both the cochlea (for hearing) and the vestibular system (for balance). Damage to one system often affects the other.
The Research Evidence
-
A landmark Johns Hopkins study found that even a 25 dB hearing loss (roughly the level of mild loss) tripled fall risk.
-
The greater the hearing loss, the higher the likelihood of falls — showing a clear dose-response relationship.
-
Treating hearing loss helps restore environmental awareness and reduces the risk of accidents.
Everyday Consequences
In daily life, untreated hearing loss may cause someone to:
​
-
Miss cues like a warning shout, a car approaching, or a pet underfoot
-
Lose focus when walking in crowded or uneven areas
-
Feel less confident moving around in low-light or noisy environments
​
Over time, this can lead to fear of falling — which itself increases the risk, as people move more stiffly and avoid activity.
How Hearing Treatment Improves Safety
The good news is that hearing care makes a measurable difference:
​
-
Improved awareness: Hearing aids amplify environmental sounds, making it easier to detect potential hazards.
-
Reduced brain strain: With less effort spent decoding speech, the brain has more capacity to maintain balance and coordination.
-
Boosted confidence: Patients often move more freely and safely when they know they can hear what’s happening around them.
💡 Did You Know?
Even a mild untreated hearing loss — often unnoticed by the person — can triple the risk of falling.