Their Vestibular Health Matters
Hearing loss and balance problems can go hand in hand. In fact, research links hearing difficulties to a significantly increased risk of falls in older adults. Even mild hearing loss is associated with a 2.4 times higher risk of falling, making regular hearing checkups and early intervention all the more important.
But what about hearing loss and balance issues in children? Most people don’t connect vestibular or balance problems with younger people, assuming it’s just an inevitable part of aging among adults. A significant percentage of children with hearing loss may, however, also have a balance disorder.
Read on to learn what this could mean for your child’s health — and how to keep their hearing and balance systems in check.
Understanding the Vestibular System
Balance, or equilibrium, is controlled by the vestibular system, involving the brain, eyes, inner-ear structures, skin, muscles, and more. The system helps keep you upright, coordinate movement, perceive motion, and maintain posture. It also works with crucial functions such as vision to help you make sense of your surroundings.
Vestibular problems can show up in different ways. It may include dizziness; falling; vertigo; disequilibrium; spatial disorientation; hearing problems; tinnitus; or difficulty seeing. Research also links vestibular dysfunction to cognitive issues, such as trouble paying attention or remembering things.
Connecting Hearing Loss and Balance Problems
The inner ear is complex, involving two systems that can be interrelated. Sometimes, damage to the hearing system is the sole symptom. Other times, the vestibular system and its related structures — for example, the semicircular canals and the saccule and utricle organs in the inner ear — become involved, potentially affecting balance functions.
An investigation published in the journal Ear and Hearing examined links between vestibular dysfunction and balance performance in children with hearing loss. It found that those with both hearing loss and vestibular issues tend to perform worse on balance measures compared to their peers with healthy hearing or those with hearing loss but regular vestibular function.
This suggests that hearing loss in children is often accompanied by vestibular issues, which can harm their balance health and overall physical development. Often, we might think children are just clumsy, when instead it may be something more. Investigating their balance system isn’t necessarily always thought of by parents and pediatricians.
Identifying Causes and Symptoms
Several factors can contribute to vestibular dysfunction in children with hearing loss, including conditions potentially affecting both hearing and balance — for example, an infection or inner-ear abnormality. Other causes might involve problems such as medications that are damaging to the inner ear, leading to both hearing loss and balance issues.
Early detection of vestibular dysfunction in children with hearing loss is crucial. Comprehensive assessments should include audiological evaluations to determine the degree and type of hearing loss. In addition, vestibular testing would assess the balance function to help identify any potential issues.
Children may not recognize vestibular issues, assuming their experience is normal. Instead of reporting dizziness, they may show frequent falls, delayed motor skills, or avoidance of physical activity. Subtle signs like these highlight the need for parents and providers to stay alert and ensure timely vestibular assessments.
Taking Action for an Improved Quality of Life
Balance issues can profoundly affect a child’s everyday life. They may experience difficulties in:
- Walking and running — unsteadiness can make these basic activities challenging, leading to a potentially higher risk of falls and injuries.
- Participating in sports — poor balance can hinder a child’s ability to enjoy their favorite sports and playground activities, potentially affecting social interactions and team play.
- Performing schoolwork — vestibular dysfunction could lead to trouble concentrating, which could affect reading and other academic activities.
Common Questions About Children and Balance
Parents often have questions about what could be causing their child’s balance issues — especially if symptoms seem unrelated to hearing. While vestibular disorders are one possible explanation, other health conditions can also contribute to dizziness or unsteadiness.
For instance, can allergies make you dizzy? In some cases, yes. Allergies can cause inflammation and fluid buildup in the middle or inner ear, which can impact balance. Children with seasonal or chronic allergies may complain of dizziness or lightheadedness, especially during allergy season.
Another common concern: can a sinus infection make you dizzy? Sinus infections can lead to inflammation and pressure changes that affect the ears and vestibular system. When the sinuses are blocked, it can interfere with normal ear function, which in turn may lead to dizziness or imbalance.
TMJ disorders — problems with the jaw joint — are another possible contributor. You might wonder, can TMJ cause dizziness? The answer is yes. The temporomandibular joint is located close to the ear, and inflammation or misalignment can affect nearby structures involved in balance.
Sleep also plays an important role in vestibular health. Can lack of sleep cause dizziness? Absolutely. Poor sleep can lead to fatigue, reduced brain function, and difficulty maintaining balance. Children who don’t get adequate sleep may show more signs of clumsiness or have trouble focusing, which can be misinterpreted as behavioral rather than medical.
It’s important to consider all potential causes of dizziness in children and not dismiss their symptoms. In addition to hearing and vestibular assessments, pediatricians may recommend allergy testing, sinus evaluations, jaw assessments, or a sleep study, depending on the full clinical picture.
Ultimately, getting to the root cause of balance difficulties can empower families to pursue the right interventions — whether it’s managing allergies, treating an infection, correcting jaw alignment, or simply improving sleep hygiene.
The Good News?
Hearing and balance problems in children can be effectively managed, helping them lead empowered lives. Treatment involves a multidisciplinary approach, potentially involving physical therapy to help improve coordination, occupational therapy for safe management of daily activities, and effective hearing solutions such as hearing aids or cochlear implants.
As many as 80% of kids with hearing loss may also have a vestibular issue. Children who participate in sports should be considered high risk for vestibular concussions and should be checked periodically for signs and symptoms. Help protect children through regular hearing evaluations, vestibular checkups, and personalized care with an audiologist.
If you want to discover more about dizziness, loss of balance, and vertigo, we invite you to visit Trinity Hearing & Balance online to learn more.
It’s time to take control of vestibular health. We’re standing by when you’re ready.
For an appointment, contact Trinity Hearing & Balance today!