Watch Your Step

Spring is here but Mother Nature will likely still throw snow, ice, and rain our way, creating slippery conditions. Injuries due to falling are frequently suffered by older adults and generate billions in health care costs annually. There are many reasons why older adults are more prone to falls besides weather: weakness, medication side effects, vision problems, and slower reflexes. Even untreated hearing loss can increase the risk of falling!

A recent study done by Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and the National Institute of Aging found that hearing loss significantly increases the risk of falls for older people. Those with mild hearing loss were nearly three times more likely to have a history of falling.

It is thought that because people with hearing loss have less environmental awareness than people without hearing loss they are more prone to falls. Other researchers point to cognitive overload as a hindrance to balance. Simply put, this means that those with hearing loss are using more of their mental resources to hear and interpret speech and sounds, leaving fewer cognitive resources devoted to maintaining balance.

When it comes to health and safety, the importance of balance in older people cannot be underestimated. According to the Center for Disease Control, falls are the leading cause of accidental death in adults over the age of 65.
Help combat you and your loved one’s risk of falling by hearing at your best. A Living Sounds hearing professional can help!

Click here to consult our team or give us a call at 1-833-559-4327.

Christine Amero,
Client Care Representative