As we age, our risk of falling increases. In fact, around one in three adults over 65 experiences at least one fall a year. For those aged over 80, that figure rises to one in two. Falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospital admissions among older adults in the UK and can have serious consequences for health, independence, and wellbeing.
At Hearing Healthcare Practice, many of our patients ask whether there’s a connection between hearing loss and balance problems, and whether hearing aids can help. Here’s what current research shows.
Does Hearing Loss Increase the Risk of Falling?
There’s growing evidence that hearing loss is associated with an increased risk of falls:
- A 2025 review published in NPJ Primary Care Respiratory Medicine concluded that older adults with hearing loss were 2.4 times more likely to experience a fall than those without hearing loss.
Source: Click here to read the evidence - A 2016 systematic review in The Laryngoscope also found that hearing impairment was associated with poorer postural control and a higher incidence of falls.
Source: Click here to read the evidence
Why might this be? Several theories have been suggested:
- The inner ear plays a role in both hearing and balance, so deterioration in one area could affect the other.
- Hearing loss increases cognitive load, if your brain is working harder to hear, it may have fewer resources left to maintain balance.
- Reduced hearing may also impair spatial awareness, making people less able to detect movement or environmental hazards.
Do Hearing Aids Improve Balance and Prevent Falls?
Maybe… but the science is mixed.
Some studies have found potential benefits:
- A 2014 study from Washington University suggested that sound input through hearing aids may provide spatial cues that help people stay balanced.
Source: Click here to read the evidence - A Purdue University report from early 2024 followed new hearing aid users over three years and found a 13% reduction in falls.
Source: Click here to read the evidence - A 2025 paper linked to The Lancet suggested that best-practice hearing interventions (including hearing aids) may help reduce fall risk, although more evidence is needed. Source: Click here to read the evidence
But other studies indicate less benefit:
- A large 2022 study using data from the U.S. Health and Retirement Study found that although hearing loss increased the risk of falls, using hearing aids did not significantly reduce that risk once other factors were adjusted for.
Source: Click here to read the evidence - A 2024 study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society also found no consistent evidence that hearing aid use reduces falls.
Source: Click here to read the evidence
What Does This Mean for You?
To summarise:
- Hearing loss has a well-established association with increased fall risk.
- However, there’s no universal agreement that hearing aids, on their own, reduce that risk, though they may offer benefits for some individuals.
- Importantly, hearing aids can significantly improve quality of life by enhancing communication, confidence, and social engagement. This may indirectly reduce the likelihood of falls in some people.
Some Final Thoughts
At Hearing Healthcare Practice in Harpenden, we believe in taking a whole-person approach to hearing health. If you or a loved one has noticed hearing changes, or experienced a recent fall, we recommend a comprehensive hearing assessment as part of a wider health check.
To learn more about how hearing health fits into your overall wellbeing, please BOOK AN APPOINTMENT or contact us on 01582 767218.