We often have patients ask us, “Can hearing aids lead to dizziness or balance problems?”
While it’s rare for hearing aids to cause dizziness, it is possible—but it’s temporary, and it typically resolves itself as you get used to wearing your hearing aids.
Like with any sort of helpful device (glasses are a good example), there’s a learning and adjusting period that takes place as you grow accustomed to wearing hearing aids.
Your hearing aids provide a world of sound that you haven’t heard in a while; it’ll be a little overwhelming at first, but you’ll soon be grateful to hear the world around you with clarity!
What Causes Dizziness With Hearing Aids?
Your hearing and your balance are connected by the labyrinth, a part of your inner ear that helps you hear and stay steady on your feet. With the help of your ears, you stay balanced.
After getting fitted with hearing aids, there’s a chance that you’ll feel slightly off-balance for a bit as you get used to hearing an assortment of new sounds. This off-balanced feeling should, however, fade with time as you wear your devices more often.
However, if your hearing aid is accidentally programmed to be too loud, or if the fit is uncomfortable, dizziness can occur. Pre-existing conditions like Meniere’s disease or a buildup of earwax can also lead to dizziness.
We encourage you to talk to your hearing care professional if you’re concerned about the hearing aid’s fit or programming, or other conditions that could be making you feel unsteady on your feet.
How to Manage Dizziness
If you’re dealing with dizziness after getting fitted with hearing aids, we recommend that you visit your audiologist to double-check the fitting and programming of your devices to ensure they fit your specific needs and prescription requirements.
Gradually increasing the amount of time you wear your devices each day can also help with adjusting to the world of new sounds you’re getting used to, keeping you from getting overwhelmed.
Regular maintenance of your hearing aids is also crucial to keeping them performing as needed and keeping you steady on your feet. Checking for earwax buildup on the devices and damage from water can make sure the fit stays secure and you don’t feel off-balance.
If you’re concerned about earwax buildup damaging your hearing aids, we can take a look at your devices and repair any issues.
If dizziness persists long after you get accustomed to your devices, or if you’re concerned about your ears after your hearing aids are fitted, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our team is ready and willing to help you address those worries with professional guidance and support.
Request a callback to get in touch with our team about your hearing or dizziness concerns, and we’ll get in touch as soon as we can to help. Alternatively, you can find your closest clinic and give us a call in:
Richland, WA: (509) 572-2444
Walla Walla, WA: (509) 876-0555
Pasco, WA: (509) 492-4951
