Surprisingly, the most common way to die after age 65 is to fall down, according to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS). Older adults in California suffered over 118,161 falls in 2011, causing 25,469 deaths. Every 15 seconds, an older adult is seen in an Emergency Department for a fall-related injury. One of the leading causes of falling is issues with balance, and one of the leading causes of balance problems is an unhealthy vestibular system (the balance system of the inner ear).
Anatomical studies have shown that the number of nerve cells in the vestibular system decreases from about age 55. When the vestibular system is damaged by any cause, an individual may experience dizziness and balance problems. The vestibular system is a complex structure of fluid-filled tubes and chambers that constitutes part of the inner ear. Specialized nerve endings inside these structures detect the position and movement of the head and also detect the direction of gravity. The signals sent from the nerves of the vestibular system are critically important to the brain’s ability to control balance in standing and walking and also to control certain types of reflexive eye movements that make it possible to see clearly while walking or running.
Hearing isn’t just about your ears. It’s also about your brain, your relationships, and your ability to work. Being able to hear and pick up on the signals of life helps you function more fully in every way. Today, more than 36 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss, putting them at risk for depression, anxiety, isolation, and even dementia.
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But the good news is that 9 out of 10 people with hearing loss can be helped with hearing aids. For over 65 years, millions of satisfied customers have trusted Miracle-Ear® experts. Owners of San Diego North County Miracle Ear locations, John and Toni Merrill, are helping locals overcome vanity, expenses, and hearing loss denial with exciting research findings, new technologies in hearing aids, and free live speech mapping to verify hearing loss levels and hearing aid fit and function. Stop into one of their Miracle Ear locations in Encinitas, Carlsbad, or Escondido today.
