Balance | Hearing Ambassadors

Finding Your Feet

When you live with hearing loss, you might not expect difficulties with your balance. Yet, balance issues are surprisingly common for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. This is because the inner ear isn’t just responsible for hearing; it’s also home to the vestibular system, which helps us stay upright and steady on our feet. When your balance is affected, even slightly, it can lead to dizziness, unsteadiness, or a general lack of confidence when walking.

One of our ambassadors recently shared a brilliant insight about the balance exercise class that they attend:

“I’ve been taking balance exercise classes for HOH/deaf via Zoom, once a week, for five years now. Everyone in the class has hearing loss, so our classes are always captioned. Slowly, slowly I feel my balance and confidence have improved. I feel far more stable.”

So, in this article we ask whether balance exercises really work and can they help improve stability, mobility, and confidence.

Why Balance Exercises Matter

Photo by Monica Leonardi on Unsplash

Our ability to balance depends on input from our eyes, muscles, joints, and inner ears. If hearing loss is related to damage in the inner ear and vestibular system, the brain may be less able to interpret motion and body position, leading to a greater risk of falls.

This is especially important as we age: falls are one of the leading causes of injury in older adults. Studies show that targeted balance exercises can reduce the risk of falls, improve posture, and strengthen muscles, which also helps maintain independence.

What Do Balance Exercises Involve?

Balance exercises can range from very gentle movements to more challenging routines. Common exercises include:

Standing on one leg (near a wall or chair for support)
Heel-to-toe walking
Tai Chi or gentle yoga
Side leg raises
Marching in place
Sit-to-stand repetitions
Turning your head slowly side to side while walking

These exercises help train your body to respond better to shifts in movement and weight, and they can be modified for any age or ability.

Photo by Age Cymru on Unsplash

Can Balance Exercises Help People with Hearing Loss?

Yes—and there’s growing awareness of this. More and more classes, like the one our contributor mentioned, are being tailored specifically for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. These classes are often captioned, use visual cues, and allow extra time for instructions, which makes them more accessible and inclusive.

Even if your balance isn’t severely affected, regular practice can:

Improve your confidence when walking outdoors or on uneven surfaces.
Increase your muscle strength, which supports balance.
Help you feel more grounded and aware of your body’s movements.

How to Find a Class

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Local community centres or health charities often run classes for older adults or people with sensory loss.
Online platforms like Zoom are now offering accessible classes specifically for the HOH/deaf community.
Search for terms like “deaf-friendly balance class,” “accessible fitness,” or “vestibular rehab for hearing loss.”
Check with hearing support organisations or balance/dizziness charities—they may offer referrals or run their own classes.
Speak to a physiotherapist—they can create a tailored programme based on your needs.

A Final Word

Like our Facebook friend said:

“I can’t scientifically prove balance exercise is helpful, but it sure doesn’t hurt! And after a while, it’s fun.”

That’s exactly the point. If it feels good, improves your confidence, and gets you moving, then it’s already working!

So if your world has felt a little off-balance lately, why not give it a go? Whether you choose a group class or practice from the comfort of your living room, a few simple moves might help you feel more sure-footed and more empowered.

Find out more about Hearing Loss and Balance on our website here [Hearing Loss and Balance]

Where to Look for a Class

If you are interested in exploring balance classes—especially those suitable for people with hearing loss—here are some good places to start:

Online Classes (Zoom & On-Demand)

YouTube Channels
Try searching “balance exercises for seniors” or “vestibular rehab exercises.” Some videos are captioned or include visual-only instructions. Look for creators like NHS Balance Exercises, Later Life Training, or The Otago Exercise Programme.

Other Resources:

Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) [https://rnid.org.uk]
RNID doesn’t run classes directly but can help you find support groups or local organisations that do. They may also know of HOH-friendly fitness options.
Hearing Loss Association of America [https://www.hearingloss.org]
HLAA offers programs, events and a nationwide community of support that give people the tools to thrive with hearing loss.
Age UK [https://www.ageuk.org.uk]
Many local Age UK branches offer gentle exercise classes, including falls prevention and balance workshops. Call your local branch and ask about accessible classes.
Falls Prevention Services (via your GP or local NHS Trust)
If you’re experiencing balance issues, your GP can refer you to a falls prevention programme or a vestibular physiotherapist. Some services run group sessions specifically for people with sensory impairments.
Your Local Deaf Centre or Hearing Loss Charity
These centres often host community events and may offer or know of tailored movement sessions. Try searching “[Your County] Deaf Centre”

When the Lights Go Down – Why My Husband Struggles to Walk in the Dark

My husband Andrew is severely deaf, and like many people with hearing loss, that’s only part of the story. He also has balance problems. It’s something we live with every day—but it becomes especially obvious at night, when walking suddenly feels like a challenge most people wouldn’t think twice about.

It all started very suddenly, and frighteningly.

A Sudden Change That Changed Everything

Andrew caught a virus. Nothing too dramatic at first—just a bit under the weather. But then he went to bed and slept for 36 hours straight. When he woke up, everything had changed.

He couldn’t hear properly. In fact, his hearing was almost completely gone. Not long after, he began to experience dizzy spells. At the time, we didn’t fully connect the two symptoms—but we’ve since learned that they’re more closely related than we ever imagined.

Photo by Radvilas Seputis on Unsplash

Hearing and Balance Live Side by Side

Inside the inner ear is the cochlea, responsible for hearing, and right next to it is the vestibular system—the bit that helps us balance. When Andrew’s virus damaged his hearing, it affected his vestibular system too. That’s why he started feeling dizzy, unsteady, and unsure on his feet.

He didn’t have full-on vertigo, but he described it as “the world going round at an angle, whilst he stays still” He gets a terrible headache and feels nauseous. It wasn’t constant, but it came in waves—and it never truly went away. The dizziness eventually faded, but the balance issues remain.

How the Eyes Step In

Since then, Andrew has had to rely heavily on his eyesight to keep balanced. He watches the floor, the lines of buildings, shadows, railings—anything that helps his brain figure out which way is up. His eyes have become his second balance system.

But when the lights go down, that system struggles too. In the dark, there are fewer visual cues. The world becomes flat and uncertain. Walking down an unfamiliar path at night can feel like walking on marshmallows.

He slows down, sometimes stops completely, trying to get his bearings. It’s not fear—it’s instinct. His body is doing everything it can to stay upright and safe.

The Quiet Challenge of Walking

It’s easy to overlook just how tiring it is. The concentration needed to walk in the dark, when your balance is compromised and your ears no longer help, is immense. It’s not just physical—it’s mental and emotional. It can be frustrating and, at times, isolating.

Over time, we’ve adapted and we’ve both become more aware of how much extra effort these situations take.

Photo by Jacob Elliott on Unsplash

What We’ve Learned

Hearing loss is more than a loss of sound. It can also affect how we move, how we feel in space, and how safe we feel doing everyday things like walking.

Andrew’s experience isn’t unique. Many people with hearing loss—especially when it’s caused by damage to the inner ear—also experience balance difficulties. The connection is real, and it deserves more attention.

If someone you care about is struggling with both hearing and balance, know that it’s not in their imagination. These systems are intertwined. And when one fails, the other has to work harder.

A Little Understanding Goes a Long Way

So next time you see someone moving slowly, stopping to steady themselves, or hesitating in the dark, remember—they may be using every ounce of concentration just to stay balanced.

And sometimes, simply knowing that can make a world of difference.

ASHA (American Speech Language Hearing Association) have a great article about hearing and balance ==> ASAH Hearing and Balance

Hearing Ambassadors has lots of other interesting information about hearing loss. For example ==> How does it feel to have hearing loss