We are very excited to announce that we are expanding the scope of the services we provide. Over the years we have seen the negative effects a fall can have on our patients including but not limited to hospitalization, head trauma, social isolation, fear, downward spiral of health problems and even end of life. Wouldn’t it be good to know if you are at risk of falling so you could incorporate intervention measures beforehand?
We are partnering with Topple Diagnostic to complete balance testing during our Functional Hearing Assessment as well as with our patients that have initiated hearing treatment. Topple’s Safe-T innovative software and hardware system is designed to bridge the gap between hearing loss, medical conditions, balance function, and fall risk. By providing data-driven insights, Safe-T helps us together take proactive steps towards better balance and fall prevention.
The balance evaluation itself only takes a few minutes. A board with many sensors is connected to a computer that measures your balance in three different parameters: eyes open, eyes closed and standing on an uneven surface (foam platform). From this information, we hope to help you make the decisions to initiate hearing treatment, schedule an appointment with a physical therapist or enroll in an exercise program to strengthen your legs and core to prevent a potential fall.
What do our ears (auditory system) have to do with our balance? As audiologists, Dr. Mussler and I have specialized training in assessing and treating the auditory and balance systems located in the ear. The ear can be described in three parts: the outer, middle and inner ear.
The outer ear is made up of the pinna (the part of your ear you see on the side of your head) and the ear canal. The outer ear gathers sound and helps determine where that sound is coming from.
The middle ear starts at your eardrum and includes the three tiny bones called the ossicles. Sound will cause the eardrum and ossicles to move, sending the information to the inner ear.
The inner ear is home to the cochlea and the main parts of the vestibular system. The vestibular system is one of the sensory systems that provides your brain with information about balance, motion, and the location of your head and body in relation to your surroundings.
Your brain uses this information from your ears in addition to the information it receives from your eyes and other body parts (e.g., muscles, joints, skin) to help keep you in balance. The vestibular system, just like the auditory (hearing) system is affected by, but not limited to, the natural aging process, noise exposure, medications, chronic health issues and trauma. Improving your visual system by wearing your glasses and removing cataracts are important. Keeping your body strong and healthy is critical to reducing our likelihood of a fall. By improving your hearing system (wearing or getting hearing devices), you improve your balance system as well.
If you would like to assess your balance system to see if you are at a higher risk for falling, give Taylor, Jamie or Diane a call at 704-633-0023 to schedule an appointment. Remember to visit our website at www.hearingsolutionsofnc.com. Dr. Mussler, Jane, Cheryl and I look forward to seeing you soon.