It’s not just your legs and balance
When people think about fall prevention, they think about leg strength, balance exercises, and safe footwear. And those are important — but here’s what most people don’t realize:
Your eyes and ears are just as important when it comes to staying steady and avoiding falls.
As a physical therapist, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve walked into someone’s home here in Grand Rapids, done a balance assessment, and realized that their legs weren’t the main problem — their vision or hearing was.
So today, let’s dig into the connection between your senses and your stability — and what you can do to make sure they’re not silently increasing your risk of falling.
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The Science Behind Balance
Your balance depends on three systems working together:
● Vision: Your eyes send signals to your brain about where you are in space.
● Vestibular system (inner ear): This controls spatial awareness and head movement.
● Proprioception: Your muscles and joints tell your brain where your body is and how it’s moving.
When your vision or hearing starts to decline — even a little — your brain has less information to work with. That’s when slips, trips, and wobbles become more likely.
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Vision and Falls: What the Research Says
According to the CDC, vision changes double the risk of falling in adults over 65. Why? Because your vision helps you:
● Spot obstacles like curbs, rugs, or pets.
● Judge distances and depth.
● Maintain balance when the environment changes, like walking from a sunny sidewalk into a dim hallway.
Even small changes — like needing a new glasses prescription — can increase your fall risk.
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Common Vision Issues That Increase Fall Risk
● Cataracts: Cloudy lenses blur your vision and reduce contrast.
● Macular degeneration: Makes it hard to see in the center of your vision.
● Glaucoma: Reduces peripheral vision — so you might not see that coffee table leg until it’s too late.
● Bifocals or progressive lenses: Can distort depth perception when you’re looking down, like when using stairs.
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Hearing and Falls: The Hidden Connection
Hearing loss doesn’t just make conversations harder — it can triple your risk of falling, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Why? A few reasons:
● Spatial awareness: Your ears help your brain figure out where you are in space.
● Reaction time: If you don’t hear what’s happening around you — like someone walking up behind you — you have less time to react.
● Cognitive load: When your brain is working harder to hear, it has fewer resources for balance and coordination.
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Signs Your Hearing Might Be Affecting Your Balance
● You find yourself asking people to repeat themselves often.
● You avoid crowded or noisy places.
● You’ve started feeling “off” or dizzy in busy environments.
● You’re feeling more unsteady when walking, especially in unfamiliar spaces.
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How to Protect Your Vision and Hearing
1. Schedule Regular Check-Ups
● Vision: Every 1–2 years for adults over 60.
● Hearing: Every 2–3 years, or sooner if you’ve noticed changes.
If you’re in Grand Rapids, here are some local options:
● West Michigan Eye Care Associates – Eye exams, updated prescriptions and 2 clinicians that specialize in low vision!
● Hearing Life Grand Rapids – Hearing assessments and device fittings.
● Grand Rapids Ophthalmology– Comprehensive eye care and cataract management.
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2. Make Simple Adjustments at Home
● Add bright, consistent lighting in hallways and stairways.
● Use night lights in bathrooms and bedrooms.
● Choose contrasting colors for stairs and flooring to improve depth perception.
● Minimize background noise when moving around if you have hearing loss — it keeps your brain from getting overwhelmed.
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3. Practice Balance and Strength Exercises
Even with great vision and hearing, your muscles and reflexes need regular training. A combo of the right balance, strength, and walking exercises will cut falls by up to 40%.
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4. Use the Right Tools
If you need hearing aids or glasses — wear them. Don’t let vanity or frustration keep you from staying safe. Proper devices don’t just help you hear and see — they help you stay steady.
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When to Call a Physical Therapist
Here’s when to bring in a professional like us at Vitality At Home:
● You’ve had a recent fall or a “near miss.”
● You feel unsteady walking in new or busy environments.
● You’ve noticed changes in your vision or hearing but haven’t adjusted your habits or prescriptions yet.
● You want a personalized exercise plan that supports your unique needs.
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A Local Success Story
I worked with a gentleman in Cascade who thought his balance issues were just “getting older.” We did a fall risk assessment, and I recommended a hearing exam. He hadn’t realized how much hearing loss was affecting his balance. After getting fitted with hearing aids and starting a tailored exercise program, his confidence skyrocketed.
His wife told me, “He’s back to walking the dog again — and I don’t have to hover behind him anymore.”
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Your Action Plan
If you want to protect your vision and hearing — and your balance — here’s where to start:
1. Book an eye exam if it’s been more than a year.
2. Schedule a hearing test, even if you think your hearing is “fine.”
3. Make simple home adjustments like better lighting and contrasting step edges.
4. Add balance and strength training to your weekly routine.
5. Get a fall risk assessment with a licensed physical therapist for a customized plan.
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Take the First Step
Your eyes and ears aren’t just for seeing and hearing — they’re critical tools for staying steady, confident, and independent.
Don’t wait for a close call to make changes. Call us at (616) 644-9155 or visit www.vitalityptgr.com to schedule your in-home fall risk assessment.
Together, we’ll make sure your senses — and your balance — are working together to keep you safe.