If you’ve started to notice that climbing stairs feels less sure-footed, that getting up quickly sometimes leaves you momentarily unsteady, or that walking on uneven ground takes more concentration than it used to, there are well-understood reasons why. Balance does change with age. Our Balance Specialist, Shreya Tiwari, explains how understanding what’s happening can make those changes feel less alarming and help you recognise when it might be worth getting some support.
Why does the inner ear affect balance as we get older?
Deep inside each ear sits the vestibular system: a network of fluid-filled canals and sensory cells that constantly monitors your head’s position and movement. It sends that information to the brain, which uses it, together with input from your eyes and your muscles, to keep you upright and steady.
With age, the sensory cells in the vestibular system gradually become less sensitive, and the signals they send to the brain become slightly less precise. In most people this happens slowly enough that the brain compensates, but over time the buffer shrinks. Small challenges to balance that a younger body would barely register, such as a loose paving stone, a momentary stumble or stepping off a kerb, become more noticeable.
How do the brain and nervous system play a role?
Balance isn’t just about the ears. The brain has to receive signals from the vestibular system, the eyes, and the body’s joints and muscles, and process all of it quickly enough to keep you steady.
As we age, that processing slows and reflexes become less sharp. If you start to lose your balance, the correction that once happened automatically takes a little longer. This is part of why falls become more common in older age, and why recovery from a stumble can feel harder than it once did.
What role do muscles and joints play?
The third piece of the puzzle is something called “proprioception”, the body’s sense of where it is in space, fed by receptors in the muscles, joints and feet. As muscle mass declines with age and joints become stiffer, the quality of that information also diminishes.
The brain draws on all three sources to stay balanced: the vestibular system, the eyes, and proprioception. When each of those sources becomes a little less reliable at the same time, the combined effect is more noticeable than any single change would be on its own.
Does this mean poor balance is inevitable?
Not entirely. While age-related changes to the balance system are normal and gradual, how much they affect day-to-day life varies considerably from person to person. Staying physically active, maintaining muscle strength, and addressing any underlying vestibular issues early can all help.
Vestibular rehabilitation is one of the most effective options available. It uses targeted exercises to help the brain adapt to changes in the balance system, improving communication between the inner ear, the eyes and the muscles, and training the brain to work more effectively with the signals it’s still receiving clearly.
Many people who complete a course of vestibular rehabilitation feel more stable and more confident on their feet, and less anxious about everyday activities. For older adults in particular, a meaningful reduction in fall risk can make a real difference to independence and quality of life.
If balance changes are affecting your confidence or limiting what you feel comfortable doing, it’s worth finding out whether vestibular rehabilitation could help. Shreya, our Vestibular Specialist at angli-EAR Hearing, offers a free 15-minute Vestibular and Balance Health Check as a no-pressure first step, available in person, by phone, or on video call.
Frequently asked questions
Is it normal for balance to get worse as you get older?
Yes, some change in balance is a normal part of ageing. The vestibular system, the nervous system and the muscles all become less efficient over time. That said, significant unsteadiness or frequent dizziness isn’t something to dismiss as simply getting older. It’s worth having assessed.
Can you improve balance in older age?
Yes. Vestibular rehabilitation, balance exercises and staying physically active can all help the brain and body adapt. Many people see meaningful improvements with the right support.
What is vestibular rehabilitation?
Vestibular rehabilitation is a form of therapy using specific exercises to improve balance, reduce dizziness and help the brain compensate for changes in the vestibular system. It’s carried out by a trained specialist and tailored to each person’s needs.
When should I see someone about balance problems?
If balance difficulties are affecting your confidence, limiting your activities, or you’ve had a fall or near-miss, it’s a good idea to seek an assessment. Shreya’s free 15-minute Vestibular and Balance Health Check at angli-EAR Hearing is a good place to start.
