As soon as you notice dizziness or loss of balance after wearing your hearing aids, one would start thinking about whether it is hearing aids that are to blame. In other words, hearing aids can cause dizziness; however, vertigo is not a common complication from hearing aids.

If you are experiencing slight discomfort after getting used to your hearing aids, then it might be because your brain needs some time to adapt to new sounds. It is possible, however, that there needs to be an adjustment to your hearing aids since they are too loud or don’t fit you properly.

But do not automatically think that your vertigo is caused by your hearing aids. Vertigo may be related to other causes such as the inner ear or even some health problems.

The Research on Dizziness and Balance

While wearing hearing aids may cause dizziness, it seems that such an effect does not occur quite often. For example, in a survey carried out in 2019, a total of 512 people who suffered from hearing loss were asked whether any of 32 physical, psychological, and social problems occurred during wearing a hearing aid. Even though there were complaints about feeling dizzy, dizziness was not one of the most significant problems and the side effects were generally minor.

Additionally, in the literature review conducted in 2022, dizziness and vertigo were mentioned among the problems related to wearing a hearing aid but they were not the most common ones. The most common problems included, for example, problems with the fit of the devices, poor sound quality, problems hearing in particular conditions, and handling them.

Moreover, there is a fascinating relationship between hearing and balance. During a study that was held in 2022, 10 studies of 199 adults who had hearing problems were reviewed. Results of the review were quite diverse, as six of ten cases witnessed improvement in balance, while four showed no changes.

Vertigo is not something common among people using hearing aids, and thus there is no way vertigo can automatically affect balance. Moreover, better hearing makes individuals more attentive to their environment. 

What to Do If You Feel Dizzy While Wearing Hearing Aids?

However, if some people use hearing aids for the first time and get mild dizziness, there are several steps that can help ease their adaptation process. One does not need to wear hearing aids for the whole day starting from the first try. Time is needed for the organism to get used to new sounds.

Start Slowly and Build Up Gradually

If one has recently started using hearing aids, he or she should wear them for one or two hours per day at home or somewhere else quietly. It takes time for the brain to get accustomed to the new sounds and not be overwhelmed with them. Gradually, the time for wearing hearing aids can be increased for a little bit every day. People should put on hearing aids in the morning, rest and then put on hearing aids again in the evening. Gradually, people can start wearing hearing aids for a longer time and in more noisy environment. There is no rush to wear hearing aids for the whole day from the very beginning.

Adjusting to Unfamiliar Sounds

The sounds produced by your hearing aids may seem very loud at first – the sounds of dishes being set on the table, feet shuffling around, running water, cars outside, even your own voice. This does not necessarily mean that there is anything wrong with your hearing aids. Your brain needs some time to learn how to filter out what is important to listen to and what isn’t. But if the sound is weird and keeps repeating itself, then it means that you need to get your hearing aids adjusted.

Check If the Hearing Aids Fit

Listen to how the hearing aids make you feel when wearing them. If there is discomfort such as pain, pressure, or stuffiness while wearing them, then it means that the hearing aids do not fit properly. You might feel that your voice sounds too loud. But if you change the dome, earmold, or vent, then it could be helpful.

Get the Hearing Aid Settings Changed

If dizziness occurs in response to the loudness of the surroundings, get the hearing aid settings evaluated by your audiologist or hearing aid specialist. Getting accustomed to new hearing aids does not require being uncomfortable at all. Volume and degree of amplification can be adjusted based on your hearing loss level and experience of living with the hearing aids. Describe your symptoms to them in details. Instead of saying “I do not like it,” it is better to say “I hear everything too loudly” or “I feel uncomfortable in the surroundings with background noise.”

Pay Attention to Timing of the Dizziness

The most helpful thing to pay attention to is a particular pattern. Does the dizziness occur right after insertion of the hearing aids? Is it associated with the high volume setting? Does it occur in noise and not at home? Do you experience dizziness even when you remove the hearing aids? This information will help your audiologist understand whether there is a possible connection to the fit or the audio settings or whether you need to see a physician to check on the potential causes.

Other Possible Reasons for Dizziness to Occur

If your dizziness occurs while getting adjusted to your new hearing aids and improves after you get used to them, it is just a part of the process. Nevertheless, in case you keep experiencing dizziness, do know that the hearing aid might not necessarily be the culprit. Some other medical conditions that may cause vertigo include vestibular disorders such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), Ménière's disease, some medications, dehydration, among other things. If you find yourself dizzy but without your hearing aid on and without vertigo spells, hearing loss, and ear pressure, visit a doctor or an audiologist.

Why Might You Feel Dizzy With New Hearing Aids?

Using hearing aids creates a completely new experience of listening to things around. For people who have suffered from hearing loss for years, the brain becomes accustomed to silence. But once you wear hearing aids, the volume of the usual noises increases drastically.

You may hear the refrigerator humming, the noise of dishes, the sounds of cars, the sound of walking, and many voices speaking at the same time. It may be hard to cope with all these at once. The brain needs time to recognize and prioritize the noises. You may feel tired, uncomfortable, or even dizzy.

It doesn't mean that hearing aids will disrupt your balance. Most probably, it is only the process of adaptation to new noises.

How Long Does Vertigo Due to Hearing Aids Last?

There is no specific adjustment period that works for everybody. For some people, getting accustomed to wearing hearing aids may take only a few days; for others, it may take a few weeks before they get accustomed to the new sounds they are receiving through the hearing aids.

However, vertigo that keeps occurring or worsens is something else. In case you have repeated spinning sensations and balance issues or vertigo attacks even without using your hearing aids, do not think that it is just because you haven't adjusted to wearing the hearing aids yet.

Could the Hearing Aid Fit Be the Problem?

In some cases, the issue is not even related to the sound at all but rather to how well the hearing aid sits in your ear. A too-tight dome or earmold will lead to a feeling of being plugged or clogged in your ear. Moreover, you may notice that your voice becomes abnormally loud and that your ear feels full.

The phenomenon is known as an occlusion effect – your ear canal is partially blocked and the sounds made by your voice become intensified within the ear. It does not mean that the hearing aid itself causes an illness in your inner ear. However, a bad fit may be quite uncomfortable and might cause pressure.

If you experience the described symptoms, you should definitely discuss the matter with your audiologist or hearing care professional. A change in the dome, earmold, or venting system will be very helpful for you.

The Bottom Line

Does wearing a hearing aid bring about vertigo? Yes, but this dizziness may happen only to some people in the early stages of adapting to their new devices. Vertigo is not a typical consequence of wearing a hearing aid.

If you get dizzy upon wearing a new hearing aid, then try the following steps: Is your device comfortably fitting? Do you have an obstruction in the ear? Do the noises become too loud for you? Is there enough time to get used to your device?

If these issues remain unresolved, see your audiologist for more assistance. If you are experiencing frequent episodes of dizziness along with changes in hearing, tinnitus, imbalance, or other symptoms, do not assume that your hearing aid is the reason behind all of this. There may be some other health issue that needs to be addressed. Good hearing should help you live better. Do not let yourself feel unsafe due to some discomfort.