Falls aren’t “just part of getting older.” They’re common, costly, and—crucially—preventable. Many falls are linked to dizziness, vertigo, or balance disorders. When those symptoms come from inner-ear (vestibular) problems, targeted treatment can reduce symptoms and help prevent future falls.

 How common are falls?

• Worldwide: Falls cause 684,000 deaths each year and 37 million injuries needing care.
• Ireland: About 1 in 3 adults aged 65+ falls annually; almost 70% of serious falls happen at home. Nearly 40% of adults over 50 report a fall in 4 years, and hip fractures remain a major consequence.

Why do people fall?

• Dizziness, vertigo, and balance disorders
• Weakness, frailty, or inactivity
• Medicines that affect balance or blood pressure
• Poor vision/hearing, unsafe footwear, or home hazards

Falls due to Dizziness, vertigo, and Imbalance

• Your inner ear helps you keep balance. When it’s not working properly, you may feel spinning (vertigo), unsteadiness, or “swimmy-headed”—all of which raise fall risk. Research shows dizziness itself independently predicts future falls in older adults.

• Why this matters for falls: When vestibular problems are diagnosed and treated, people feel steadier—often reducing falls and fear of falling. In one study of patients presenting with dizziness, those who received tailored vestibular rehabilitation had markedly lower odds of falling over the next year.