Balance Awareness Week – September 12-18, 2021

The Vestibular Disorders Association began Balance Awareness Week to highlight just how much of an impact inner ear and brain disorders can have on an individual’s daily life. Patients who suffer from balance issues associated with vestibular disorders often experience chronic physical, mental, and emotional pain. Examples include intense dizziness, ringing of the ear, vertigo, and even depression. During the week of September 12-18 make it a point to familiarize yourself with the many issues that Balance Awareness Week tackles.

Balance Awareness Week timeline

Internationally recognized​

The province of British Columbia formally recognized Balance Awareness Week. ​

Balance Awareness Week is official​

The Vestibular Disorders Association launched the first ever event. ​

VEDA formed

The Vestibular Disorders Association formed as a nonprofit. ​

Audiology courses offered

Northwestern University offered the first courses in audiology. ​

Vertigo and ear diseases linked​

For the first time, ear diseases were linked to causing vertigo issues. ​

How to Observe Balance Awareness Week

  1. Host a fundraiser

    It is the mission of the Vestibular Disorders Association to highlight inner ear and brain disorders so that issues can get diagnosed more easily, and people living with vestibular disorders can find support.

  2. Have your ears checked

    Do you think that something's up with your balance? If so, make an appointment with an audiologist to get checked out.

  3. Volunteer

    We suggest checking with a local hospital to find out if there are any volunteering opportunities in the audiology department.

​5 "well-balanced" Balance Facts

  1. Who needs a big toe anyway?

    Research has found that individuals missing their big toe usually have "little or no disability" in terms of balance. ​

  2. ​Migraine sufferers beware

    Somewhere around 40 percent of migraine sufferers experience issues regarding balance or dizziness. ​

  3. ​Thanks, NASA

    By studying astronauts returning from space, NASA contributed to some early research on the vestibular system.

  4. ​More common than you might think

    Almost 70 million Americans over 40 have​ reported experiencing some sort of balance issues.

  5. Balance helpers

    Believe it or not, your muscles, joints, and skin all send important signals to your brain to help it determine how to properly balance your body. ​

Why Balance Awareness Week is Important

  1. Balance Awareness Week highlights what is normal and what is not

    Sure, as we age we expect to have our balance challenged a little, but there's a fine line between what's considered a normal balance issue and what could actually be a much more serious problem. Balance Awareness Week helps educate us about what signs and symptoms to look out for concerning possible issues with the inner ear and brain.

  2. Balance Awareness Week is an important time for fundraising

    The Vestibular Disorders Association (VEDA) does a large chunk of its fundraising during Balance Awareness Week. VEDA uses the money to help support researchers, physicians, and the tens of millions of people who suffer from inner ear balance disorders.

  3. Balance is something that is otherwise taken for granted

    During Balance Awareness Week, we are all encouraged to recognize the remarkable job our body does with executing basic tasks. Sitting in a chair, walking to the mailbox, jumping up and down — all things that require our sense of balance.

Balance Awareness Week dates

2021September 12Sunday