Could Tai Chi Help Hearing?
When most people think about managing hearing loss, they think of hearing aids, lipreading classes, or assistive technology. Tai Chi probably isn’t the first thing that springs to mind. But this ancient Chinese practice — characterised by its slow, flowing movements and meditative stillness — offers a surprising range of benefits that are particularly valuable for people living with hearing loss or deafness.
Here’s why it might be worth rolling out the mat.
1. Tackling the Exhaustion Nobody Talks About
If you have hearing loss, you’ll know that simply getting through a normal day can be exhausting. The effort of straining to follow conversations, watching faces and lips, and filling in the gaps in what you hear creates what audiologists call “listening fatigue” — a very real and draining experience. Add to that the anxiety that often accompanies social situations, and stress levels can become significant.
Tai Chi’s slow, meditative movements have been shown to activate the body’s parasympathetic nervous system — the “rest and digest” response — reducing cortisol (the stress hormone) and promoting a genuine sense of calm. Even a single session can leave practitioners feeling noticeably quieter in mind and body.
2. Better Balance — Backed by Science
There’s a well-established link between hearing loss and an increased risk of falls. This is because the inner ear — specifically the vestibular system — plays a dual role in both hearing and balance. When hearing is affected, balance can be too.
Tai Chi is one of the most evidence-backed activities for improving balance and reducing falls in older adults. A clinical study published in Disability and Rehabilitation found that Tai Chi produced significant improvements in balance and functional mobility in young people with congenital sensorineural hearing loss — and the benefits also extend to older adults. Research from the Northwestern University Rehabilitation Institute showed that just eight weeks of daily Tai Chi practice significantly improved balance in people with mild balance disorders.
3. Tuning Into Your Body When You Can’t Rely on Sound
People with hearing loss often navigate the world with heightened reliance on their other senses. Developing better body awareness and spatial confidence becomes even more important. Tai Chi builds exactly this kind of mindful, intuitive connection with your own body — known as proprioception — helping you move through the world with greater ease and confidence.
4. Easing the Burden of Tinnitus
Tinnitus — the persistent ringing, buzzing or hissing that many people with hearing loss experience — can be deeply distressing, and stress makes it worse. Relaxation practices like Tai Chi have been shown to reduce the perceived intensity of tinnitus by addressing the stress and tension that amplify it. A randomised controlled study into Qigong (a closely related practice to Tai Chi) found it to be the highest-rated treatment for tinnitus satisfaction among patients. While Tai Chi won’t cure tinnitus, it can make it considerably more manageable.
5. Socialising Without the Stress
Social isolation is one of the most significant and under-discussed consequences of hearing loss. Group settings can feel exhausting or even humiliating when you struggle to follow conversations, leading many people to withdraw from social life.
Group Tai Chi classes offer something refreshingly different. Sessions are largely non-verbal by nature — you follow the movements of the instructor and fellow participants. The communication is visual and physical rather than spoken, which removes much of the pressure that makes other group activities difficult for those with hearing loss. It’s a way to be part of a group, feel a shared experience, and combat loneliness — all without the exhausting effort of trying to hear.
6. Sleeping Better
Poor sleep is common among those living with hearing loss and tinnitus. The relaxation benefits of regular Tai Chi practice have been shown in multiple studies to improve sleep quality — which in turn supports overall mental and physical wellbeing. When you sleep better, everything else becomes a little more manageable.
7. Protecting the Mind as Well as the Body
Research has increasingly highlighted a link between untreated hearing loss and a greater risk of cognitive decline. Tai Chi has been the subject of numerous studies for its positive effects on cognitive function, memory and concentration in older adults. An encouraging review published in Heliyon (2023) found that Tai Chi can improve auditory working memory alongside its well-established physical benefits. The two benefits working together make a compelling case.
Want to Give It a Try? Classes Near You in Surrey
There’s a growing number of excellent Tai Chi classes in and around the Guildford and Woking area. Here are some local options to explore:
• Tai Chi Guildford — Classes at multiple venues across Guildford including Guildford Guide Headquarters (Nightingale Rd) and locations in Woking and Shere. Suitable for all fitness levels and ages.
• Woking Tai Chi for Health — Running since 2005 at Woking United Reformed Church (White Rose Lane, GU22 7HA). Thursday classes including a partly seated beginners class, ideal for those with mobility considerations.
• Surrey Hills Tai Chi & Qigong — Weekly classes in Godalming and Farnham combining Tai Chi and Qigong. Suitable for any age and fitness level.
• Surrey County Council Adult Learning — Offers beginner, improver and mixed ability courses at affordable prices. Discounts available for library members and those over 66.
Many instructors are happy to accommodate people with hearing difficulties and are used to working with students of varying needs. Don’t hesitate to contact a class in advance to discuss how they can make sessions accessible for you.
The Guildford Hard of Hearing Support Group meets regularly to provide advice, support and friendship to anyone affected by hearing loss in Surrey. For more information about our group and upcoming events, please get in touch.