The ability to balance is pretty critical in everyday functioning, not to mention various performance arts and athletics. One way of working to improve balance involves challenge. Purposely get into a situation that challenges balance and then revert to the usual. For example, if possible, stand on just one leg for a short period of time, and then come back to standing on the usual two. Usual standing might feel easier, more balanced. Progressively more challenging situations might produce more changes: close the eyes while standing on one leg, walk on a balance beam, etc.
All of this assumes an intact vestibular system, the complex inner ear mechanism associated with balance, equilibrium and orientation. But what if the vestibular system is severely damaged by injury, disease, or other sorts of deterioration? One potential solution is a computer-based implant, similar to the cochlear implants used to restore hearing to those with compromised hearing.
Good news. Researchers are working on developing and testing inner ear implants. Animal-based research shows promise for such implants. First efforts produced a motion-detector based device that tracked head movement in only one plane. Using accelerometers instead, a newer approach, tested on chinchillas, allows tracking in three dimensions.
Power requirements and battery life have been issues. Who wants to stop to change batteries for something implanted in your head? But the accelerometers use less juice, and may be a step toward a solution. And the researchers have developed a virtual inner ear to use in testing new designs.