The middle/inner ear is an amazingly complext system isn't it? It is responsible for hearing, AND all the things you just mentioned. balance, understanding of where your body is in space, equilibrium.... amazing that it works as often as it does.

the balance thing is always something we have to consider with deaf children. as they are growing we note if they have developed compensatory skills or not.

sad/ironic little anecdote: a few years ago our local deaf school had a really good football team (for once). they were playing a "hearing" school, who some how had learned about deaf kids, balance, and darkness. they rescheduled the game after dark, and purposely put out some of the field lights... our kids were at such a disadvantage! (running, in the dark, not being able to look at their feet....) finally, about the second quarter, our school's superintendent figured out what was going on. Appealed to the heart of the coach, and the game was rescheduled in the day time. (we trounced them!).
Karen, I'm so glad it's all worked out as well as it has for you...