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The effect of hearing aids on postural stability
Kavelin Rumalla1, Adham M Karim, Timothy E Hullar
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A.
The Laryngoscope
|October 28, 2014
Summary
Hearing aids significantly improve balance in older adults with hearing loss, reducing fall risk. This suggests a public health benefit for this population.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Audiology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Falls are a leading cause of accidental death in adults over 65.
- Hearing loss is correlated with an increased risk of falls in older adults.
- Audition's role in postural stability is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of hearing aids on postural stability in older adults.
- To determine if hearing aids can mitigate fall risk associated with hearing loss.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving bilateral hearing aid users aged 65+.
- Postural stability was measured using Romberg on foam and tandem stance tests.
- Tests were conducted in both aided and unaided conditions, in the dark, with white noise.
Main Results:
- Participants performed significantly better on balance tests with hearing aids (P=0.005).
- No significant relationship was found between balance improvement and hearing acuity.
- Participants did not perceive a subjective difference in balance between conditions.
Conclusions:
- Hearing aids represent a novel treatment for imbalance in older adults with hearing loss.
- Wearing hearing aids may significantly reduce fall risk in this demographic.
- This suggests a potential public health benefit for fall prevention.
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