[Postural regulation and stability with acoustic input in normal hearing subjects. German version]

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biomechanics
• Auditory Science

Background:

• Postural regulation relies on complex interactions between sensory and motor systems.
• The auditory system's role in maintaining balance is increasingly recognized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the influence of auditory input on postural control.
• To elucidate the interplay between auditory stimuli and postural subsystems.
• To explore subjective perceptions of auditory-vestibular interactions.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Interactive Balance System (IBS) to measure postural regulation in 30 healthy participants.
• Assessed postural control under conditions with and without auditory noise.
• Employed frequency-oriented fast-Fourier analysis of force-time data for process-level analysis.

Main Results:

• Auditory noise significantly altered postural regulation at the process level, affecting the visual/nigrostriatal (F1 band) and peripheral vestibular (F2-4 bands) systems.
• The weight distribution index (WDI) increased with auditory noise, indicating altered weight distribution.
• No significant changes in postural stability (ST parameter) were observed between auditory conditions.

Conclusions:

• Auditory input induces shifts in postural subsystem activity, highlighting audiovestibular interactions.
• Despite changes in specific subsystems and weight distribution, overall postural stability was maintained.
• Individual variability in subjective assessment of auditory influence on balance was noted.