Dual-task performance and vestibular functions in individuals with noise induced hearing loss

The aim of this study was to evaluate the vestibular functions and dual-task performances of individuals with noise induced hearing loss.

Fifty individuals with noise induced hearing loss and 25 healthy individuals were included in the study. Individuals with noise induced hearing loss were divided into 2 groups according to the pure tone average. Twenty-five patients with bilateral pure tone average between 20 dB HL and 40 dB HL were included in group I and 25 patients with bilateral pure tone average higher than 40 dB HL were included in group II. One-leg standing test, functional reach test, timed-up and go test, head impulse test, head shaking test, spontaneous nystagmus test and caloric test were carried out to evaluate the vestibular systems of all individuals. Visual analog scale was used to evaluate the imbalance intensity of individuals. In order to evaluate the dual-task performances of the individuals, individuals were given cognitive and motor tasks simultaneously with timed up and go test.

Individuals in group II had more abnormal caloric responses than the control group and individuals in group I. Also, individuals with higher hearing loss exhibited worse performance than other groups in eyes-closed one-leg standing test and dual-task situations.

Individuals with higher hearing loss (>40 dB) had more abnormal vestibular test results and worse dual-task performance than other groups. Vestibular evaluation and dual-task performance evaluation of factory workers with noise induced hearing loss can provide useful information to determine the risk of falling and fall prevention strategies in these individuals.