Balance Problem in Individuals with Normal Hearing Across Age Groups - A Behavioural Study
Kumari Apeksha1, Niha Fathima1, Priyanka Gowda1
1JSS Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysore, Karnataka India.
Summary
Balance issues can affect daily living activities in all age groups, even without obvious perceptual problems. Early screening for balance disturbances is crucial for all individuals, regardless of age, to ensure proper assessment and intervention.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neurology
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Balance is crucial for daily activities.
- Age-related changes can impact balance subtly.
- Perceptual balance issues are not always apparent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify hidden balance problems across different age groups.
- To correlate perceptual measures with objective functional tests.
- To assess the impact of age on balance and daily living.
Main Methods:
- 150 individuals across three age groups (20-40, 40-60, >60 years) were studied.
- Participants underwent the Dizziness Index of Impairment in Activities of Daily Living Scale (DII-ADL) questionnaire.
- Vestibulospinal and cerebellar function tests included Sharpened Romberg, Fukuda stepping, Tandem gait, and Finger-to-nose tests.
Main Results:
- Balance disturbances were present in all age groups, increasing with age.
- Older adults reported greater difficulty with daily living activities (DII-ADL).
- Sharpened Romberg and Fukuda stepping tests showed correlations with DII-ADL scores.
Conclusions:
- Subtle balance impairments can affect daily activities across all ages.
- Screening for balance disturbances is recommended for all age groups.
- Increased awareness among professionals about hidden balance issues is needed.
