RP208 - Postural Control in Adults with Age-Related Hearing Loss

Abstract:
This study evaluated postural control in adults with age-related hearing loss (ARHL) by adding a variation of a 30 degree head tilt for each measure. Individuals between the age of 50 and 70 were evaluated using pure-tone audiometry, vestibular function assessments, and postural control measures. Results revealed significant correlations between ARHL and cervical VEMPs and ocular VEMPs. Single leg stance with head tilt was significantly associated with ARHL. This study suggested that single leg stance with head tilt was most sensitive to detecting reduced postural control in individuals with ARHL.

Summary:
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to evaluate postural control in adults with age-related hearing loss (ARHL) by adding a variation of a 30 degree head tilt for each measure.

Method
Individuals between the age of 50 and 70 were recruited (10 with normal hearing, 32 with ARHL) and evaluated using pure-tone audiometry, vestibular function assessments, and postural control measures. Vestibular function assessments used were video head impulse test (vHIT), cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs), and ocular VEMPs. Postural control measures used were single leg stance (SLS), Romberg on foam (RF), and tandem walking (TW). Pearson correlation and linear regression were used to evaluate the relationship between pure-tone average (PTA), vestibular function assessments, and postural control measures.

Results
Results revealed significant correlations between ARHL and cervical VEMPs and ocular VEMPs. As ARHL increased, amplitude of cervical and ocular VEMPs decreased. There were no significant correlations for ARHL and vHIT gain. SLS with head tilt was significantly associated with ARHL. As ARHL increased, the time for SLS with head tilt decreased. There were no significant findings for ARHL and SLS without head tilt, TW with and without head tilt, or RF with and without head tilt.

Conclusions
The results of this study described the decreased postural control with head tilt present as ARHL increased. Furthermore, this study supported the previously documented vestibular degradation that is present in the ARHL population compared to normal hearing. This study suggested that the postural control measure most sensitive to detecting reduced postural control in individuals with ARHL was single leg stance with head tilt. Further study is needed to hone the specific parameters of using SLS with head tilt as a screening measure to assess risk of falls in the ARHL population.

Brief Summary of Clinical Takeaways:
The clinical takeaway for this session is that individuals with age-related hearing loss have vestibular dysfunction which can cause issues in postural control.