LM101 - Inter-Professional Fall Risk Assessment Training for Audiologists and Student Clinicians

Abstract:
Fall risk assessment is within the scope-of-practice for audiologists. Audiologists are balance experts responsible for assessing and managing vestibular dysfunction, with their patient base consisting of older adults – a population at high-risk of falling (Rie, et al. 2021). They are also in regular contact with individuals with hearing loss who are three times as likely to fall (Campos, et al. 2023). In this learning module, we present the CDC’s Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths and Injuries Initiative, describe the role of audiologists in fall prevention, and demonstrate how audiologists and other allied-health clinicians can implement protocols to reduce fall risk.

Summary:
Approximately one-half of older adult patients report at least one incidence of a fall to their Audiologist each year (Criter et al., 2013). Audiology is one of the unique professions that studies both the vestibular system's function relating to dizziness and balance and auditory impairments, thus it is logical that fall risk assessments are implemented into clinical education and practicum. A systematic review in 2014 discovered most audiology clinics are not providing this service due to (1) lack of fall risk assessment training, (2) professionals do not have the education to counsel patients on fall risks, and (3) audiologists do not think it is within their scope of practice (Patterson & Honaker, 2014). With the proper tools and training, clinicians can implement a fall risk assessment into their practice to identify at-risk patients earlier and provide them with the proper referrals and recommendations.

This session will focus on equipping clinicians with the knowledge and tools needed to implement fall prevention strategies in their practice, guided by the CDC’s STEADI (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries) initiative. Through a combination of evidence-based protocols, screening tools, and practical assessment techniques, participants will be empowered to actively reduce fall risk in their patient populations.

Participants will be able to (1) articulate the impact that falls have on both health and financial systems including understanding the common injuries resulting from falls, such as fractures and head trauma. Participants will (2) explore the critical role audiologists play in fall prevention through direct involvement with older adults with hearing loss and balance disorders. Participants will be equipped to implement fall prevention protocols based on the CDC’s STEADI initiative. They will learn (3) how to perform fall risk screenings using tools like the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, the 4-Stage Balance Test, and the 30-Second Chair Stand Test. Participants will also develop skills in conducting comprehensive fall risk assessments and offering counseling strategies aimed at reducing fall risk. This includes education on environmental modifications and referrals to additional resources that support fall prevention strategies.

This learning module is a succinct adaptation of an inter-professional educational training program which was successfully implemented into our Au.D. curriculum. A convenience sample of 16 Au.D. students participated in this pilot training as part of their Geriatric Audiology course and demonstrated a significant increase measured skill competence and in self-perceived confidence in administering fall risk screenings. With this module, we would like to extend the opportunity to practicing clinicians and other Au.D. students attending AAA, who are interested in learning the basics of this important clinical skill.

Brief Summary of Clinical Takeaways:
The clinical takeaways for this session are that the CDC encourages allied health practitioners including audiologists to play an active role in reducing the risk of falls through the STEADI initiative, fall risk screening is simple to learn and complete, and fall risk screening can be integrated into any clinic.