HT301 - STEADI as She Goes: Reducing Fall Risk with On-Board Hearing Aid Sensors (0.05 CEUs when combined with HT302)

Abstract:
This session will detail the development of a hearing aid feature that provides a self-assessment tool for identifying gait, strength, or balance using the STEADI (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries) protocol developed by the CDC. Discussion will focus on the results of multistage research collaborations between Starkey and Stanford. Discussion will focus on the research studies.

Summary:
In recent years, increased attention has been focused on comorbidity between hearing loss and fall risk; Lin et al (ARCH INTERN MED/ VOL 172 (NO. 4), FEB 27, 2012) reported that in a representative study of adults aged 40-69 years of age, greater hearing loss was independently associated with self-reported falls over the preceding 12 months. Falls among adults age 65 and older are increasing common and more costly. In 2016, falls led to approximately three million emergency department visits, nearly one million hospitalizations and 30,000 deaths. To address the burden of falls among older adults, the CDC has developed an initiative called STEADI (Stopping Elderly, Accidents, Deaths and Injuries) based in the American and British Geriatrics Societies’ Clinics fall prevention guideline. The focus of this presentation will be to discuss age-related changes in hearing loss and balance. Topics will include current and emerging treatment methods for hearing loss, tinnitus, falls, and fall prevention. Results of recent peer-reviewed studies for fall detection and fall risk assessment will be presented; audience participation is strongly encouraged.

Brief Summary of Clinical Takeaways:
The progression of research efforts that are ultimately aimed at moving from fall DETECTION to identifying fall risk, with the goal of combining that with physical therapy to ultimately prevent falls before they happen.