| dc.description.abstract | Background: The auditory system has been considered to have a contribution to postural control together with visual, somatosensory, and vestibular systems. Degradation of hearing acuity is prevalent in older populations, and it may affect high risk of falling due to the postural instability caused by hearing deficit. However, there has been no previous study focused on hearing decline in relation to particular age range.
Objective: The aim of the present study is to determine the impact of hearing decline with aging on postural control in older adults aged 60-70 years by comparison with younger adults aged 20-30 years.
Methods: 10 participants (4 males, 6 females, mean age: 65.8) in the case group and 12 participants (2 males, 10 females, mean age:22.8) in the control group were included. Two groups conducted an audiometry test and quiet standing tests. Pure tone average (PTA) was estimated for hearing thresholds. Sway velocity was measured for postural control evaluation. Six different test trials containing the first and the last baseline trials, eyes-closed, balance pad, provision of pink noise, and counting task trials were conducted with normal sound environment and suppressed sound environments where the participants wore headsets.
Results: PTA thresholds of two groups were significantly different. There were statistically significant inter-group differences with somatosensory modulation in total and anterior-posterior (AP) velocity results regardless of the sound conditions. Additionally, the provision of extra sound trial with normal sound environments and the first baseline trial with suppressed sound showed significant group differences in AP velocity. Medial-lateral (ML) velocity showed no difference between the groups. However, suppressed sound information with headsets and provision of pink noise did not have significant influence on sway velocity within each group.
Conclusion: Hearing acuity declines in company with postural control systems in 60-70-year-olds. However, the present study findings suggest that the effects of hearing decline on postural control in 60-70-year-olds showed ambiguity. | |
