Head Position Comparison between Students with Normal Hearing and Students with Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Melo, Renato de Souza; Silva, Polyanna Waleska Amorim da; Souza, Robson Arruda; Raposo, Maria Cristina Falcão; Ferraz, Karla Mônica

doi:10.1055/s-0033-1351685

Cited by 10 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 15 publications

(19 reference statements)

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“…[ 10 , 14 , 15 ] In addition, balance may also be influenced by the position of the head in respect to the body and an altered head position has been seen as a frequent condition in patients suffering of sensineural hearing loss. [ 8 , 16 ] There is a close relation between the proprioceptive receptors located in the neck and the vestibular system and these together determine the sense of head position and hence the alignment expressed by the body's posture. [ 8 , 17 ] Such strict relation may also explain why those who suffer cervical dystonia manifest postural instability, affecting static, dynamic balance, and gait and refer fear of falling.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Decreased postural control in people with moderate hearing loss

Thomas

Martines

Bianco³

et al. 2018

Medicine

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Balance is a complex process that involves multiple sensory integrations. The auditory, visual, and vestibular systems are the main contributors. Hearing loss or hearing impairment may induce inappropriate postural strategies that could affect balance and therefore increase the risk of falling.The aim of this study was to understand whether hearing loss could influence balance, cervical posture, and muscle activation in the cervical region.Thirteen patients (61 ± 13 years; 161.8 ± 11.0 cm; 70.5 ± 15.9 kg) with moderate hearing loss (Right ear −60 ± 21 dB; Left ear −61 ± 24 dB) underwent: an audiometric examination, a postural examination (with open and closed eyes) through a stabilometric platform, a cervical ROM examination through a head accelerometer, and a sternocleidomastoid electromyography (EMG) examination.A linear regression analysis has shown a regression coefficient (R2) 0.76 and 0.69 between hearing loss and the posturographic parameters, on the sagittal sway, with open and closed eyes, respectively. The combination of frontal and sagittal sway is able to explain up to 84% of the variance of the audiometric assessment. No differences were found between right and left hemibody between the audiometric, posturographic, cervical ROM parameters, and in EMG amplitude. ROM and EMG parameters have not shown any significant associations with hearing loss, for both right and left head rotation.Hearing loss is associated to increased posturographic measures, especially the sagittal sway, underlining a reduced postural control in people with hearing impairments. No association was found between the heads posture and neck activation with hearing loss. Hearing loss may be associated with an increased risk of falls.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Decreased postural control in people with moderate hearing loss

Thomas

Martines

Bianco³

et al. 2018

Medicine

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“…Such devices could offer opportunities for balance and gait rehabilitation by encouraging head and eye movements, aligning with key exercises for vestibular rehabilitation in children [ 91 ]. Nonetheless, when utilizing virtual glasses and helmets, researchers should consider potential variations in head movement range and postural alignment in children and adolescents with SNHL [ 92 , 93 , 94 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of Virtual Reality-Based Games to Improve Balance and Gait of Children and Adolescents with Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Melo

Lemos

Delgado

et al. 2023

Sensors

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Background: Children and adolescents with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) often experience motor skill disturbances, particularly in balance and gait, due to potential vestibular dysfunctions resulting from inner ear damage. Consequently, several studies have proposed the use of virtual reality-based games as a technological resource for therapeutic purposes, aiming to improve the balance and gait of this population. Objective: The objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the quality of evidence derived from randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials that employed virtual reality-based games to enhance the balance and/or gait of children and adolescents with SNHL. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across nine databases, encompassing articles published in any language until 1 July 2023. The following inclusion criteria were applied: randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials involving volunteers from both groups with a clinical diagnosis of bilateral SNHL, aged 6–19 years, devoid of physical, cognitive, or neurological deficits other than vestibular dysfunction, and utilizing virtual reality-based games as an intervention to improve balance and/or gait outcomes. Results: Initially, a total of 5984 articles were identified through the searches. Following the removal of duplicates and screening of titles and abstracts, eight studies remained for full reading, out of which three trials met the eligibility criteria for this systematic review. The included trials exhibited a very low quality of evidence concerning the balance outcome, and none of the trials evaluated gait. The meta-analysis did not reveal significant differences in balance improvement between the use of traditional balance exercises and virtual reality-based games for adolescents with SNHL (effect size: −0.48; [CI: −1.54 to 0.57]; p = 0.37; I2 = 0%). Conclusion: Virtual reality-based games show promise as a potential technology to be included among the therapeutic options for rehabilitating the balance of children and adolescents with SNHL. However, given the methodological limitations of the trials and the overall low quality of evidence currently available on this topic, caution should be exercised when interpreting the results of the trials analyzed in this systematic review.

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