The Association between Hearing Loss, Postural Control, and Mobility in Older Adults: A Systematic Review

Agmon, Maayan; Lavie, Limor; Doumas, Michail

doi:10.3766/jaaa.16044

Cited by 95 publications

(94 citation statements)

References 69 publications

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“…These results coincide with the mixed literature regarding hearing loss and balance difficulty among older adults, as well as whether hearing aids improve balance for older adults with hearing loss [ 23 ]. Older adults with hearing loss have been shown to have increased sway compared to older adults with normal hearing, and hearing aids have been shown to improve static balance and balance outcome measures such as the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) [ 12 , 24 , 25 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Hearing Loss Contributes to Balance Difficulties in both Younger and Older Adults

Kowalewski¹

2018

J Prev Med

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ObjectiveThe number of steps required to regain balance is an easily obtainable clinical outcome measure. This study assessed whether number of steps during loss of balance could identify older adults with hearing loss who have balance deficits. We aimed to answer two questions: 1) Does hearing loss negatively affect the ability to regain balance, as reflected by an increased number of steps needed to respond to a perturbation while simultaneously attending to speech-in-noise; and 2) Do hearing aids improve balance control, reflected by a decrease in number of steps needed to regain balance?Methods20 young adults and 20 older adults with normal hearing, and 19 older adults with hearing loss performed an auditory-balance dual-task. Participants were asked to listen and repeat back sentences from a standardized audiology test, while simultaneously responding to backward surface translations. Outcome measures were performed on the auditory test and number of steps needed to regain balance. Repeated measures ANCOVA models were run in using group, time, hearing levels, and perturbation levels as predictors.ResultsAuditory scores confirmed difficulty hearing speech-in-noise in older adults with hearing loss and no hearing aids, and in young and older adults with normal hearing and simulated hearing loss. Results showed that group, auditory and balance conditions are significantly related to both outcomes measures and time is not significant for steps. Older adults with hearing loss had a significant increase in number of steps needed to regain balance compared to young adults and older adults with normal hearing.ConclusionNumber of steps may be an appropriate clinical assessment tool for identifying fall risk in older adults with hearing loss. Further research needs to be performed to identify proper assessments and treatment interventions for older adults with hearing loss who have balance deficits.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Hearing Loss Contributes to Balance Difficulties in both Younger and Older Adults

Kowalewski¹

2018

J Prev Med

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“…Consistent with the existing literature, hearing impairment was identified as a significant risk factor for falls in homebound community‐dwelling older adults (Agmon, Lavie, & Doumas, ; Wilson, Garner, & Loprinzi, ). Hearing impairment often negatively impacts postural control and balance, which can further cause falls in the older adults (Agmon et al, ). Assessing older adults’ hearing function and assisting older adults with hearing impairment may help prevent falls in the homebound older adult population.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 71%

Risk factors for falls in homebound community‐dwelling older adults

Zhao

Alderden

Lind

et al. 2019

Public Health Nursing

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Objective To examine risk factors associated with falls among homebound community‐dwelling older adults, a vulnerable population often possessing functional disabilities and chronic conditions. Design and Sample The study was a cross‐sectional study utilizing round 6 data of the National Health and Aging Trend Study (NHATS). Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted. A total of 1,356 homebound community‐dwelling older adults aged 65 and above participated in the NHATS. Measures The outcome variable was falls within the last month reported in NHATS. Independent variables were selected based on the NHATS disability conceptual model and literature review, including personal conditions, environmental conditions, and physical functioning limitations. Results In the sample population, 21.2% reported falls. Males were more likely to experience a fall than females. Hypertension or depression/anxiety increased risk for falls. Older adults with hearing impairment or balance problems limiting activities were also more likely to fall. Conclusions Public health nurses need to conduct thorough fall risk assessment for homebound older adults, especially those with chronic health problems or functioning limitations. Studies are needed to examine the association between home environment and falls in homebound older adults.

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“…In the further adjusted variable model, hearing loss (moderate) was still a risk factor for falls. A previous systematic review study found a significant association between hearing loss and falls [37]. Meanwhile, in a survey of adults by Elizabeth R. Heitz, it was suggested that hearing loss may be a clinical indicator of increased fall risk [16].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Relationship between Self-Rated Economic Status and Falls among the Elderly in Shandong Province, China

Hong

Zhou

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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(1) Background: Older people are more vulnerable and likely to have falls and the consequences of these falls place a heavy burden on individuals, families and society. Many factors directly or indirectly affect the prevalence of falls. The aims of this study were to understand the prevalence and risk factors of falls among the elderly in Shandong, China; the relationship between economic level and falls was also preliminary explored. (2) Methods: Using a multi-stage stratified sampling method, 7070 elderly people aged 60 and over were selected in Shandong Province, China. General characteristics and a self-rated economic status were collected through face to face interviews. Chi-square tests, rank sum tests and two logistic regression models were performed as the main statistical methods. (3) Results: 8.59% of participants reported that they had experienced at least one fall in the past half year. There was a significant difference in experienced falls regarding gender, residence, marital status, educational level, smoking, drinking, hypertension, diabetes, coronary disease, and self-reported hearing. The worse the self-rated economic status, the higher the risk of falling, (poor and worried about livelihood, OR = 3.60, 95%; CI = 1.76–7.35). (4) Conclusions: Women, hypertension, diabetes and self-reported hearing loss were identified as the risk factors of falls in the elderly. The difference of economic level affects the falls of the elderly in rural and urban areas. More fall prevention measures should be provided for the elderly in poverty.

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The Association between Hearing Loss, Postural Control, and Mobility in Older Adults: A Systematic Review

Cited by 95 publications

References 69 publications

Hearing Loss Contributes to Balance Difficulties in both Younger and Older Adults

Hearing Loss Contributes to Balance Difficulties in both Younger and Older Adults

Risk factors for falls in homebound community‐dwelling older adults

The Relationship between Self-Rated Economic Status and Falls among the Elderly in Shandong Province, China

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