Objective: To compare the risk of falling in geriatric population with and without hearing aids.
Backgound: Balance is the condition in which all the forces acting on the body are balanced such that the COM is within the stability limits, the boundaries of the base of support (BOS). Age related hearing loss (presbycusis) is the loss of hearing that gradually occurs in most of us as we grow older. Possible reasons for falls associated with hearing loss are cochlear/ vestibular pathology, poor awareness of auditory and spatial environment or mediation through the effects of hearing loss on cognitive load and shared attention. Imbalance & disequilibrium are a part of aging process & the cause of the frequent falls encountered with advancing age. Falls can & should be prevented. The pathways between hearing loss and falling are intriguing because hearing loss and falling are highly prevalent but remains mostly undertreated in older adults. In elderly, the causes of unsteadiness & falls are multifactorial & overlapping. Falls and injuries caused by falls are another group of risk factors for institutionalization that warrant further investigation, particularly since they are potentially modifiable.
Methodology: 60 samples were taken with hearing impairement, 30 of them using hearing aids, 30 not using hearing aids between 4-6 months. Consent form was taken. .Risk of falls was assessed using the four square step test (FSST). To perform the test, the square was formed using 4 canes resting flat on the floor. The subject standing in square 1 facing square 2. The aim is to step as fast as possible into the squares in the following sequence- square 2, 3, 4, 1, 4, 3 2 and 1. This sequence required the subject to step forwards, backwards and sideways. The stop watch was started as soon as the patient steps into step 2 and was end as soon as the patient steps into square 1 with both feet. Readings were noted. Two such readings were taken and best score was considered.
Result and Conculsion: After 6 months of study, data was analyzed using unpaired t test. Mean value of group A=18.2633 and of group B=14.5503
Study show that there is statistical significant difference between FSST score of Group A and Group B (p value is 0.0052)
Also, there is no significant correlation between the compared age and FSST score of group A and group B respectively.
Hence this study concluded that there is increased risk of fall in individuals not using hearing aids in comparison with individuals using hearing aids.
Impact Factor
2022: 6.012
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