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The impact of conductive hearing loss on balance
Author(s) -
Horowitz Gilad,
Ungar Omer J.,
Levit Yael,
Himmelfarb Mordechai,
Handzel Ophir
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
clinical otolaryngology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.914
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1749-4486
pISSN - 1749-4478
DOI - 10.1111/coa.13473
Subject(s) - posturography , medicine , audiology , balance (ability) , hearing loss , conductive hearing loss , balance problems , vertigo , vestibular system , physical medicine and rehabilitation , surgery
Background Balance is a complex process involving the coordinated activities of multiple sensory, motor and biomechanical components. Balance function may be disturbed in subjects suffering from hearing loss but the impairment has been attributed to the pathology underlying the hearing loss. Aim The purpose of the study was to investigate the possible interference of simulated conductive hearing loss with the ability to maintain postural balance. Methods Twenty normal‐hearing subjects, 20‐30 years old, underwent the computerised dynamic posturography test battery before and after plugging their external ear canals with earplugs, thus simulating a 40dB conductive hearing loss. Results Eighteen females and two males were tested before and after plugging their ear canals. Average CHL was 40 ± 4.9dB. The composite equilibrium score was significantly diminished after plugging the ears with an average sway score of 73.5% ( P < .05, T = 2.27). The fourth test condition was specifically affected with an average sway score of 72.85% with earplugs ( P < .05, T = 2.37). Conclusions Conductive hearing loss has a negative effect on balance. This can be theoretically explained by the association between hearing loss and saccular dysfunction.