Hearing Aid Amplification Improves Postural Control for Older Adults With Hearing Loss When Other Sensory Cues Are Impoverished.
L Behtani, D Paromov, K Moïn-Darbari and 5 others
PMID 38356376WHAT IT FOUND
Older adults with hearing loss and impaired balance systems stood more steadily on foam when wearing hearing aids.
The improvement was not linked to how long they had used the devices, suggesting the benefit comes from immediate access to environmental sound cues rather than long-term adaptation.
Key findings
01Postural sway area and velocity significantly improved when participants wore hearing aids compared to when they did not, specifically in the most challenging condition (eyes closed on foam).
02Hearing aid use significantly decreased reliance on somatosensory cues for sway area, suggesting amplification helps the brain weight sensory inputs more effectively when other cues are poor.
03There was no significant correlation between the improvement in postural control and the duration of hearing aid use or the degree of hearing loss.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
Only five participants had confirmed normal peripheral vestibular function; the majority had vestibular impairments, so results may not generalize to those with intact vestibular systems. The study used a within-subject design without a control group of normal-hearing individuals, making it difficult to isolate the specific contribution of hearing aids versus other factors. The sample size was small (30 participants). The study did not track actual daily usage hours of hearing aids, relying on self-report of regular use. The benefit was only significant in one of four sensory conditions (eyes closed on foam), limiting the generalizability to all balance tasks.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. Funding was provided by NSERC, IRSST, and the Foundation Caroline Durand Chair in Hearing and Aging.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume hearing aids will improve balance for all older adults with hearing loss. The benefit was only statistically significant when somatosensory input was compromised (standing on foam with eyes closed), and most participants in the study had vestibular impairments. Patients with intact vestibular function may not experience this same postural stability gain.