Date of Award

6-2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Program

Speech and Hearing Science

Track

Audiology

Research Advisor

Patrick Plyler, PhD

Committee

Steven Doettl, AuD, PhD; Patti Johnstone, PhD; James Lewis, AuD, PhD, Devin McCaslin, PhD

Keywords

hearing loss; vestibular; balance; postural control

Abstract

The present study investigated postural control measures in adults with age-related hearing loss (ARHL). Individuals between the age of 50 and 70 were recruited (10 with normal hearing, 32 with ARHL) and evaluated using pure-tone audiometry, vestibular function assessments, and postural control measures. Results of this study revealed significant correlations between ARHL and cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMPs) and ocular VEMPs. As ARHL increased, amplitude of cervical VEMPs and ocular VEMPs decreased. There were no significant correlations for ARHL and video head impulse test (vHIT) gain. Single leg stance with head tilt was significantly associated with ARHL. As ARHL increased, the time for single leg stance with head tilt decreased. There were no significant findings for ARHL and single leg stance without head tilt, tandem walking with and without head tilt, or Romberg on foam with and without head tilt. Further investigation is needed to validate the use of single leg stance with head tilt as a potential screening measure for decreased postural control in individuals with ARHL.

Declaration of Authorship

Declaration of Authorship is included in the supplemental files.

ORCID

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9975-7887

DOI

10.21007/aetd.cghs.2024.0004

Additional Files
2024-004-Tobener-AETD DOA..pdf (287 kB)
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