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Signia Expert Series: The Relationship Between Hearing Loss and Fall Risk

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1.  Mechanisms that have been proposed to explain the relationship between hearing loss and fall risk include The shared dysfunction of the cochlear and vestibular sensing organs Auditory cues needed for environmental awareness Cognitive resources being allocated to hear and taken away from navigation All of the above

2.  A recent systematic review included 8 studies and the combined results revealed Static balance in the aided condition improved Dynamic balance in the aided condition did not improve Static balance in the aided condition did not improve None of the above

3.  Current the following are included in a routine assessment of balance disorders by physical therapists and/or physicians Vision Somatosensory system Vestibular function All of the above

4.  Emerging evidence suggests that Hearing should be treated as part of a fall risk reduction plan Hearing can be ignored when considering fall risk Ensuring audibility in the hearing aid fitting does not matter when trying to reduce fall risk There is no relationship between hearing and fall risk

5.  Other reasons for our PT and physician colleagues to think about hearing during their assessment and treatment of balance issues include Hearing loss is not a risk factor for cognitive decline People with untreated hearing loss report decreased satisfaction with overall quality, accessibility, and receipt of information related to their hearing health care Untreated hearing loss doesn't play an important role until much later in life None of the above