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The contribution of hearing to normal balance

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 August 2012

R G Kanegaonkar ,
K Amin  and
M Clarke
R G Kanegaonkar*
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Medway Maritime Hospital, Gillingham, UK
K Amin
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Medway Maritime Hospital, Gillingham, UK
M Clarke
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Medway Maritime Hospital, Gillingham, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Rahul G Kanegaonkar, ENT Department, Medway Maritime Hospital, Gillingham ME7 5NY, UK E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Introduction:

Normal balance relies on three sensory inputs: vision, proprioception and the peripheral vestibular system. This study assessed hearing change and postural control in normal subjects.

Materials and methods:

Postural control in 20 normal volunteers was assessed using a Nintendo Wii gaming console and balance board. Each subject was tested standing upright for 30 seconds in a clinic room and a soundproof room with their eyes open, eyes closed, whilst standing on and off foam, and with and without ear defenders.

Results:

There was significantly more postural sway in the following subjects: those standing with their eyes closed vs those with eyes open (normal room, p = 0.0002; soundproof room, p = 0.0164); those standing on foam with eyes open vs those standing normally with eyes open (in both rooms; p < 0.05); those standing with eyes open in a soundproof room vs a normal room (p = 0.0164); and those standing on foam in a soundproof room with eyes open and wearing ear defenders vs those in the same circumstances but without ear defenders.

Conclusion:

Our results suggest that this method provides a simple, inexpensive tool for assessing static postural control. Whilst it is recognised that visual input and proprioception play a central role in maintaining posture, our findings suggest that ambient sound and hearing may also have a significant influence.

Keywords

BalanceHearingGaitPostureVestibular Function Tests
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 126 , Issue 10 , October 2012 , pp. 984 - 988
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2012

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Footnotes

Presented as a poster at the 1st Head and Neck Congress, 2nd–6th July 2011, Barcelona, Spain

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