Background: Postural balance is important to allow us to maintain the daily life. Poor postural response and reduced motor activity were shown to be most prominent among obese persons than in non-obese. It is found that obese elderly groups show a high prevalence of fall and supposed that adipose tissue distribution may be considered as a major factor to balance problems. In this research, we studied computerized dynamic posturography (CDP) static and dynamic tests among healthy adults according to their BMI classification (underweight/normal weight/ overweight/obese). Results: We found a significant difference between studied groups among the different scores recorded from sensory organization test and rhythmic weight shift test, which means the presence of an effect of increased body mass index on the different sensory systems required to maintain balance control and the motor strategy used to maintain balance. In obese elderly subjects, there was increased reliance on vestibular system to maintaining balance. With increasing BMI, there was decrease in visual dependence in maintaining balance. Conclusions: Increased body weight affects the balance function of the normal individual. Computerized dynamic posturography is a good test to study static and dynamic status among obese subjects. So we found a positive relation between aging, BMI, and postural control.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to assess the benefits of customized vestibular rehabilitation with visual desensitization in the management of visual vertigo (VV). Methods: This retrospective study included 65 patients suffering from VV with situational characteristic questionnaire more than 0.9. Patients who did not complete the follow up in the VV clinic were not included in the analysis. Patients underwent customized vestibular rehabilitation using graded and progressive gaze stabilization exercises without background followed by introduction of visual stimulation (e.g. patterned wallpaper) and optokinetic DVD for home training to promote visual desensitization. The Situational Characteristic Questionnaire (SCQ), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Nijmegen Questionnaire and Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) were used to assess patient symptoms before and after the vestibular rehabilitation. Results: Seventy-five per cent of subjects in the study had statistically significant improvement in the SCQ from 2.31 ± 0.73 to 1.89 ± 0.88 after the rehabilitation. Sixty-three per cent of patients had statistically significant improvement in the Nijmegen questionnaire from 27.03 ± 9.94 to 24.75 ± 11.88 after the rehabilitation. There was statistically insignificant difference in the HADS score from 9.69 ± 4.28 to 9.76 ± 5.21 after the rehabilitation. Although there was improvement in the total DHI score as well (from 53.87 ± 16.289 to 50.10 ± 20.413), this was statistically insignificant. However, there was statistically significant improvement in the DHI some subgroups (physical and functional scores) and statistically non-significant improvement in other subgroups (emotional score and total score). The mean duration of rehabilitation was 6.8 ± 5 months. Correlation analysis between SCQ score and other questionnaire scores after the rehabilitation shows significant positive correlation between the post-rehabilitation SCQ questionnaire and other questionnaires. Conclusions: Customized vestibular rehabilitation incorporating visual desensitization exercises with optokinetic DVD results in significant improvement in VV symptoms.

Background Persons with hearing loss may have difficulty in speech understanding, so they need to shift more resources from other on-going cognitive tasks. This increase in cognitive resources has been referred to as an increase in “listening effort: (LE). Two research questions were addressed: (Q1) Does hearing loss increase LE? (Q2) Can hearing aid (HA) amplification improve LE? Methods This study included 55 subjects that were divided into two groups: control group (I), which consisted of 15 adults with normal peripheral hearing, and study group (II), which consisted of 40 patients with bilateral SNHL. They were subdivided into two subgroups: study subgroup (IIa), which consisted of 20 patients did not use (HAs). The study subgroup (IIb) consisted of 20 patients using unilateral or bilateral HAs. LE was measured by subjective (Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ), Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS)) and behavioral measures (dual-task paradigm test (simultaneous primary auditory task (QuickSIN test) and secondary visual task (reaction time and Stroop test)). Results Hearing loss patients showed higher fatigue scores and lower scores in SSQ than the normal hearing subjects. They also showed significantly longer reaction times (RTs) in dual conditions. No significant difference was found between patient with SNHL with and without HAs in all tests. Conclusion Patients with SNHL with and without HAs showed more LE than the normal hearing subjects (Q1). Hearing aid fitting does not reduce LE (Q2). HA users showed less listening effort in favorable listening situation (higher signal-to-noise ratio) than those who did not use HAs. Increased LE is a consequence of hearing loss which could not be measured by standard audiometric measures, so it should be considered when measuring disability in those with hearing loss.