Influencing Factors on the Vestibular Function of Deaf Children and Adolescents - Evaluation by Means of Dynamic Posturography

Abstract

Abstract:Objectives: Previous studies have shown that both motor exercises and vestibuloocular tests reveal a difference in the balance function of deaf and normal-hearing children and adolescents.The purpose is to evaluate the influence on balance function of the hearing status. Material and Methods:A total of 80 children and adolescents between the ages of 4 and 20 years were studied. Of these, 40 children were either deaf or severely hearing impaired. The remaining 40 were control subjects of equivalent age without hearing or balance impairment.The EquiTest ® , a device used in computerized dynamic posturography, was employed for the investigations. Mean equilibrium and latency scores from both groups were compared using t-tests for unrelated random samples. Results:The deaf children achieved significantly lower equilibrium scores and latency scores than the control group. A positive linear relationship exists between the age of the subjects and the equilibrium scores obtained. Gender, extent of hearing loss and cause of deafness have no significant effect on the balance function of the deaf children. Deaf subjects with normal caloric excitability achieved significantly higher equilibrium scores than those with vestibular deficits. Conclusions:The results support the hypothesis that damage to the cochlea, whatever its cause, may also detrimentally affect the vestibular organ. They do not, however, exclude the possibility that the poorer balance proficiency shown by deaf children may have other possible causes, such as CNS damage.The fact that equilibrium scores increase with increasing age can be seen as indicating the maturation of central nervous mechanisms involved in integrating the various sensory qualities in the sense of balance.An improvement in vestibular function through special training appears plausible, although this would necessitate diagnosis at a very early stage.

Quantification of postural stability in minimally disabled multiple sclerosis patients by means of dynamic posturography: an observational study

“…As regards mechanical perturbation, instead, the most widespread test is the Sensory Organization Test (SOT, NeuroCom, Natus Medical Incorporated, US) that can impose rotational perturbations in the anteroposterior direction to the subjects. SOT has been widely used in healthy subjects [23, 24], in subjects with vestibular dysfunctions [25, 26] and in MS patients, to elucidate specific postural responses related to MS severity [27, 28] and to investigate the benefits of the rehabilitation treatments [10]. Di Fabio et al [25] used SOT to detect vestibular deficits, finding a correlation between balance performances and vestibular impairment, as well as Schwab et al [26].…”

“…SOT has been widely used in healthy subjects [23, 24], in subjects with vestibular dysfunctions [25, 26] and in MS patients, to elucidate specific postural responses related to MS severity [27, 28] and to investigate the benefits of the rehabilitation treatments [10]. Di Fabio et al [25] used SOT to detect vestibular deficits, finding a correlation between balance performances and vestibular impairment, as well as Schwab et al [26]. Fjeldstad et al [27] tested SM subjects by using SOT and showed significant differences on postural stability between MS and control groups and a good correlation between the standard Berg Balance Scale BBS and the SOT score.…”

Análise postural da coluna vertebral: estudo comparativo entre surdos e ouvintes em idade escolar

“…Um aspecto que poderia justificar os resultados obtidos na presente pesquisa, principalmente, os dados relacionados ao grupo de escolares surdos, são os achados de Horak et al (27), que avaliaram 42 crianças com perda auditiva sensório-neural e relataram que anormalidades na função do sistema vestibular podem ser observadas de 49 a 95% nestas crianças, nas provas calóricas e rotatórias, nas quais estão envolvidos os canais semicirculares horizontais, núcleos vestibulares, núcleo e músculos oculomotores, responsáveis pela regulação do controle postural. Outras pesquisas também informam que a hipoatividade do sistema vestibular é um achado frequente em avaliações otoneurológicas em crianças com perda auditiva sensório-neural (28,29). Tais dados poderiam justificar a alta ocorrência de alterações posturais no grupo dos escolares surdos deste estudo, visto que o sistema vestibular é um dos três sistemas sensoriais responsáveis pela regulação do controle postural.…”

Prevalence of Vestibular Dysfunction in Children With Neurological Disabilities: A Systematic Review

“…The low-quality study by Zhou et al (19) reported a prevalence of 91.3% for saccular dysfunction through VEMP testing. The fair quality studies (40,47,49,53,54), reported a prevalence of semi-circular canal abnormality between 5 and 58.8%. Only one fair quality study (47), reported a hyperfunction of 3%.…”