The contribution of hearing to normal balance

Abstract

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.

Environmental factors that affect the Fukuda stepping test in normal participants

“…4 No single clinical test should be Previous studies have suggested that postural control and sway may be influenced by a variety of factors including tactile sensations, mental tasks and, more recently, auditory information. 1,6,7 Our study supports the concept that auditory cues influence spatial awareness and hence influence the extent of rotation observed during this clinical test. The extent of both rotation and displacement was greater in a soundproofed room compared with in a standard room, but was significantly lower when participants were concomitantly exposed to a sound-localising source (in this study, a metronome).…”

The Contribution of Hearing and Hearing Loss to Balance Control

“…Kanegaonkar et al [2012] proposed that each individual has a pre-existing hearing spatial map which helps with postural control. Therefore, the effects of familiarity of auditory cues may contribute to postural sway.…”

“…However, the nature of the auditory system's involvement is unclear, with conflicting results between studies which suggest that a lack of sound [Kanegaonkar et al, 2012 ] or the presence of sound may increase postural sway in subjects with normal hearing [Raper and Soames, 1991;Tanaka et al, 2001;Park et al, 2011].…”

Improvements in Gait With Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants

“…Spatial audition is an additional input that can affect stability during quiet standing (1-4). The ability of external auditory inputs to stabilize gait has not been examined and is particularly important as falls are particularly likely to occur during ambulation (5).…”