scholarly journals Hearing Loss Is Associated with Increased Variability in Double Support Period in the Elderly

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 278
Author(s):  
Betsy Szeto ◽  
Damiano Zanotto ◽  
Erin M. Lopez ◽  
John A. Stafford ◽  
John S. Nemer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Auditory Feedback ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Double Support ◽  
Gait Parameters ◽  
Hearing Thresholds ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Risk Of Falls ◽  
The Right

Hearing loss is a disabling condition that increases with age and has been linked to difficulties in walking and increased risk of falls. The purpose of this study is to investigate changes in gait parameters associated with hearing loss in a group of older adults aged 60 or greater. Custom-engineered footwear was used to collect spatiotemporal gait data in an outpatient clinical setting. Multivariable linear regression was used to determine the relationship between spatiotemporal gait parameters and high and low frequency hearing thresholds of the poorer hearing ear, the left ear, and the right ear, respectively, adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and the Dizziness Handicap Inventory–Screening version score. Worsening high and low frequency hearing thresholds were associated with increased variability in double support period. Effects persisted after adjusting for the effects of age and perceived vestibular disability and were greater for increases in hearing thresholds for the right ear compared to the left ear. These findings illustrate the importance of auditory feedback for balance and coordination and may suggest a right ear advantage for the influence of auditory feedback on gait.

Low vitamin D status is associated with hearing loss in the elderly: a cross-sectional study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Betsy Szeto ◽  
Chris Valentini ◽  
Anil K Lalwani
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Vitamin D Status ◽  
Total Calcium ◽  
Mineral Density ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Increased Risk

ABSTRACT Background The elderly are at increased risk of both hearing loss (HL) and osteoporosis. Bone mineral density (BMD) has been putatively linked to HL. However, the roles of serum calcium concentrations and vitamin D status have yet to be elucidated. Objectives The purpose of this study was to examine the relation between vitamin D status, parathyroid hormone (PTH), total calcium, BMD, and HL in a nationally representative sample of elderly adults. Methods Using the NHANES (2005–2010), audiometry and BMD data of 1123 participants aged ≥70 y were analyzed in a cross-sectional manner. HL was defined as pure tone averages >25 dB HL at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz (low frequency); 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz (speech frequency); and 3000, 4000, 6000, and 8000 Hz (high frequency) in either ear. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the relation between HL and total 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], PTH, total calcium, and BMD, adjusting for covariates. Results In multivariable analyses, total 25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL was found to be associated with greater odds of low-frequency HL (OR: 2.02; 95% CI: 1.28, 3.19) and speech-frequency HL (OR: 1.96; 95% CI: 1.12, 3.44). A 1-unit decrease in femoral neck BMD (OR: 4.55; 95% CI: 1.28, 16.67) and a 1-unit decrease in total spine BMD (OR: 6.25; 95% CI: 1.33, 33.33) were found to be associated with greater odds of low-frequency HL. Serum PTH and total calcium were not found to be associated with HL. Conclusions In the elderly, low vitamin D status was associated with low-frequency and speech-frequency HL. Low vitamin D status may be a potential risk factor for age-related HL.

The Occlusion Effect in Unilateral Functional Hearing Loss

1970 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-40
Author(s):  
Gary Thompson ◽  
Marie Denman
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Bone Conduction ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
The Right ◽  
Occlusion Effect

Bone-conduction tests were administered to subjects who feigned a hearing loss in the right ear. The tests were conducted under two conditions: With and without occlusion of the non-test ear. It was anticipated that the occlusion effect, a well-known audiological principle, would operate to draw low frequency bone-conducted signals to the occluded side in a predictable manner. Results supported this expectation and are discussed in terms of their clinical implications.

scholarly journals Role of CASP7 polymorphisms in noise-induced hearing loss risk in Han Chinese population

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanmei Ruan ◽  
Jinwei Zhang ◽  
Shiqi Mai ◽  
Wenfeng Zeng ◽  
Lili Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Chinese Population ◽  
Conditional Logistic Regression ◽  
Han Chinese ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Environment Interaction ◽  
Noise Induced Hearing Loss ◽  
Han Chinese Population ◽  
Hearing Thresholds ◽  
Increased Risk

AbstractGenetic factors and gene-environment interaction may play an important role in the development of noise induced hearing loss (NIHL). 191 cases and 191 controls were selected by case–control study. Among them, case groups were screened from workers exposed to noise in binaural high-frequency hearing thresholds greater than 25 dB (A). Workers with hearing thresholds ≤ 25 dB (A) in any binaural frequency band were selected to the control group, based on matching factors such as age, exposure time to noise, and operating position. The blood samples from two groups of workers were subjected to DNA extraction and SNP sequencing of CASP3 and CASP7 genes using the polymerase chain reaction ligase detection reaction method. Conditional logistic regression correction was used to analyze the genetic variation associated with susceptibility to NIHL. There was an association between rs2227310 and rs4353229 of the CASP7 gene and the risk of NIHL. Compared with the GG genotype, the CC genotype of rs2227310 reduced the risk of NIHL. Compared with CC genotype, the TT genotype of rs4353229 reduced the risk of NIHL. Workers carrying the rs2227310GG and rs4353229CC genotype had an increased risk of NIHL compared to workers without any high-risk genotype. There were additive interaction and multiplication interaction between CASP7rs2227310 and CNE, and the same interaction between CASP7rs4353229 and CNE. The interaction between the CASP7 gene and CNE significantly increased the risk of NIHL. The genetic polymorphisms of CASP7rs2227310GG and CASP7rs4353229CC were associated with an increased risk of NIHL in Han Chinese population and have the potential to act as biomarkers for noise-exposed workers.

HYPERTENSION IN ELDERLY:OUR CURRENT TRENDS

2021 ◽  
pp. 56-57
Author(s):  
Rohit Arora ◽  
D.K Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Elderly Patients ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Common Disease ◽  
Old Patients ◽  
Current Trends ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Individualized Approach ◽  
Risk Of Falls ◽  
Optimal Target

Hypertension is a common disease in the elderly associated with signicant morbidity and mortality. Due to the complexity of this population, the optimal target of blood pressure (BP) control is still controversial. In this article, we conduct a literature review of trials published in English in the last 10 years which were specically designed to study the efcacy and safety of various BP targets in patients who are 70 years or older. Using these criteria, we found that the benets in the positive studies were demonstrated even with a minimal BPcontrol (systolic BP[SBP] <150 mmHg) and continued to be reported for a SBP<120 mmHg. On the other hand, keeping SBP<140 mmHg seemed to be safely achieved in elderly patients. Although the safety of lowering SBP to <120 mmHg is debated, Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial study has shown no increased risk of falls, fractures, or kidney failure in elderly patients with SBP lower than this threshold. While the recent guidelines recommended to keep BP <130/80 mmHg in the elderly, more individualized approach should be considered to achieve this goal in order to avoid undesirable complications. Furthermore, further studies are required to evaluate BPtarget in very old patients or those with multiple comorbidities.

scholarly journals The Role of Antioxidants in the Treatment of Congenital CMV-Related Hearing: A Case-Control Study

OTO Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 2473974X1984185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hilary McCrary ◽  
Veronica del Calvo ◽  
Jeremy Purser ◽  
Geoff Casazza ◽  
Albert Park
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Antioxidant Therapy ◽  
Hearing Thresholds ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Right ◽  
Control Study

Objective Antioxidants have been used as a therapeutic measure for several causes of hearing loss, and this study aims to examine the use of antioxidants in children with congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV)–related hearing loss. Study Design Case-control study. Setting Academic pediatric hospital. Subjects and Methods A retrospective chart review of pediatric patients with cCMV-related hearing loss treated with and without antioxidants (vitamins A, C, and E and magnesium, known as ACE-Mg) was completed. The primary end point was the mean change in hearing thresholds for the right and left ears after therapy. An evaluation of the mean change in thresholds was evaluated at the following frequencies: 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz, and 4000 Hz. A 2-sample t test and multiple linear regression were used to evaluate the data. Results A total of 78 children with cCMV-related hearing loss were included in the study, of whom 10 were treated with antioxidants. The average amount of time in which antioxidants were taken was 387 days. When comparing cases and controls, there was no differences in the mean change of hearing thresholds at each frequency for both the right and left ears ( P > .05). Length of antioxidant therapy and age at which therapy was initiated had no effect on hearing scores ( P > .05). Conclusions Oxidative stress plays a role in the pathogenesis of cCMV-related hearing loss. ACE-Mg is a safe adjuvant therapy for the treatment of hearing loss in children; however, this study demonstrates no hearing-related benefit from ACE-Mg antioxidant therapy.

scholarly journals Gait performance of the elderly under dual-task conditions: Review of instruments employed and kinematic parameters

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 165-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gisele de Cássia Gomes ◽  
Luci Fuscaldi Teixeira-Salmela ◽  
Flávia Alexandra Silveira de Freitas ◽  
Maria Luísa Morais Fonseca ◽  
Marina de Barros Pinheiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
The Elderly ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Step Width ◽  
Kinematic Parameters ◽  
Time Step ◽  
Double Support ◽  
Gait Parameters ◽  
Task Conditions ◽  
Double Support Time ◽  
Support Time

Introduction The physiological deterioration associated with ageing exposes elderly persons to greater risks of falls, especially during the performance of simultaneous tasks during gait. Objectives To evaluate the effects of dual tasks (DT) on spatiotemporal gait parameters and to identify the tools and tasks most commonly used to assess the performance of DT among the elderly. Method Searches of the MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and SciELO databases were conducted. Observational studies, which evaluated gait changes during the performance of DT, published up to April 2014, were selected. Results A total of 385 articles were found, of which 28 were selected. Decreases in speed and increases in stride variability, stride time, step width, and double support time were observed under DT conditions. Motion analysis systems, such as the GAITRite walkway(r) system were the mostly commonly used instruments for the analyses of kinematic parameters (16 studies). DT was most commonly assessed by arithmetic calculations in 20 studies, followed by verbal fluency, in nine studies. The gait parameters most commonly assessed were speed (19 studies), followed by stride variability (14 studies). Conclusion The elderly showed changes in spatiotemporal gait parameters under DT conditions. Gait speed and stride variability were often assessed and, together, were considered good indicators of risks of falls.

scholarly journals Parkinson’s Disease and Symptomatic Osteoarthritis Are Independent Risk Factors of Falls in the Elderly

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 117954411988493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anneli Teder-Braschinsky ◽  
Aare Märtson ◽  
Marika Rosenthal ◽  
Pille Taba
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Knee Osteoarthritis ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Symptomatic Knee ◽  
Risk Of Falls ◽  
Risk Factors For Falls

Objectives: Deteriorating functionality and loss of mobility, resulting from Parkinson’s disease, may be worsened by osteoarthritis, which is the most common form of joint disease causing pain and functional impairment. We assessed the association between symptomatic hip or knee osteoarthritis, falls, and the ability to walk among patients with Parkinson’s disease compared to a control group. Methods: A total of 136 patients with Parkinson’s disease in Southern Estonia and 142 controls with an average age of 76.8 and 76.3 years, respectively, were enrolled in a retrospective case-control study. Information on falls and related fractures during the previous year was collected from the patients with Parkinson’s disease and controls. Covariates included gender, age, mobility, duration of Parkinson’s disease, and fractures. Results: Patients with Parkinson’s disease were at an increased risk of falls compared to the control group, and for the higher risk of fractures. Symptomatic knee or hip osteoarthritis was a significant independent predictor of falls in both patients with Parkinson’s disease and controls. The higher risk for fractures during the previous year was demonstrated in symptomatic osteoarthritis. Risk factors for falls included also female gender, use of sleep pills, and the inability to walk 500 m. Conclusions: Symptomatic hip and knee osteoarthritis are risk factors for falls and related fractures among the elderly population with and without Parkinson’s disease. The inability to walk 500 m could be used as a simple predictive factor for the increased risk of falls among elderly populations.

The Association between Hearing Loss, Postural Control, and Mobility in Older Adults: A Systematic Review

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (06) ◽  
pp. 575-588 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maayan Agmon ◽  
Limor Lavie ◽  
Michail Doumas
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Postural Control ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Objective Measures ◽  
Significant Positive Association ◽  
Risk Of Falls

Background: Degraded hearing in older adults has been associated with reduced postural control and higher risk of falls. Both hearing loss (HL) and falls have dramatic effects on older persons’ quality of life (QoL). A large body of research explored the comorbidity between the two domains. Purpose: The aim of the current review is to describe the comorbidity between HL and objective measures of postural control, to offer potential mechanisms underlying this relationship, and to discuss the clinical implications of this comorbidity. Data Collection and Analysis: PubMed and Google Scholar were systematically searched for articles published in English up until October 15, 2015, using combinations of the following strings and search words: for hearing: Hearing loss, “Hearing loss,” hearing, presbycusis; for postural control: postural control, gait, postural balance, fall, walking; and for age: elderly, older adults. Results: Of 211 screened articles, 7 were included in the systematic review. A significant, positive association between HL and several objective measures of postural control was found in all seven studies, even after controlling for major covariates. Severity of hearing impairment was connected to higher prevalence of difficulties in walking and falls. Physiological, cognitive, and behavioral processes that may influence auditory system and postural control were suggested as potential explanations for the association between HL and postural control. Conclusions: There is evidence for the independent relationship between HL and objective measures of postural control in the elderly. However, a more comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms underlying this relationship is yet to be elucidated. Concurrent diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of these two modalities may reduce falls and increase QoL in older adults.

scholarly journals Increased Risk of Sudden Sensory Neural Hearing Loss in Osteoporosis: A Longitudinal Follow-Up Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 103 (8) ◽  
pp. 3103-3109 ◽  
Author(s):  
So Young Kim ◽  
Il Gyu Kong ◽  
Hyun Lim ◽  
Hyo Geun Choi
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazard ◽  
Hazard Ratios ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Korean National Health Insurance ◽  
Sensory Neural ◽  
Sensory Neural Hearing Loss

Abstract Context The results of a previous population cohort study suggested an association between osteoporosis and sudden sensory neural hearing loss (SSNHL). Objectives To use a nationwide cohort in the Korean population to investigate the risk of SSNHL in patients with osteoporosis. Design, Setting, and Participants Data entered from 2002 to 2013 were collected from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort. A total of 68,241 patients with osteoporosis aged ≥50 years were matched with 68,241 control individuals. The crude (simple) and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) of SSNHL in those with osteoporosis were analyzed using the Cox proportional hazard model. A subgroup analysis was performed according to age and sex. Results The risk of SSNHL was greater in the osteoporosis group than in the control group (adjusted HR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.37 to 1.78; P &lt; 0.001). The risk of SSNHL in those with osteoporosis was greater in patients aged &lt;60 years, regardless of sex. Women aged ≥60 years had a higher HR for SSNHL in the presence of osteoporosis (women aged 60 to 69 years: adjusted HR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.34 to 2.08; P &lt; 0.001; women aged ≥70 years: adjusted HR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.29 to 2.79; P &lt; 0.001). Conclusions The risk of SSNHL was greater for patients with osteoporosis aged ≥50 years. Middle-age adults, as well as the elderly, are at an increased risk of SSNHL in the presence of osteoporosis.

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