{"id":2000,"date":"2021-12-15T19:52:39","date_gmt":"2021-12-16T00:52:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hearingsc.com\/?p=2000"},"modified":"2021-12-15T19:52:45","modified_gmt":"2021-12-16T00:52:45","slug":"a-tipping-point-how-hearing-aids-can-help-with-balance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hearingsc.com\/a-tipping-point-how-hearing-aids-can-help-with-balance\/","title":{"rendered":"A Tipping Point: How Hearing Aids Can Help with Balance"},"content":{"rendered":"

Do you ever feel unsteady when working out at Pivotal Fitness<\/a>? If so, hearing aids may help, one study suggests. Below we review what the research shows about the connection between hearing<\/a> and balance.<\/p>\n

About the Study\"Portrait<\/h2>\n

The study<\/a> in question was conducted by researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and led by Timothy E. Hullar, Professor of Otolaryngology. The accompanying article, entitled \u201cThe effect of hearing aids on postural stability,\u201d was published in the journal The Laryngoscope <\/em>in March of 2015.<\/p>\n

The purpose of the study was twofold: 1. To uncover whether the sense of hearing contributes to balance and 2. To determine whether use of hearing aids has any impact on the ability to balance.<\/p>\n

Study Methodology<\/h2>\n

Fourteen participants ages 65 to 91 were enrolled in the study.<\/p>\n

Researchers conducted standard balance tests to measure the participants\u2019 postural balance<\/a>. The tests were performed twice, once with both hearing aids turned on and again with them turned off.<\/p>\n

One test involved the participants standing on a thick foam pad with their eyes covered. Another test involved them standing with one foot in front of the other in a heel-to-toe position, again with their eyes covered.<\/p>\n

For each test, the researchers measured how long the participants could stand still, without moving their arms or feet to catch themselves.<\/p>\n

Study Results<\/h2>\n

The results are broken down as follows:<\/p>\n