Ryota Sakurai1, Hiroyuki Suzuki2, Susumu Ogawa2, Masatoki Takahashi3, Yoshinori Fujiwara2. 1. Research Team for Social Participation and Community Health, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, 35-2 Sakae-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-0015, Japan. Electronic address: r_sakurai@hotmail.co.jp. 2. Research Team for Social Participation and Community Health, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, 35-2 Sakae-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-0015, Japan. 3. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital, 35-2 Sakae-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-0015, Japan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The influence of age-related hearing loss on slow gait has been suggested; however, whether it is associated with increased gait variability, an important predictor of fall risk, remains unclear. RESEARCH QUESTION: Is poor auditory acuity associated with increased gait variability, and does this gait change relate to accidental falls among older adults with hearing loss? METHODS: We studied 107 older adults (mean age, 76.5 years; 80.5 % women). Auditory acuity was measured using a pure tone average (PTA) of hearing thresholds for 0.5-4 kHz tones in the better-hearing ear. Hearing loss was defined as a PTA of >25 dB. Gait speed and spatiotemporal variability (i.e., stride length and time variabilities) were assessed using a 5-m electronic walkway. We also assessed the occurrence of multiple falls within the previous year. RESULTS: Fifty-two participants (48.6 %) experienced hearing loss. Multiple regression analysis adjusted for potential covariates showed that poor PTA was associated with slower gait speed and stride length variability, but not stride time variability. Among older adults with hearing loss, fall occurrence was associated with an increased stride length variability and not a slow gait or increased stride time variability. SIGNIFICANCE: The association between hearing loss and increased gait variability observed in the present study suggests that age-related hearing loss can jeopardize gait control during daily activities. This leads to increased gait variability and increased risk of accidental falls. Our results provide additional information on how age-related hearing loss increases the risk of falls.
BACKGROUND: The influence of age-related hearing loss on slow gait has been suggested; however, whether it is associated with increased gait variability, an important predictor of fall risk, remains unclear. RESEARCH QUESTION: Is poor auditory acuity associated with increased gait variability, and does this gait change relate to accidental falls among older adults with hearing loss? METHODS: We studied 107 older adults (mean age, 76.5 years; 80.5 % women). Auditory acuity was measured using a pure tone average (PTA) of hearing thresholds for 0.5-4 kHz tones in the better-hearing ear. Hearing loss was defined as a PTA of >25 dB. Gait speed and spatiotemporal variability (i.e., stride length and time variabilities) were assessed using a 5-m electronic walkway. We also assessed the occurrence of multiple falls within the previous year. RESULTS: Fifty-two participants (48.6 %) experienced hearing loss. Multiple regression analysis adjusted for potential covariates showed that poor PTA was associated with slower gait speed and stride length variability, but not stride time variability. Among older adults with hearing loss, fall occurrence was associated with an increased stride length variability and not a slow gait or increased stride time variability. SIGNIFICANCE: The association between hearing loss and increased gait variability observed in the present study suggests that age-related hearing loss can jeopardize gait control during daily activities. This leads to increased gait variability and increased risk of accidental falls. Our results provide additional information on how age-related hearing loss increases the risk of falls.