Grace A Gabriel1,2, Laurence R Harris3, Joshua J Gnanasegaram1, Sharon L Cushing1,2,3,4,5,6,7, Karen A Gordon1,2,3,4,5,6,7, Bruce C Haycock1,7, M Kathleen Pichora-Fuller2, Jennifer L Campos1,2. 1. KITE-Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada. 2. Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. 3. Department of Psychology and Centre for Vision Research, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada. 4. Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada. 5. Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. 6. Archie's Cochlear Implant Laboratory, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada. 7. University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Older adults with age-related hearing loss (ARHL) are at greater risk of falling and have greater mobility problems than older adults with normal hearing (NH). The underlying cause of these associations remains unclear. One possible reason is that age-related declines in the vestibular system could parallel those observed in the auditory system within the same individuals. Here, we compare the sensitivity of vestibular perceptual abilities (psychophysics), vestibular end-organ functioning (vestibular evoked myogenic potentials and video head impulse tests), and standing balance (posturography) in healthy older adults with and without ARHL. DESIGN: A total of 46 community-dwelling older adults, 23 with ARHL and 23 with NH, were passively translated in heave (up and down) and rotated in pitch (tilted forward and backward) in the dark using a motion platform. Using an adaptive staircase psychophysical procedure, participants' heave and pitch detection and discrimination thresholds were determined. In a posturography task, participants' center of pressure (COP) path length was measured as they stood on a forceplate with eyes open and closed, on firm and compliant surfaces, with and without sound suppression. Baseline motor, cognitive, and sensory functioning, including vestibular end-organ function, were measured. RESULTS: Individuals with ARHL were less sensitive at discriminating pitch movements compared to older adults with NH. Poorer self-reported hearing abilities were also associated with poorer pitch discrimination. In addition to pitch discrimination thresholds, lower pitch detection thresholds were significantly associated with hearing loss in the low-frequency range. Less stable standing balance was significantly associated with poorer vestibular perceptual sensitivity. DISCUSSION: These findings provide evidence for an association between ARHL and reduced vestibular perceptual sensitivity.
OBJECTIVES: Older adults with age-related hearing loss (ARHL) are at greater risk of falling and have greater mobility problems than older adults with normal hearing (NH). The underlying cause of these associations remains unclear. One possible reason is that age-related declines in the vestibular system could parallel those observed in the auditory system within the same individuals. Here, we compare the sensitivity of vestibular perceptual abilities (psychophysics), vestibular end-organ functioning (vestibular evoked myogenic potentials and video head impulse tests), and standing balance (posturography) in healthy older adults with and without ARHL. DESIGN: A total of 46 community-dwelling older adults, 23 with ARHL and 23 with NH, were passively translated in heave (up and down) and rotated in pitch (tilted forward and backward) in the dark using a motion platform. Using an adaptive staircase psychophysical procedure, participants' heave and pitch detection and discrimination thresholds were determined. In a posturography task, participants' center of pressure (COP) path length was measured as they stood on a forceplate with eyes open and closed, on firm and compliant surfaces, with and without sound suppression. Baseline motor, cognitive, and sensory functioning, including vestibular end-organ function, were measured. RESULTS: Individuals with ARHL were less sensitive at discriminating pitch movements compared to older adults with NH. Poorer self-reported hearing abilities were also associated with poorer pitch discrimination. In addition to pitch discrimination thresholds, lower pitch detection thresholds were significantly associated with hearing loss in the low-frequency range. Less stable standing balance was significantly associated with poorer vestibular perceptual sensitivity. DISCUSSION: These findings provide evidence for an association between ARHL and reduced vestibular perceptual sensitivity.
Authors: Grace A Gabriel; Laurence R Harris; Joshua J Gnanasegaram; Sharon L Cushing; Karen A Gordon; Bruce C Haycock; Jennifer L Campos Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2022-04-19 Impact factor: 4.996
Authors: Grace A Gabriel; Laurence R Harris; Denise Y P Henriques; Maryam Pandi; Jennifer L Campos Journal: Front Aging Neurosci Date: 2022-08-25 Impact factor: 5.702