Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Falls in the elderly are a major source of injury that can result in disability and hospitalization. Early detection of balance deterioration and the risk of falling is thus crucial to preventive care. Older adults with hearing loss are 2.4 times more likely to experience falls than their normal-hearing peers. This study explored the utility of a self-reported hearing measure (The Amsterdam Inventory for Auditory Disability and Handicap—AIADH) as a predictor of balance problems and the risk of falling. A sample of 148 individuals (18–90 years) completed two objective hearing tests (Standard Pure-Tone Audiometry and Words-in-Noise), one self-reported hearing inventory—AIADH, one balance test—Timed Up and Go, and the Activity-Specific Balance Confidence Scale that self-reports balance. The analysis included correlation and regression analyses, moderation, sensitivity, and specificity analyses. The findings suggest that AIADH constitutes a good predictor of a decline in balance and an increased risk of falling, which complements objective hearing measures in adults aged forty and over. Prediction accuracy rises with age. The findings also reveal that out of all the AIADH subscales, the detection subscale is the best predictor of balance problems and risk of falling. Thus, using an available self-report hearing inventory can be a useful and potentially cost-effective tool for the early detection of balance problems and hearing deterioration. Health authorities should consider incorporating this type of evaluation as a remote screening tool for large populations at risk. As people get older, falls become a major health risk, especially for those with hearing loss, who are more than twice as likely to fall. This study examined whether a self-reported hearing test (AIADH) could predict balance issues and fall risk. A total of 148 individuals (ages 18–90) completed the AIADH and fall risk measures. The results showed that the AIADH is an effective predictor of balance decline, especially in adults over forty. Its accuracy improved with age, and among the AIADH subscales, the “detection” subscale was the strongest predictor of balance issues and fall risk. These findings suggest that a simple, self-reported hearing test could serve as a cost-effective screening tool for detecting balance problems early. Health authorities might consider using it for remote screenings to help prevent falls in at-risk populations. Putter-Katz et al. evaluate a self-reported hearing measure (The Amsterdam Inventory for Auditory Disability and Handicap – AIADH) as a predictor of balance problems and the risk of falling. AIADH is a good predictor of a decline in balance and an increased risk of falling, which complements objective hearing measures in adults aged over forty.
Source: Communications Medicine
Institutions: Ono Academic College, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center
Language: English
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,690
OpenAlex ID: W4410408245