The Impact of Hearing Loss Severity on Balance Intervention Outcomes

University of Arkansas29 enrolled

Overview

The goal of this study is to learn about how hearing loss impacts balance intervention outcomes and risk of falling in older adults. The main questions it aims to answer are: * How does the evidence-based A Matter of Balance (AMOB) program affect older adults' falls risk and balance-related measures? * Is the severity of someone's hearing loss related to their balance intervention (AMOB) outcomes? Participants will: * Complete a hearing and balance test * Answer some questions about their background and health history, their thoughts about potential falls and how this impacts them, and their current physical activity level * Participate in the A Matter of Balance Program, an evidence-based program that includes group discussion, activities, and exercises to reduce fall risk

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Hearing Loss Fall Postural Balance

Interventions

A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns about FallsBEHAVIORAL

A Matter of Balance is an evidence-based program targeting physical activity and fall prevention for adults 60 years of age and older. This program incorporates active learning discussions and activities along with exercise training to reduce the fear of falling, improve fall efficacy and management, and increase physical activity levels in older adults.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 60 YearsMax age: 90 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * age of 60 years old or greater * absence of any major physical or health condition that would prevent participation in the intervention sessions * English speaking Exclusion Criteria: * severe balance disorder diagnosis * uncorrected severe vision impairment

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in postural sway from baseline to after completion of AMOB

Postural sway will be assessed using a Balance Tracking Systems pressure plate.

Time frame: baseline and within 1 month post training

Secondary Outcomes

Change in balance confidence from baseline to after completion of AMOB

Assessed via the Activity-Specific Balance Confidence Scale. Each item is rated as a percentage reflecting an individual's level of confidence in being able to perform the activity without losing their balance (0% - no confidence, 100% - completely confident). The ratings are then averaged across the 16 items for the total score. A higher score suggests higher self confidence related to balance.

Time frame: baseline and within 1 month post training

Change in falls risk from baseline to after completion of AMOB

Assessed via Falls Risk Questionnaire. Point values are allocated to each questionnaire item (range: 0-14) with higher scores suggesting a greater falls risk.

Time frame: baseline and within 1 month post training

The Impact of Hearing Loss Severity on Balance Intervention Outcomes

Overview

Conditions

Interventions

Eligibility

Locations (1)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes