Global Data on Ear and Hearing Screening in an Intellectual Disability Population.

Intellectual disability (ID) and hearing loss are frequent comorbid conditions, although otological problems often go unnoticed until picked up by screening. In the hearing program of Special Olympics (SO), athletes with ID are screened for otological problems. By retrospective analysis of all SO meetings between 2007 and 2017, more than 100,000 screenings could be included.

Postural balance problems in people with intellectual disabilities: Do not forget the sensory input systems.

Background: This pilot study aimed to explore the impact of visual, auditory and vestibular dysfunctions on the postural balance performance in adults with intellectual disabilities. Additionally, a comparison was made between the subjects with intellectual disabilities and a control group concerning static and dynamic balance tasks.

Method: Thirty adults with intellectual disabilities and 25 control subjects received a postural balance assessment.

Outcome of 10 years of ear and hearing screening in people with intellectual disability in Europe: A multicentre study.

Background: Undetected ear and hearing problems negatively impact the quality of life of people with intellectual disability.

Methods: This multicentre retrospective study describes the outcome of 10 years of ear and hearing screening in athletes with intellectual disability in seven European countries. The screening was conducted by a trained team using a strictly standardised protocol.

Vestibular function in adults with intellectual disabilities: feasibility and outcome of a vestibular screening protocol in Special Olympics athletes.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a well-adapted vestibular screening battery to objectively examine the (peripheral) vestibular function, and to explore the characteristics of potential vestibular deficits in the adult ID population.

Design: Cross-sectional study design.

Study Sample: Compared to an age- and gender-weighted control group, a heterogeneous group of forty-five adults with ID participated in the vestibular screening at the National Games of Special Olympics Belgium (2019), which consisted of a bone conduction cervical Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential (cVEMP) measurement and video Head Impulse Test (vHIT).