Walking and balance in older adults with age-related hearing loss: A cross-sectional study of cases and matched controls.

Background: Hearing loss (HL) is prevalent in older individuals. It is suggested that there is an association between age-related HL, walking and balance, leading to poorer function and increased risk of falls in older individuals.

Research Question: Is HL associated with physical performance, gait variability, and postural sway in older adults, and will additional dizziness moderate the effect of HL on balance?

Methods: In this cross-sectional study we examined 100 older individuals (age ≥70 years, 60 % females), divided in two groups, with or without age-related HL.

Hearing threshold and physical performance in older people: a cross-sectional study from the HUNT4 cohort.

Purpose: To evaluate the association between increased hearing loss and reduced physical performance in older people.

Methods: Cross-sectional population-based study using data from the fourth wave of the Trøndelag Health Survey (HUNT4) in Norway. Data were obtained from the subproject HUNT4 Hearing which collected audiometric data of people > 70 years (N = 13,197).