Effect of hearing aid use on balance in young adults with hearing loss

Abstract

Background Hearing aids, primarily used for auditory rehabilitation, may also enhance vestibular function and postural control by leveraging the close interplay between hearing and balance systems. This study aimed to investigate the impact of hearing aid use on vestibular function and postural control in young adults with hearing loss, eliminating age-related con founders often present in previous research. Research question Can hearing aid use enhance vestibular and postural functions in young adults with sensorineural hearing loss? Study design A prospective, controlled clinical study. Setting Conducted in a university-affiliated audiology and vestibular research center. Methods Forty adults aged 18–50 with bilateral moderate sensorineural hearing loss participated in this six-month study. Vestibular and balance functions were assessed before and after hearing aid use using video head impulse test (vHIT), cer vical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP), static posturography, and standardized questionnaires, including the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I), and Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI). A control group matched for age and gender with normal hearing was also evaluated. Results Significant improvements in vHIT gain and cVEMP amplitude values were observed following six months of hear ing aid use (p<0.0001). Furthermore, balance-related disability decreased substantially, as evidenced by improved BBS, FES-I, and DHI scores (p<0.0001). These findings indicate enhanced vestibular response and reduced fall risk. Despite improvements, scores in the patient group remained lower than those of the control group. Significance Our results highlight the therapeutic potential of hearing aids in improving vestibular and postural functions in young adults with hearing loss. This study underscores the critical role of auditory inputs in balance control and supports the integration of early auditory rehabilitation strategies to mitigate balance-related challenges.