The Prevalence of Balance Impairment in Children with Hearing Impairment

Balance Issues in Hearing-Impaired Children

Authors

  • Erum Ghaffar a:1:{s:5:"en_US";s:19:"Hajvery University ";}
  • Noor ul huda Hajvery University
  • Sara Fatima Hajvery University
  • Qindeel Fatima Hajvery University
  • Muhammad Ali Haider Hajvery University
  • Noor Ul Ain Hajvery University
  • fatima mazhar Hajvery University
  • barjees ahmad Hajvery University
  • Rimsha tariq Hajvery University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61919/jhrr.v4i3.1245

Keywords:

Sensorineural hearing loss, Time Up and Go, Standardized Walking Obstacle Course, Balance

Abstract

Background: Deafness, defined as a hearing impairment so severe that it prevents processing linguistic information through auditory senses, is believed to be linked to delays in motor development, including balance.

Objective: To figure out the prevalence of balance impairment in children with hearing impairment.

Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed, involving 377 children aged between 8 and 15 years with hearing impairments, selected through non-probability convenient sampling. Data were collected from special education schools using the Standardized Walking Obstacle Course (SWOC) and Timed Up and Go (TUG) tests. The data were compiled and analyzed using SPSS version 25, with descriptive statistics used to present the findings.

Results: The study included 377 children with a mean age of 11.08 years; 21.5% were female, and 78.5% were male. Approximately 77.7% of participants demonstrated poor balance skills in the SWOC test, while 37.1% showed fair or poor performance in the TUG test.

Conclusion: The study found a high prevalence of balance impairment in children with hearing impairments. Both male and female participants reported symptoms of balance impairments, with 77.7% demonstrating poor balance skills in the SWOC test and 37.1% showing fair or poor performance in the TUG test. These findings suggest that children with hearing impairments are at significant risk for balance deficits.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

De Kegel A, Dhooge I, Peersman W, Rijckaert J, Baetens T, Cambier D, et al. Construct Validity of the Assessment of Balance in Children Who Are Developing Typically and in Children With Hearing Impairments. Phys Ther. 2010;90(12):1783-94.

Shumway-Cook A, Brauer S, Woollacott M. Predicting the Probability for Falls in Community Using the Timed Up & Go Test. Phys Ther. 2000;80(9):896-903.

Westcott SL, Lowes LP, Richardson PK. Evaluation of Postural Stability in Children: Current Theories and Assessment Tools. Phys Ther. 1997;77(6):629-45.

Siegel JC, Marchetti M, Tecklin JS. Age-Related Balance Changes in Hearing-Impaired Children. Phys Ther. 1991;71(3):183-9.

Wiegersma PH, Van der Velde A. Motor Development of Deaf Children. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 1983;24(1):103-11.

Goodman J, Hopper C. Hearing Impaired Children and Youth: A Review of Psychomotor Behavior. Adapt Phys Act Q. 1992;9(3):214-36.

Lindsey D, O'Neal J. Static and Dynamic Balance Skills of Eight-Year-Old Deaf and Hearing Children. Am Ann Deaf. 1976;121(1):49-55.

Horn DL, Pisoni DB, Miyamoto RT. Divergence of Fine and Gross Motor Skills in Prelingually Deaf Children: Implications for Cochlear Implantation. Laryngoscope. 2006;116(8):1500-6.

Holecko C. Developing Stability and Balance Skills in Kids. Verywell Family. 2020 Oct 4.

De Souza Melo R, Lemos A, Falcão Raposo MC, Belian RB, Ferraz KM. Balance Performance of Children and Adolescents With Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Repercussions of Hearing Loss Degrees and Etiological Factors. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2018;110:16-21.

Gheysen F, Loots G, Van Waelvelde H. Motor Development of Deaf Children With and Without Cochlear Implants. J Deaf Stud Deaf Educ. 2008;13(2):215-24.

Cushing SL, Papsin BC, Rutka JA, James AL, Gordon KA. Evidence of Vestibular and Balance Dysfunction in Children With Profound Sensorineural Hearing Loss Using Cochlear Implants. Laryngoscope. 2008;118(10):1814-23.

Effgen SK. Effect of an Exercise Program on the Static Balance of Deaf Children. Phys Ther. 1981;61(6):873-7.

Wink ME. Current Balance Levels in Deaf and Hearing-Impaired Children. Deaf Hear Res. 2018 Dec.

Lieberman A, Zevin A, Hahn K, Lapka K, Lopatin J, Magas I, et al. Balance Control in Individuals With Hearing Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Vestib Res. 2023 Aug 9.

Rao Soft Inc. Sample Size Calculator. Available from: http://www.raosoft.com/samplesize.html

Shamay S, Ng M, Chan SC, Chan AK, Chung HH, Lee NK, et al. Reliability and Concurrent Validity of Standardized Walking Obstacle Course Test. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2017;49(9):1465-70.

Wong T, Goh PG, Poon CY, Leung CY, Lau BP. Balance Performance in Children With Unilateral and Bilateral Severe-to-Profound-Grade Hearing Impairment. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2013 Dec;31(2):81-7.

Walicka-Cupryś M, Rottermund J, Opłac A, Guzik A, Piwoński P. Body Balance of Children and Youths With Visual Impairment (Pilot Study). Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Sep.

Downloads

Published

2024-08-06

How to Cite

Ghaffar, E., Noor ul huda, Sara Fatima, Qindeel Fatima, Muhammad Ali Haider, Noor Ul Ain, fatima mazhar, barjees ahmad, & Rimsha tariq. (2024). The Prevalence of Balance Impairment in Children with Hearing Impairment: Balance Issues in Hearing-Impaired Children. Journal of Health and Rehabilitation Research, 4(3), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.61919/jhrr.v4i3.1245

Most read articles by the same author(s)

1 2 > >>