Postural control characterization according to age and auditory input in cochlear implant users

Abstract

Aims/Objectives: Understand the relationship between auditory input and balance motor control.

Material and Methods: Twelve prelingual adolescent cochlear implant users (CIU) and 12 adult postlingual CIU were tested by posturography on a force platform with eyes open in two conditions, with the cochlear implant (CI) on and off. Energy consumption (EC) of the body center of pressure sway signal was measured, calculating total EC and divided into three bands of frequencies; low (B1) 0–0.1 Hz, medium (B2) 0.1–1 Hz, and high (B3)1–2 Hz. Wilcoxon and Mann–Whitney tests were used for statistical analysis and the significance level was P ≤ 0.05.

Results: Prelingual CIU decrease the EC in low and high frequencies throughout the adolescence (P < 0.05) assessed with the CI turned on, while it did not show any modification with the CI off. Postlingual CIU showed a deterioration of PR related to aging when evaluated with the CIU turned off, P < 0.05 in band 1. However, with the CI turned on they had no significant increase in this age range.

Conclusions and Significance: The acoustic input improved EC of postural responses in higher and lower frequencies in adolescence and with aging which suggests a relationship with gross and fine movements involved in postural control.

Keywords:

• Cochlear implants
• Postural control
• Hearing
• Auditory input
• Posturography
• Motor development
• Vestibular deficit
• Hearing loss

Notes on contributors

Alejo Suarez Magister in Medical Sciences, PRONIBIO, Universidad de la República, Uruguay. Attending physician at British Hospital. Director of Cochlear Implant Program in Uruguay. Member of Laboratory of Otoneurology.

Enrique Ferreira PhD in Electric and Informatics, Carnegie Mellon University. Director of Master in Electric Engeneering Sciences and professor at Dept of Electrical Engeneering, Universidad Catoloca del Uruguay.

Belen Garcia Pintos Member of the Laboratory of Otoneurology; Neurophysiology technician.

Sofia Arocena member of Laboratory of Otoneurology.

Hamlet Suarez, PhD Universidad de la República, Uruguay. Director of Laboratory of Otoneurology; Board Member of the Collegium Otolaryngologicum Amicitiae Sacrum; former member of the International Committee of ARO.