The Impact of Hearing Loss Severity on Balance Intervention Outcomes

The Impact of Hearing Loss Severity on Balance Intervention Outcomes

The goal of this study is to learn about how hearing loss impacts balance intervention outcomes and risk of falling in older adults. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• How does the evidence-based A Matter of Balance (AMOB) program affect older adults' falls risk and balance-related measures?
• Is the severity of someone's hearing loss related to their balance intervention (AMOB) outcomes?

Participants will:

• Complete a hearing and balance test
• Answer some questions about their background and health history, their thoughts about potential falls and how this impacts them, and their current physical activity level
• Participate in the A Matter of Balance Program, an evidence-based program that includes group discussion, activities, and exercises to reduce fall risk

Inclusion Criteria:

• age of 60 years old or greater
• absence of any major physical or health condition that would prevent participation in the intervention sessions
• English speaking

Exclusion Criteria:

• severe balance disorder diagnosis
• uncorrected severe vision impairment