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Michele Ahlman
Hearing and vision impairment and the 5-year incidence of falls in older adults
Vision and hearing loss occurring simultaneously is common in older adults. Recent studies indicate that individuals with Duel Sensory Impairment – a common condition in older adults with diabetes and cardiovascular conditions - are at an increased risk of falling. One 2016 study, published in the peer reviewed journal Age and Aging, analyzed the records of 1,478 adults over the age of 55 and found that those with Duel Sensory Impairment (hearing loss and vision loss) were more than two times likely to suffer the debilitating consequences of a fall. The conclusions of the Australian researchers were that adults over...
Michele Ahlman
Hearing Loss and the Risk of Falling
Falling is a devastating condition in older individuals. One slip on the ice or tumble in a slippery bathtub can lead to an extended hospital stay, or worse yet, long term residency in an assistive living center. One known risk factor associated with the risk of falling is hearing loss. That is, a hearing loss is a red flag for a risk for falling.
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