The Impact of Auditory Input on Postural Control in Adults with Unilateral Cochlear Implants.

Introduction: This study aims to investigate the impact of auditory input on postural control in young adult cochlear implant users with profound sensorineural hearing loss. The research explores the relationship between auditory cues and static postural stability in individuals with hearing impairment.

Methods: 34 young adult cochlear implant users, consisting of 15 males and 19 females aged 18-35 years, underwent various balance tests, including the modified Clinical Tests of Sensory Interaction on Balance (mCTSIB) and the Unilateral Stance Test (UST), under different auditory conditions: (1) White noise stimulus present with the sound processor activated, (2) Ambient noise present with the sound processor activated, and (3) Sound processor deactivated. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the participants' postural control performance in relation to auditory stimuli.

Results: Statistical analysis revealed that participants exhibited better postural control in the presence of white noise stimuli compared to when the sound processor was turned off in the UST (p = .001) and Fukuda Stepping Test [in terms of displacement (p = .004)]. The composite mCTSIB scores showed no significant difference between sound processors off, sound processors on with ambient noise, and sound processors on with broadband white noise conditions.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that access to auditory cues through cochlear implants plays a crucial role in preserving static postural control in young adults with hearing impairment. This study highlights the positive effect of auditory information on balance performance in individuals with cochlear implants and profound hearing loss. Future research is recommended to further explore the impact of auditory stimuli on dynamic postural abilities and to include preoperative balance assessments in individuals undergoing cochlear implantation (CI).