ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the sensory processing abilities of adults with acquired hearing loss and determine whether their sensory processing patterns differ from those of the general population and adults with normal hearing. METHOD: The study evaluated the sensory processing functions of 30 adults with acquired hearing loss using the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile and compared them with the sensory processing functions of 30 adults with normal hearing. RESULTS: The results showed that individuals with hearing loss have a significantly higher sensitivity to stimuli related to motion, vision, activity and touch, exhibiting a low-registration sensory pattern and a sensation-avoiding pattern that differed from those of most individuals. CONCLUSION: Assessing sensory processing profiles can help identify specific sensory difficulties and inform individualised treatment plans. The study highlights the importance of considering sensory processing patterns in the management of hearing loss to improve overall well-being and quality of life for adults with hearing loss.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of an activity-based home program and an exercise-based home program on dizziness severity, balance, and independent level of daily life activities in patients with dizziness due to chronic unilateral peripheral vestibular disorders. DESIGN: A single-blind randomized controlled trial. SETTING: University dizziness management clinics. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals (N=75) between 18 and 65 years of age who had chronic unilateral peripheric vestibular disorders and vestibular rehabilitation indication. INTERVENTION: Participants were randomly divided into 3 groups: an activity-based home program (group 1/activity group), an exercise-based home program (group 2/exercise group), and a control group (group 3). After an initial assessment, all groups participated in the patient education program. In addition, the activity-based home program was administered to the first group, while the Cawthorne-Cooksey home exercise program was administered to the second group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual analog scale (VAS), Vestibular Disorders Activities of Daily Living Scale (VADL), and computerized dynamic posturography before and immediately after the treatment program. RESULTS: A statistically significant improvement was found in the activity and exercise groups in terms of VAS, VADL, Sensory Organization Test (SOT) 5, SOT 6, and SOT (composite) scores compared with the control group (P<.05). A statistically significant improvement was found in the activity group in terms of the instrumental subscale of VADL, SOT 5, SOT 6, and SOT (composite) scores compared with the exercise group. CONCLUSIONS: The activity-based home program was more effective in improving the home management task, the occupational task, and balance than the exercise-based home treatment program in patients with chronic peripheral vestibular disorders.