Can multitask training helps older adults with hearing impairment improve their walking performance?

• Hearing impairment is a prevalent health condition impacting older adults. Additional to hearing deficits, this condition impacts daily activities and physical functioning. Specifically, hearing impairment is associated with poor balance and walking performance, which in an older population can greatly increase the risk of falls.

• ︎A significant component of walking safely in a community setting is the capacity to multitask such as crossing the street while reading signs and monitoring traffic. 

• ︎Hearing impairment is associated with reduced balance and walking performance whilst multitasking. Whereas, multitask situations are often associated with decrements in walking performance such as reduced step length and velocity, with indications that older adults with hearing impairments suffer even more decrements under these conditions. 

• ︎The effects of multitasking training on walking performance is an emerging area of research, with specific training evidence to improve walking performance. Hence, multitask training may be beneficial to improve walking performance in hearing-impaired older adults.

Source:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667032121000263