Understanding how hearing and balance affect walking and navigation in older adults
Official title: Investigating the Impacts of Vestibular and Auditory Function on Spatiotemporal Gait Characteristics and Spatial Navigation
Funded at Ohio State University · NIH-11165502 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how changes in hearing and balance affect how older adults walk and move around, and it’s for people aged 65 and up who want to help reduce their risk of falling.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | May 1, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $92,464 |
| NIH project number | 1F32DC022769-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11165502 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults aged 65 and above who may experience hearing loss or balance issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients under the age of 65 or those without any auditory or vestibular deficits may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how age-related changes in hearing and balance impact walking patterns and the ability to navigate spaces in older adults. By examining both auditory and vestibular functions, the study aims to identify correlations between these sensory deficits and gait characteristics. Participants aged 65 and older will undergo various assessments, including hearing tests, balance evaluations, and gait analysis, to better understand the risks of falls. The findings could lead to improved strategies for fall prevention in this vulnerable population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to enhanced fall prevention strategies for older adults, reducing the incidence of falls and related injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that addressing sensory deficits can significantly improve mobility and reduce fall risk in older adults, indicating a promising avenue for this study.
Where this research is happening
-
Ohio State University
Columbus, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cannon, Shauntelle — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Cannon, Shauntelle
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.