Award
NIH Reporter #11323952
Investigating the Impacts of Vestibular and Auditory Function on Spatiotemporal Gait Characteristics and Spatial Navigation
Recipient
Ohio State University, Department of Otolaryngology
Award Amount
$93,976.00
Ceiling
$93,976.00
Awarded
April 27, 2026
Identifier
11323952
A research project funded by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders to study the impact of auditory and vestibular function on gait and spatial navigation, aiming to reduce fall risk in older adults.
Description
This research aims to elucidate the relationship between age-related auditory and vestibular deficits and their effects on gait and spatial navigation. The study will employ assessments including pure-tone audiometry, speech recognition in noise, vestibular perceptual thresholds, gait analysis, and spatial navigation tests. The objectives include investigating how changes in auditory and vestibular functions correlate with gait variability and spatial navigation, identifying predictors related to fall risk and impaired mobility, and developing targeted interventions to mitigate fall risk and improve quality of life. The study involves participants aged 18-89 and will be conducted at Ohio State University, Columbus, OH from May 1, 2025 to April 30, 2027.