Hearing Loss, Knee and Hip Replacement, and the Risk of Falls

Speaker: Janet Hock

Research shows that hearing loss is the greatest risk factor for falling, especially in older people, and following hip or knee replacement surgery or skeletal fractures. Balance is also affected by the loss of proprioception, the sense of where one’s body is in space, when nerve pathways to the brain are disrupted by orthopedic surgery. Many orthopedists and physical therapists are not aware of how important hearing is as a risk factor in falls in their surgical patients. A brief overview of diagnosis and treatment options for hearing loss will be reviewed.

Janet Hock is a retired professor, biomedical research scientist and periodontist. She has worked in university, pharmaceutical and biotech settings in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Michigan, Maine and Indiana. She is a current club member.