The impact of age-related hearing loss and lateralized auditory attention on spatiotemporal parameters of gait during dual-tasking among community dwelling older adults

This investigation assessed the impact of hearing loss and lateralized auditory attention on spatiotemporal parameters of gait during overground dual-tasking by the use of the dichotic listening task. Seventy-eight right-handed, healthy older adults between 60 and 88 years were assigned to a Young-Old (<70 years) or an Old-Old (>71 years) group. Cognitive assessment and pure tone audiometry were conducted. Spatiotemporal parameters of gait quantified by mean (M), and coefficient of variations (CoV) were evaluated with the OptoGait system during 3 dichotic listening conditions: Non-Forced, Forced-Right and Forced-Left. Factorial analyses of variance and covariance were used to assess group differences and the moderating effects of hearing status, respectively. Results demonstrated that three of the gait parameters assessed were affected asymmetrically by the dual-task paradigm after controlling for hearing status. Asymmetries existed on step width, gait speed and variability of stride length. Finally, correlations between gait outcomes and dichotic listening results showed that M and CoVs in gait parameters during right-ear responses were longer compared with left-ear. Left-ear responses were related to increased variability on stride length, which indicates higher difficulty level. Hearing status varying from normal to mild levels of hearing loss modulates spatiotemporal gait outcomes measured during dichotic listening execution. Findings suggest that attending to left side stimuli relates to increased gait variability, while focusing on right-side assures a safe walk. Results demonstrated that attending to right-ear stimuli is an adaptive strategy for older adults that compensates for limited sensorimotor and cognitive resources during walking.