Author(s): ZWIERZCHOWSKA, A., GAWEL, E., KRUZYNSKA, A., SLOMKA, A., ZEBROWSKA, A., JURAS, G., Institution: AKADEMIA WYCHOWANIA FIZYCZNEGO IM. JERZEGO KUKUCZKI W KATOWICACH, Country: POLAND, Abstract-ID: 751

INTRODUCTION:
Cochlear implantation (CI) surgery has become a prevalent method of hearing rehabilitation, since it has been acknowledged that it impacts effectively on the vestibular system. However, there is still no consensus among clinicians on the most appropriate age and area (lateral/bilateral) of CI surgery in terms of postural control.
METHODS:
A direct-participatory observation method and experimental method were used in this study to assess the anthropometric profile of the participants and their postural stability performance with different visual and auditory perceptions. 27 adolescent students with hearing loss participated in the study. A force plate (Accu Gait AMTI) with computer software (NetForce) was used in the study to assess the postural stability with four different conditions(eyes open (EO)/closed (EC), CI activated/deactivated).
RESULTS:
vCOP was found to have a significant growing tendency within the conditions of CI activated/deactivated.No statistically significant relationships were noted between the range of the displacement of feet pressure (Area) and both the visual and auditory conditions. Hearing loss etiology was statistically significantly related to the values of vCOP, within the conditions of EO, CI activated/deactivated (p<0.01), what did not occure with the condition of EC (p>0.05). Neuromuscular control with the condition of EC x CI deactivated was found to be based on the kinesthetic-tactual compensatory model.
CONCLUSION:
Kinesthetic sensation and exteroceptors of the superficial sensation seem to be the predominant source of information to maintain postural control in late CI
adolescents, regardless of the visual and auditory conditions, thus in order to improve neuromuscular control in this population, it is recommended that the patients perform physical activity tasks, especially to develop core muscles, based on direct stimulation and rotational stability.