Center for Hearing and Communication share fall prevention tips from Alana C. Serota, MD, CCFP, CCD, physician in the Department of Metabolic Bone Disease at HSS.

Dr. Serota recommended wearing low-heeled, sturdy shoes and using any necessary assistive devices such as canes, walkers, railings or grab bars.

She said to clear the floor of extension cords, loose area rugs, toys/games/clutter and to have a well-lit path to the bathroom at night and use a flashlight in dark, unfamiliar areas (inside or out).

She also advised getting regular vision and hearing checks. She noted that hearing plays a critical role in fall prevention because it allows us to localize ourselves in space and contributes greatly to balance. An untreated 25 decibel hearing loss triples the chance of falling (based on a study of adults ages 40-69).

“So I am very much an advocate for getting regular hearing checks and, if warranted, using hearing aids,” Dr. Serota noted.

Read the full article at Chchearing.org.