The Imaging and Evaluation of Body Posture Defects in Hearing Impaired Children

Abstract

Abstract The paper presents the use of a diagnostics device Posturometer-S applied to examine body posture in hearing impaired children. 46 subjects from the Maria Grzegorzewska School and Education Centre for Hard-of-Hearing Children in Wrocław were examined. The research was conducted through the use of a Posturometer-S, which is an electronic, non-invasive measuring device attached to a computer. It enables not only the imaging and evaluation of frontal and sagittal curves of the spine, but also spinal mobility. Previous research has indicated that incorrect body posture was more often observed in hearing impaired children than in healthy ones. Hence, constant control over body posture in children with hearing loss seems vital. Correct body posture has a great influence on functioning of the entire body. The results obtained by using the Posturometer-S and anthropological measurements helped to determine the types of body posture and postural defects in the examined subjects. The apparatus used in research enabled to determine the occurrence of kyphotic, lordotic and balanced body postures, the results as follows: incorrect kyphotic postures - 10,9% of the subjects, incorrect lordotic postures - 6,4% and incorrect balanced postures - 10,9% of the examined subjects. Correct body postures were observed in 67,4% of the examined children. The most frequent body posture abnormalities were: thoracic scoliosis (19,6%) and shoulder asymmetry (26,1%). Due to the screening tests, some children were referred for further diagnostic evaluation and physiotherapy.