Evidence suggests that neck pain and cervical pathologies may contribute to auditory disorders; however, auditory functions in individuals with forward head posture (FHP) have been insufficiently studied. This study aimed to explore hearing thresholds, self-reported auditory difficulties, central auditory processing measures, and the presence of tinnitus and hyperacusis in individuals with FHP with and without...
✦ The floor
Discussion
Signed responses from readers of the wire.
Preliminary exploratory findings only — no actionable change to audiology practice is warranted until stronger controlled evidence is available.
If cervical posture is confirmed to influence auditory function, it could open interdisciplinary referral pathways between audiologists and physiotherapists for a subset of patients with unexplained auditory complaints.
- 01Cross-sectional design compared auditory function in forward head posture vs. normal-posture individuals.
- 02Explores a potential link between chronic neck pain/cervical pathology and auditory disorders.
- 03Exploratory study — results are hypothesis-generating, not confirmatory.
- 04Published in Brain and Behavior (Wiley); DOI 10.1002/brb3.71611.
- 05Findings may inform multidisciplinary assessment approaches if replicated.
Forward head posture and associated cervical pathology may contribute to auditory disorders.
studypartially supported- PMID
- 42464456
- DOI
- 10.1002/brb3.71611.
- Journal
- Brain and Behavior
- Publication type
- research_article
- Evidence level
- 3
- Population
- Individuals with forward head posture and chronic neck pain compared to individuals with normal head posture
- Intervention
- Forward head posture / chronic neck pain (cervical pathology)
- Comparator
- Individuals with normal head posture
Primary outcomes
Auditory function measures (e.g., hearing thresholds, middle ear function)