The Investigation of Upper Extremity Performance of Normal-Hearing and Congenital Severe to Profound Hearing-Impaired Students Using YBT-UQ

Although communication problem is the main defect resulted from hearing impairment, other physical problems may be associated with it. The aim of this study was to investigate the performance of upper extremity in male and female hearing-impaired and normal-hearing students with Y Balance Test of Upper Quarter (YBT-UQ). The sample was comprised of 80 students including 40 congenital severe to profound hearing-impaired girls and boys (age: 18.10±2.77 yr and 17.95±2.56 yr) and 40 normal-hearing girls and boys (age: 17.55±0.60 yr and 17.60±0.56 yr) who were selected by the purposive non-random method from normal and deaf high schools in Guilan province. Subject's personal information, height, weight and medical records were collected using their medical profiles. The YBT-UQ was used to evaluate the performance of upper extremity in the closed kinematic chain under medial, inferior – lateral and superior – lateral directions. To compare the group's performance and directions, one-way ANOVA was used while paired t test was used to compare dominant and non-dominant extremity. Results revealed no significant difference between the performance of dominant and non-dominant upper extremities in all groups (P􀂔0.05). There were significant differences among the four groups: boys without hearing-impairment, boys with hearing-impairment, girls without hearing-impairment, and girls with hearing-impairment performed better (P<0.05). However, only the difference between normal-hearing and hearing-impaired girls was not statistically significant (P􀂕0.05). In conclusion, there was no difference in performing YBT-UQ between dominant and non-dominant upper limbs; therefore, this test can be used to evaluate and examine the injured limb. Also, regarding the defect in the dynamic balance performance of hearing-impaired subjects and the effect of gender on this defect and the importance of the upper extremity in daily routines, it is necessary to design and implement plans aiming at improving their performance.