Method and Materials: This research is carried out for development and evaluation of 25 phonemically balanced word lists for Persian speaking adults in two separate stages: development and evaluation.In the first stage, in order to balance the lists phonemically, frequency -of- occurrences of each 29phonems (6 vowels and 23 Consonants) of the Persian language in adults speech are determined. This section showed some significant differences between some phonemes&apos frequencies. Then, all Persian monosyllabic words extracted from the Mo ‘in Persian dictionary. The semantically difficult words were refused and the appropriate words choosed according to judgment of 5 adult native speakers of Persian with high school diploma.12 openset 25 word lists are prepared. The lists were recorded on magnetic tapes in an audio studio by a professional speaker of IRIB.In the second stage, in order to evaluate the test&aposs validity and reliability, 60 normal hearing adults (30 male, 30 female), were randomly selected and evaluated as test and retest.Findings:1- Normal hearing adults obtained 92-1 0O scores for each list at their MCL through test-retest.2- No significant difference was observed a/ in test-retest scores in each list (‘P>O.05) b/ between the lists at test or retest scores (P>0.05), c/between sex (P>0.05).
Conclusion: This research is reliable and valid, the lists are phonemically balanced and equal in difficulty and valuable for evaluation of Persian speaking adults speech recognition.

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In this study, we tried to put forward some formulas for interpreting Alternate Binaural Loudness Balance (ABLB) test results by using characteristics of ABLB graphs. Last step of loudness balancing (in dB HL) and thresholds of both ears are considered as formulas variables. The procedure includes: At first, resulting values are put in a formula to obtain type of graph slope. If the slope represents different recruitment (complete, partial or hyper recruitment), the second formula (last test step value ratio) will be used to determine recruitment types. It should be mentioned that in determining exact ABLB test results, ± 10 dB variability must be considered as a test error. As a result, mentioned formulas have not been an exception and this error factor was included in computing them. In next step, we tried to reduce test time which may be considered as a dilemma for test by using this method. Therefore, the test includes only the last step of loudness balancing and the mentioned formulas are used to obtain the test results. At last, the results of this method were compared to the graph procedure for determining their effectiveness.

Background and Aim: Research conducted since the early 1900s has consistently identified differences between deaf and hearing children on performance of a wide variety of motor tasks, most notably balance. Our study was performed to test static and dynamic balance skills in congenital severe to profound hearing impaired children in comparison with normal age-matched children.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 30 severe to profound hearing impaired and 40 normal children with age 6 to 10 years old. Bruininks-Oseretsky test of motor proficiency 2, balance subset with 9 parts was used for evaluation of balance skills.
Results: Hearing-impaired children showed 16.7 to 100% fail results in 7 parts of the balance subset. In normal children fail result was revealed just in 3 parts of the balance subset from 2.5 to 57.5%, and differences between two groups were significant (p<0.0001). There was a significant difference between two groups in two static balance skills of standing on one leg on a line and standing on one leg on a balance beam with eyes closed (p<0.0001).
Conclusion: It seems that development of static balance skills are longer than dynamic ones. Because severe to profound hearing-impaired children showed more weakness than normal children in both static and dynamic balance abilities, functional tests of balance proficiency can help to identify balance disorders in these children.

Background and Aim: The somatosensory system is one of the most effective systems in balance control. It consists of peripheral and central components. Knowing the role of these components in balance control assists the developing of effective rehabilitation protocols. In some diseases peripheral components and in others central components are impaired. This paper reviews the effect of impairment of peripheral and central components of the somatosensory system on balance control.
Methods: In this study publication about somatosensory impairments from 1983 through 2011 in PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest, Google Scholar, Iran Medex, Iran Doc and Magiran were reviewed. Medical subject headings terms and keywords related to balance, somatosensory, somatosensory loss, and sensory integration/processing were used to perform the searches.
Conclusion: Somatosensory impairments either with peripheral or central origin, can cause problems in balance control. However, these problems are not considered in some patients. In these impairments, balance training is recommended to be used alongside other routine treatments in the patients' rehabilitation programs.

Background and Aim: All activities of daily living need to balance control in static and dynamic movements. In recent years, a numerous increase can be seen in the functional balance assessment tools. Functional balance tests emphasize on static and dynamic balance, balance in weight transfer, the equilibrium response to the imbalances, and functional mobility. These standardized and available tests assess performance and require minimal or no equipment and short time to run. Functional balance is prerequisite for the most static and dynamic activities in daily life and needs sufficient interaction between sensory and motor systems. According to the critical role of balance in everyday life, and wide application of functional balance tests in the diagnosis and assessment of patients, a review of the functional balance tests was performed.
Methods: The Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Magiran, Iran Medex, and IranDoc databases were reviewed and the reliable and valid tests which were mostly used by Iranian researchers were assessed.
Conclusion: It seems that Berg balance scale (BBS) have been studied by Iranian and foreign researches more than the other tests. This test has high reliability and validity in elderly and in the most neurological disorders.

Background and Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of whole-body vibration on postural control. The literature of the past 10 years were reviewed to find evidence in the recent literature for a causal association between whole-body vibration and balance disorders, and a dose-response relationship between whole-body vibration and balance disorders.

Methods: Literature search was performed on PubMed, CINAHL, ISI web of science, Scopus, and Magiran databases for literature from 2002 to 2012.

Conclusion: Numerous randomized-controlled clinical trials of high to moderate quality showed similar improvements in postural control after a period of whole-body vibration. Despite the lack of definite evidence, we found a sufficient number of reasons for the use of whole-body vibration in balance disorders. Future research in this field should aim to clarify the most effective dosage of whole-body vibration.

Background: Balance disorders are common in patients following stroke. There are a number of physiotherapy modalities to treat balance impairments, one of which is vibration. The effects of vibration on balance disorders after stroke have not been investigated. This case report demonstrates the short-term effects of plantar vibration on the balance impairment of a patient with stroke.

Case presentation: A 72-years-old man with right hemiplegia resulted from stroke was admitted for vibration therapy after not responding to standard rehabilitation interventions. He complained of balance problems despite walking independently. Main studied outcomes were timed up and go test and posturography. Foot sensation, ankle plantar flexor spasticity, and the passive range of ankle dorsiflexion were assessed, as well. Vibration with a frequency of 100 Hz was introduced to the sole of the affected foot for 5 minutes. After intervention, all tests were improved compared to the baselines.

Conclusion: This case showed that the vibration was effective for improving balance disorder after stroke.