Falls Risk Assessments at Eastside Audiology

Many people know that falls are a leading cause of injury in adults over 65. But falls don’t have to be accepted as a “part of life” at any stage. In fact, many falls are preventable once the underlying risks are understood.

A Falls Risk Assessment is a structured evaluation designed to identify factors that may increase your likelihood of falling, so steps can be taken before an injury occurs.

Whether you’ve experienced a fall, feel unsteady, or just want a clearer picture of your stability, a professional assessment can offer reassurance and practical guidance.

What Is a Falls Risk Assessment?

A Falls Risk Assessment looks at how well the systems responsible for balance are working together. These systems include the inner ear, vision, muscles, joints, and the brain’s ability to integrate information among them.

Because balance challenges often develop gradually, early changes can be easy to overlook. Identifying them quickly helps your care team develop targeted strategies that reduce fall risk and support safer movement going forward.it.

What the Evaluation Involves

A falls risk evaluation at Eastside Audiology is personalized and focused on real-world function

1. Medical & Symptom Review

 

Your Doctor of Audiology begins by discussing factors that can influence balance, including:

  • Recent dizziness, vertigo, or imbalance
  • Previous falls or near-falls
  • Medications that may affect balance or blood pressure
  • Chronic conditions such as diabetes, neuropathy, or low blood pressure

This conversation helps us understand triggers and contributing factors to falls.

2. Functional Balance Testing

These assessments measure how your body responds during everyday movements, such as:

  • Standing with eyes open and closed
  • Changing positions (sitting to standing)
  • Walking and turning
  • Maintaining stability on different surfaces

These tests reveal how balance systems respond under realistic conditions.

3. Strength & Mobility Screening

We will assess physical factors that play a role in fall risk, including:

  • Leg strength
  • Gait pattern
  • Coordination
  • Ability to recover from small losses of balance

This step helps distinguish balance-system issues from strength or mobility limitations.

4. Risk Categorization

Based on your results, you’ll be placed into a low, moderate, or high falls-risk category. You’ll also receive personalized recommendations designed to reduce risk and support safer daily movement.

Advanced Balance Assessment with SAFE-T®

As part of our falls risk evaluations, Eastside Audiology uses the SAFE-T® evaluation board, an advanced, sensor-based balance platform that provides highly sensitive, objective data.

Thanks to this technology, we can detect subtle balance weaknesses that might not be visible during routine screening.

What the SAFE-T® System Measures

Using built-in pressure and motion sensors, the SAFE-T® board evaluates:

  • Sway patterns (direction and amount of movement)
  • Postural stability
  • Responses to visual changes
  • Responses to changes in surface support
  • Weight distribution
  • Fatigue or asymmetry in balance control

These measurements help determine whether balance challenges stem primarily from:

  • The inner ear (vestibular system)
  • Vision
  • Muscles and joints (somatosensory system)
  • Difficulty integrating information from all three systems

How We Use SAFE-T® at Eastside Audiology

Baseline Evaluation

 

Patients with dizziness, instability, or a history of falls complete a structured set of balance tasks with their provider. This provides a snapshot of your stability across different conditions.

Customized Testing

By adjusting visual input or surface stability, we can isolate where balance weaknesses appear and how your body compensates.

Tracking Progress Over Time

 

Because SAFE-T® produces numerical data and graphical reports, we can track changes across visits. This helps measure improvement following:

  • Vestibular rehabilitation
  • Epley maneuvers
  • Medical changes
  • Physical therapy
  • Lifestyle or exercise adjustments

Falls Risk Identification

The system highlights patterns associated with increased fall risk, such as excessive sway, delayed reactions, or reduced stability when visual input is limited.

Collaborative, Whole-Person Care

When appropriate, we share assessment results with other members of your care team, including:

  • Physical therapists (for targeted vestibular or balance rehabilitation)
  • ENT specialists or neurologists (for further medical evaluation)
  • Primary care providers

This collaborative approach helps ensure recommendations are well-coordinated and aligned with your overall health needs and goals.

Let’s Take a Step Toward Stability

Falls are not an inevitable or unavoidable part of aging. If you’ve noticed changes in balance, experienced a fall, or want a clearer understanding of your stability, a Falls Risk Assessment can provide valuable insight and peace of mind.

Contact Eastside Audiology today to schedule a Falls Risk Assessment and take a proactive step toward safer movement.

Call or Text