There are 250,000 deafblind people in the UK today.
The majority of deafblind people over the age of 50 have acquired form.
Usher Syndrome us the most common form of deafblindness (which can also impact on speech) and is genetic or caused by both parents carrying the same faulty gene. levels of hearing/vision and vocal loss variate from person to person, with some having near normal hearing and voice. However like all forms of sensory loss Usher syndrome characteristically causes decrease in senses with age.
Causes of deafblindness at birth include alcohol and drug abuse, infections (including herpes), viruses, premature or traumatic birth.
Many with acquired deafblindness have been able to hear and see normally throughout life. Acquired deafblindness can happen at any age. Causes can be illness, injury and age.
There are 7 million deaf/hard of hearing people in the UK. Deafness either from birth or later in life can have considerable impact on employment dependent on level of loss and ability to cope.
Life can be very challenging for anyone with sensory loss, although modern computers, mobile phones etc help enhance life for deaf/hard of hearing and those also affected by speech problems.
Although some people with milder forms of dual loss of senses can have a fairly normal life, those with more severe loss are less fortunate especially those with acquired loss.
There are a number of gadgets readily available for people with partial dual sensory loss, hearing loss or those born deaflind automatically instructed in the art of braille. Many gadgets also apply to singular sensory loss.
People with acquired loss in adulthood rarely know braille, enhanced sensory loss can mean gadgets for single or moderate loss are useless. There is virtually no gadgets on the market within reasonable price range for acquired loss in adulthood.
Some of the can't do's with severe acquired dual loss adulthood.
Use an adapted braille vibrating clock or watch.
Use phones or mobile phones.
Use flashing door bells.
Listen to TV or radio or read subtitles (captions).
Read books, magazines.
Use the computer.
Cook.
Clean up, select clothes to dress in.
Communicate...the list goes on. Some things can be done with assistance.
Like many progressive disabilities the mind remains as active as ever, the difference is they can neither see nor hear anything or anyone to fill the emptiness.
Even someone with minimal hearing or vision or both is often denied the ability to perform normal tasks in society in an independent manner.
The fact is there are NO adjustments made in society.
Even using a bank card in a cash machine can be impossible if vision is very low.
Everyone has the right to access services and have their disability included. Hard of hearing have inductive loop systems installed almost everywhere, they can also depend on vision to help them. The same applies with blind people who depend on hearing. Wheelchair bound have ramps and other adaptations which allow some freedom of movement and participation.
Given the enormous number of people affected by some form of sensory loss and the natural further decline or sometimes complete loss of senses in older age. Plus the fact we are an aging population then making changes, adaptations and inclusions to society now has never been more important...
The majority of deafblind people over the age of 50 have acquired form.
Usher Syndrome us the most common form of deafblindness (which can also impact on speech) and is genetic or caused by both parents carrying the same faulty gene. levels of hearing/vision and vocal loss variate from person to person, with some having near normal hearing and voice. However like all forms of sensory loss Usher syndrome characteristically causes decrease in senses with age.
Causes of deafblindness at birth include alcohol and drug abuse, infections (including herpes), viruses, premature or traumatic birth.
Many with acquired deafblindness have been able to hear and see normally throughout life. Acquired deafblindness can happen at any age. Causes can be illness, injury and age.
There are 7 million deaf/hard of hearing people in the UK. Deafness either from birth or later in life can have considerable impact on employment dependent on level of loss and ability to cope.
Life can be very challenging for anyone with sensory loss, although modern computers, mobile phones etc help enhance life for deaf/hard of hearing and those also affected by speech problems.
Although some people with milder forms of dual loss of senses can have a fairly normal life, those with more severe loss are less fortunate especially those with acquired loss.
There are a number of gadgets readily available for people with partial dual sensory loss, hearing loss or those born deaflind automatically instructed in the art of braille. Many gadgets also apply to singular sensory loss.
People with acquired loss in adulthood rarely know braille, enhanced sensory loss can mean gadgets for single or moderate loss are useless. There is virtually no gadgets on the market within reasonable price range for acquired loss in adulthood.
Some of the can't do's with severe acquired dual loss adulthood.
Use an adapted braille vibrating clock or watch.
Use phones or mobile phones.
Use flashing door bells.
Listen to TV or radio or read subtitles (captions).
Read books, magazines.
Use the computer.
Cook.
Clean up, select clothes to dress in.
Communicate...the list goes on. Some things can be done with assistance.
Like many progressive disabilities the mind remains as active as ever, the difference is they can neither see nor hear anything or anyone to fill the emptiness.
Even someone with minimal hearing or vision or both is often denied the ability to perform normal tasks in society in an independent manner.
The fact is there are NO adjustments made in society.
Even using a bank card in a cash machine can be impossible if vision is very low.
Everyone has the right to access services and have their disability included. Hard of hearing have inductive loop systems installed almost everywhere, they can also depend on vision to help them. The same applies with blind people who depend on hearing. Wheelchair bound have ramps and other adaptations which allow some freedom of movement and participation.
Given the enormous number of people affected by some form of sensory loss and the natural further decline or sometimes complete loss of senses in older age. Plus the fact we are an aging population then making changes, adaptations and inclusions to society now has never been more important...