Dual sensory / deafblindness
Dual sensory impairment means having both vision and hearing difficulties, also known as being deafblind. It's also sometimes called "dual sensory loss" or "multi-sensory impairment".
People can be born with sensory impairments or develop them later in life. Sometimes, hearing and vision loss happen slowly over time.
As people get older, they might think these changes are just part of aging and not notice them right away.
If you have any kind of sensory loss, there are ways to get help and support. You can talk to your GP, who can refer you to an eye or hearing specialist. They can:
- Assess how significant your sensory changes are
- Help you understand your situation better
- Assist you in registering as blind, partially sighted, or deaf
What causes deafblindness?
There are many potential causes of deafblindness. Some people are born deafblind, but in many cases the hearing and/or vision loss occurs later in life.
Causes of deafblindness include:
- age-related hearing loss
- genetic conditions, such as Usher syndrome
- an infection in a baby in the womb, such as rubella (German measles)
- cerebral palsy – a problem with the brain and nervous system that mainly affects movement and co-ordination
- eye problems associated with increasing age, such as cataracts
Signs of deafblindness
Useful contacts and information
NHS Website
The NHS website has useful information on living with deafblindness, signs of deafblindness and help and support available.
Visit the NHS deafblindness website
Kent County Council Sensory Services
Support for adults who are d/Deaf or deafblind - Kent County Council
Referral Form: Request support for someone who is deaf, blind or deafblind
Sense
Sense offers personalized, creative, and flexible support to help people connect with others and be included in the world. Their services include:
- Activities and Social Opportunities: Helping people join activities and meet others.
- Education and Work Support: Assisting with qualifications, job searches, and skill development.
- Support for Adults and Children: Providing tailored help for different age groups.
- Information and Advice: Offering guidance on communication, life stages, benefits, and safety.
- Meeting People: Creating opportunities to make friends through holidays and online connections.
Deafblind UK
Deafblind UK helps people with both sight and hearing loss live more independently and confidently. They offer:
- Practical Support: Help with daily activities like shopping and socialising.
- Emotional Support: Assistance for those feeling overwhelmed or lonely.
- Technology Help: Guidance on using devices to stay connected.
- Information and Advice: Tips on managing deafblindness.
- Holidays: Opportunities for discounted breaks
Visit the Deafblind UK website
Afasic
Afasic is a charity that supports children and young adults with Speech, Language, and Communication Needs, focusing on Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)
. They offer various services, including:
- Information and support: Resources for families to understand and manage speech, language and communication needs
- Helpline: A dedicated helpline for parents and carers to get advice and support
- Courses and workshops: Training and support for parents, carers, and professionals