Materiały źródłowe

• #1

  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/deafblindness/

  Deafblindness is a combination of sight and hearing loss that affects a person’s ability to communicate, access information and get around. […] A deafblind person won’t usually be totally deaf and totally blind, but both senses will be reduced enough to cause significant difficulties in everyday life. […] In older people, it may develop gradually and the person themselves may not realise their vision and/or hearing is getting worse at first. […] If someone already has either a hearing or vision problem, it’s important to look out for signs that suggest the other sense may be getting worse too. […] There are many potential causes of deafblindness. Some babies are born deafblind, but in many cases the hearing and/or vision loss occurs later in life. […] Each deafblind person will have a different level of hearing and sight loss, which means they’ll have their own individual care needs. […] The general aims of care for a deafblind person are to preserve and maximise any remaining sight or hearing the person has, teach alternative methods of communication, and help retain or develop as much independence as possible.

• #2

  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/deafblindness/symptoms/

  A person who’s deafblind won’t usually be totally deaf and totally blind, but both senses will be reduced enough to cause difficulties with everyday activities. […] The hearing or vision problems may be present from birth, but in many cases one or both problems develop gradually as a person gets older and they may not notice it at first. […] If someone you know has a combination of the signs on this page, it’s possible they have some degree of deafblindness and should seek medical advice. […] Vision loss can also be present from birth or develop later on. […] It’s best to seek advice as soon as possible, as treatment for some underlying causes of deafblindness can be more effective if started early. […] Early diagnosis will also ensure the person is able to access local support services sooner, and enable them to plan for the future (such as learning new communication methods).

• #3 Deafblindness – Symptoms | Health Information from K’s Chemist

  https://kschemist.co.uk/nhs_conditions_deafblindness_symptoms

  A person who’s deafblind won’t usually be totally deaf and totally blind, but both senses will be reduced enough to cause difficulties with everyday activities. […] The hearing or vision problems may be present from birth, but in many cases one or both problems develop gradually as a person gets older and they may not notice it at first. […] If someone you know has a combination of the signs on this page, it’s possible they have some degree of deafblindness and should seek medical advice. […] Visit your GP if you notice any deterioration in your hearing or eyesight. […] If you’re worried about a friend or family member’s vision and hearing, encourage them to speak to their GP. […] It’s best to seek advice as soon as possible, as treatment for some underlying causes of deafblindness can be more effective if started early. […] Early diagnosis will also ensure the person is able to access local support services sooner, and enable them to plan for the future (such as learning new communication methods).

• #4 Deafblindness – Sense

  https://www.sense.org.uk/information-and-advice/conditions/deafblindness/

  Deafblindness is a disability in its own right. It means you have sight and hearing loss that affects your everyday life. Access to information, communicating with people and getting about on your own can be much more difficult. […] Being deafblind doesnt necessarily mean you are totally deaf and/or totally blind. Most people who are deafblind have some sight and some hearing. […] Even with mild sight and hearing loss, youll still experience challenges because of how having both sight loss and hearing loss affects you. […] A person is regarded as deafblind if their combined sight and hearing impairment cause difficulties with communication, access to information and mobility. This includes people with a progressive sight and hearing loss. […] Acquired deafblindness means you develop sight and hearing loss later in life. Anyone can become deafblind at any time through illness, accident or ageing.

• #5 Encyclopedia of deafblindness – Deafblind International DbI

  https://www.deafblindinternational.org/encyclopedia-of-deafblindness/

  The term deafblindness describes a condition that combines in varying degrees both hearing and visual impairment. […] All people who are deafblind experience problems with communication, access to information and mobility. […] People who are deafblind are unable to use one sense to fully compensate for the impairment of the other. […] Prenatal causes of deafblindness include rubella, cytomegalovirus and toxoplasmosis. […] Cytomegalovirus or CMV is a potential prenatal cause of deafblindness. […] Problems resulting from congenital cytomegalovirus vary but may include jaundice, bloodspots on the skin, enlargement of the liver or spleen, spasticity, mental retardation and seizures. […] Estimates suggest that of 600,000 babies born in England and Wales perhaps 2,000 will have congenital Cytomegalovirus and of these about 200 have problems as a result.

• #6 Seven Quick Facts About Deafblindness | Ability Central

  https://abilitycentral.org/article/seven-quick-facts-about-deafblindness

  Deafblindness is a combination of both sight and hearing loss. It affects a person’s ability to communicate, access information, and move around safely. […] A deafblind person will usually not be totally deaf and completely blind, but both senses will be reduced enough to cause significant difficulties in everyday life. […] Over 80 different causes and conditions of deafblindness have been identified. Some people are diagnosed at birth, and some are diagnosed later in life. […] Congenital deafblindness means the person was diagnosed at birth. […] Acquired deafblindness means the person was not deafblind at birth but later developed it. […] Deafblindness is sometimes referred to as „dual sensory loss” or „multi-sensory impairment.” The loss of multiple senses brings unique challenges to people with this diagnosis as they try to make sense of the world around them with much less information than someone with only visual or hearing impairments.

• #7 Understanding deafblindness – Sense International

  https://www.senseinternational.org.uk/our-work/understanding-deafblindness/

  Research has shown that 0.2% of the world’s population is living with severe deafblindness. A further 2% of people around the world are living with milder forms of deafblindness. […] People with deafblindness have a combination of sight and hearing impairments. This doesn’t necessarily mean that they are totally blind or totally deaf – most people with deafblindness retain a little sight and/or hearing that they are able to use. […] But even if a person has some sight and/or hearing, the severity of impairment to both these senses means that they cannot compensate for each other, which impacts significantly on the individual. […] People with deafblindness and multi-sensory impairment may also have additional physical or learning disabilities.

• #8 What is deafblindness  – Global Deafblindness Resource Hub

  https://deafblindness.info/resource/what-is-deafblindness/

  Deafblindness is a disability in its own right but is still not recognised as such in all countries. […] It means you have sight and hearing loss that affects your everyday life. Access to information, communicating with people and getting about on your own can be much more difficult. […] Even with mild sight and hearing loss, you’ll still experience challenges because of how having both sight loss and hearing loss affects you. […] Research has shown that 0.2% of the worlds population is living with severe deafblindness. A further 2% of people around the world are living with milder forms of deafblindness. […] This means approximately that 160 million people are affected by deafblindness. […] Congenital deafblindness means you are born with sight and hearing impairment, or it becomes apparent within the first two years of life.

• #9 Deaf-Blindness – Center for Parent Information and Resources

  https://www.parentcenterhub.org/deafblindness/

  There are approximately roughly 45,000 to 50,000 individuals in the U.S who are deaf-blind. […] According to the 2018 National Deaf-Blind Child Count, over 11,000 are children under the age of 21. […] The term actually describes a person who has some degree of loss in both vision and hearing. […] The amount of loss in either vision or hearing will vary from person to person. […] The National Center on Deaf-Blindness observes that the key feature of deaf-blindness is that the combination of losses limits access to auditory and visual information. […] This can severely limit an individuals natural opportunities to learn and communicate with others. […] Because deaf-blindness causes severe communication and other developmental and educational needs, its very important for children with deaf-blindness to receive special education and related services to address their individual needs.

• #10 Deafblindness – Wikipedia

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deafblindness

  Deafblindness is the condition of little or no useful hearing and little or no useful sight. Different degrees of vision loss and auditory loss occur within each individual. Because of this inherent diversity, each deafblind individual’s needs regarding lifestyle, communication, education, and work need to be addressed based on their degree of dual-modality deprivation, to improve their ability to live independently. The medical condition of deafblindness occurs in different forms. For some, this condition might happen congenitally from birth as a result of genetic defect, for others it happens suddenly due to a form of illness or accident that results in a modality deprivation of either vision or hearing, or both. A person might be born deaf and become blind at a later stage in life, or vice versa. In any given case of deafblindness, many possible onsets and causes of this condition exist; some happen gradually, others happen unexpectedly and suddenly. The diagnosis of deafblindness could be medically classified into specific types based on one’s symptoms and causes. The two overarching types of deafblindness are congenital and acquired. Congenital deafblindness: the condition of deafblindness from birth. Acquired deafblindness: condition of deafblindness developed later in life.

• #11 What is deafblindness  – Global Deafblindness Resource Hub

  https://deafblindness.info/resource/what-is-deafblindness/

  Acquired deafblindness means you develop sight and hearing loss later in life. Anyone can become deafblind at any time through illness, accident or ageing. […] There are many causes of congenital deafblindness and acquired deafblindness. […] The sooner deafblindness is diagnosed, the sooner treatment, if that is an option, or management of the condition can begin and the more helpful this is likely to be. This is especially important for babies and young children as they are growing and developing their communication skills and other development milestones.

• #12 Causes & Conditions – Anne Sullivan Centre for People who are Deafblind

  https://www.annesullivan.ie/advice-information/causes-conditions/

  Deafbindness can occur for a variety of reasons. Some people are born deafblind while others loose one or both senses later in life, either suddenly or gradually. […] People who are congenitally deafblind are hearing and vision impaired from birth. As a result, their communication and language skills can be limited and intellectual and other disabilities are often present. […] Acquired deafblindness occurs when a person loses their vision and hearing, either gradually or suddenly, during development or in adulthood. […] Acquired deafblindness can be related to a specific genetic condition from birth that wasnt detected until later in life, or occur as a result of illness or an accident. […] Age-related deafblindness is the most common cause of acquired deafblindness followed by Usher Syndrome.

• #13 What is deafblindness  – Global Deafblindness Resource Hub

  https://deafblindness.info/resource/what-is-deafblindness/

  Deafblindness is a disability in its own right but is still not recognised as such in all countries. […] It means you have sight and hearing loss that affects your everyday life. Access to information, communicating with people and getting about on your own can be much more difficult. […] Even with mild sight and hearing loss, you’ll still experience challenges because of how having both sight loss and hearing loss affects you. […] Research has shown that 0.2% of the worlds population is living with severe deafblindness. A further 2% of people around the world are living with milder forms of deafblindness. […] This means approximately that 160 million people are affected by deafblindness. […] Congenital deafblindness means you are born with sight and hearing impairment, or it becomes apparent within the first two years of life.

• #14 Encyclopedia of deafblindness – Deafblind International DbI

  https://www.deafblindinternational.org/encyclopedia-of-deafblindness/

  The term deafblindness describes a condition that combines in varying degrees both hearing and visual impairment. […] All people who are deafblind experience problems with communication, access to information and mobility. […] People who are deafblind are unable to use one sense to fully compensate for the impairment of the other. […] Prenatal causes of deafblindness include rubella, cytomegalovirus and toxoplasmosis. […] Cytomegalovirus or CMV is a potential prenatal cause of deafblindness. […] Problems resulting from congenital cytomegalovirus vary but may include jaundice, bloodspots on the skin, enlargement of the liver or spleen, spasticity, mental retardation and seizures. […] Estimates suggest that of 600,000 babies born in England and Wales perhaps 2,000 will have congenital Cytomegalovirus and of these about 200 have problems as a result.

• #15 Causes of Deafblindness | National Center on Deafblindness

  https://www.nationaldb.org/info-center/overview/causes/

  Usher syndrome is a condition characterized by partial or total hearing loss and vision loss that worsens over time. […] The most common long-term issue is hearing loss, which may be present at birth or develop later in childhood. […] Hydrocephalus is a condition in which the primary characteristic is excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that can lead to potentially harmful pressure on the tissues of the brain. Symptoms vary by age. […] High CSF pressure can damage vision due to pressure on the optic nerve or other nerves. […] It may also cause hearing loss, believed to be due directly to hydrocephalus or as a side effect of surgical shunt placement. […] Microcephaly is a condition in which a baby’s head is much smaller than expected. […] Signs and symptoms associated with microcephaly in infants depend on the severity of the condition and include seizures, developmental delay, intellectual disability, problems with movement and balance, feeding problems, and vision and hearing loss.

• #16

  https://my.vanderbilt.edu/speds2430/2020-topics/deaf-blindness/

  As of 2020, there are approximately more than 70 different known causes of deaf-blindness. The most prevalent of those causes include but are not limited to the following: premature birth, CHARGE syndrome, Usher syndrome, Down syndrome. Of all of the known causes of deaf-blindness, roughly 45% of cases appear to be attributed to hereditary disorders and syndromes, 19% continue to have an unknown etiology, and 36% are linked to prenatal congenital, postnatal, and prematurity complications. […] Unfortunately, because of the lack of visual input for those individuals that are deaf-blind, these individuals have more trouble in terms of pragmatics, or understanding language. With environmental cues being severely limited for this subgroup of individuals with deaf-blindness, it is exponentially tougher for these individuals to pick up on facial expressions and gestures, and they have difficulty recognizing objects that others refer to since they have trouble actually seeing the items. Individuals with hearing impairments generally have increased difficulty participating in both expressive and receptive speech. Since the crucial period of language development is dependent on auditory input that takes place when individuals are young, it is clear that a severe lack of auditory input for some individuals with deaf-blindness impedes these individuals abilities to develop proper communication skills throughout the rest of their lifetimes.

• #17 Deafblindness | NHS inform

  https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/eyes/deafblindness/

  Deafblindness most commonly affects older adults, although it can affect people of all ages, including babies and young children. […] In older people, it may develop gradually and the person themselves may not realise their vision and/or hearing is getting worse at first. […] A person whos deafblind wont usually be totally deaf and totally blind, but both senses will be reduced enough to cause difficulties with everyday activities. […] The hearing and/or vision problems may be present from birth, but in many cases one or both problems develop gradually as a person gets older and they may not notice it themselves at first. […] In most cases, deafblindness develops later in life. This is known as acquired deafblindness. […] A person with acquired deafblindness may be born without a hearing or sight problem and then later loses part or all of both senses. Alternatively, someone may be born with either a hearing or vision problem, and then later loses part or all of the other sense later on.

• #18 Acquired Deafblindness – Deafblind Information

  https://www.deafblindinformation.org.au/about-deafblindness/acquired-deafblindness/

  When the word acquired deafblindness is used it generally refers to adults who have become deafblind later in their life. The person was not born with this condition. It is sometimes called acquired dual sensory impairment (ADSI). It can also be called acquired dual sensory loss (ADSL). […] Acquired deafblindness refers to a combination of vision and hearing loss after a person learns to communicate. This may be using speech or using sign language. Sometimes, a child becomes deafblind before developing language. They are considered congenitally deafblind. […] There are three types of acquired deafblindness which result from different causes: A person who is born deaf or hard of hearing and later their vision starts to deteriorate, A person who is born blind or vision impaired and later their hearing starts to deteriorate, A person who is born with vision and hearing and later loses both senses (not always at the same time).

• #19

  https://111.wales.nhs.uk/encyclopaedia/d/article/deafblindness/

  In most cases, deafblindness develops later in life. This is known as acquired deafblindness. […] A person with acquired deafblindness may be born without a hearing or sight problem and then later loses part or all of both senses. […] Deafblindness may be detected soon after a baby is born, or after tests carried out later in life. […] A person may be diagnosed with deafblindness if tests show they have both hearing and vision problems. […] The level of care and support they need will depend on the severity of their hearing and vision problems.

• #20 Deafblindness – EM Doctors

  https://em-doctors.com/conditions/deafblindness/treatment/

  In most cases, deafblindness develops later in life. This is known as acquired deafblindness. […] A person with acquired deafblindness may be born without a hearing or sight problem and then later loses part or all of both senses. Alternatively, someone may be born with either a hearing or vision problem, and then later loses part or all of the other sense later on. […] Deafblindness may be detected soon after a baby is born, or after tests carried out later in life. […] In most cases, deafblindness develops as a person gets older. It can happen gradually, so you may not notice that your vision and/or hearing are getting worse at first. […] A person may be diagnosed with deafblindness if tests show they have both hearing and vision problems. […] The level of care and support they need will depend on the severity of their hearing and vision problems.

• #21 Causes & Conditions – Anne Sullivan Centre for People who are Deafblind

  https://www.annesullivan.ie/advice-information/causes-conditions/

  Acquired deafblindness in old age represents by far the largest group within the deafblind population. International research suggests that over two-thirds of people with a combination of vision and hearing loss are over the age of 70. […] As a person ages their ability to hear and see well can gradually become compromised. […] Older people often consider hearing and sight loss as a natural part of the ageing process and as a result, dont always see themselves as deafblind. […] Acquired deafblindness is also likely to be under diagnosed and in some cases the impact of dual sensory loss can be confused with cognitive decline or dementia. […] It estimated that 4 6% of the deafblind population are deafblind as a result of CHARGE Syndrome. […] Usher Syndrome is now the most common cause of deafblindness worldwide, after age-related deafblindness. Typically, a person with Usher Syndrome is born Deaf or Hard of Hearing and experiences progressive sight loss due to Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP). Symptoms include night blindness a gradual narrowing of visual field and eventual loss of sight. The severity of the deterioration and speed that sight loss progresses varies from person to person.

• #22 Encyclopedia of deafblindness – Deafblind International DbI

  https://www.deafblindinternational.org/encyclopedia-of-deafblindness/

  CHARGE Association is a multi-featured disorder characterised by a unique combination of diverse abnormalities. […] Evidence exists of other anomalies associated with this condition in addition to those above. […] Severe health problems are common in the early lives of children with CHARGE Association. […] Age-related dual sensory loss, also known as age-related deafblindness, happens when a person experiences both hearing and vision loss as they get older. […] About 1 in 5 adults over age 75 experience combined hearing and vision difficulties. […] Dual sensory loss is more common than many people realize. […] Difficulty with both hearing and sight can make everyday activities harder and more tiring. […] The emotional impact can also be significant, leading to frustration, isolation, and loss of confidence if the right supports aren’t in place.

• #23 Causes & Conditions – Anne Sullivan Centre for People who are Deafblind

  https://www.annesullivan.ie/advice-information/causes-conditions/

  Acquired deafblindness in old age represents by far the largest group within the deafblind population. International research suggests that over two-thirds of people with a combination of vision and hearing loss are over the age of 70. […] As a person ages their ability to hear and see well can gradually become compromised. […] Older people often consider hearing and sight loss as a natural part of the ageing process and as a result, dont always see themselves as deafblind. […] Acquired deafblindness is also likely to be under diagnosed and in some cases the impact of dual sensory loss can be confused with cognitive decline or dementia. […] It estimated that 4 6% of the deafblind population are deafblind as a result of CHARGE Syndrome. […] Usher Syndrome is now the most common cause of deafblindness worldwide, after age-related deafblindness. Typically, a person with Usher Syndrome is born Deaf or Hard of Hearing and experiences progressive sight loss due to Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP). Symptoms include night blindness a gradual narrowing of visual field and eventual loss of sight. The severity of the deterioration and speed that sight loss progresses varies from person to person.

• #24 American Association of the Deaf-Blind

  https://www.aadb.org/FAQ/faq_DeafBlindness.html

  Other common causes of deaf-blindness include birth trauma, optic nerve atrophy, cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, or diabetic retinopathy. Some people may be born with both hearing and visual impairments through birth trauma or rare causes such as CHARGE Syndrome or cortical visual impairment. Others may become deaf-blind through accidents or illnesses. […] Deaf-blind people can get training to learn to become independent. One example is training in orientation and mobility so they can learn to travel independently.

• #25 Deaf blindness behaviour help factsheet, causes and symptoms

  https://behaviourhelp.com/a-z-conditions-disorders/deaf-blindness

  Deaf blindness refers to the combination of hearing and visual loss that severely impedes communication, education, socialisation, mobility, employment and independent living. […] Symptoms vary due to differences in extent, type and sensory impairments; personal characteristics and skills developed, including interests (Hersh, 2013). […] Possible Signs of a Hearing Impairment: Lack of, or delayed development of, speech and language. Not responding when addressed. Difficulty with following directions or instructions. Seeming distracted and/or confused. Turning head to position ear in the direction of the speaker. Favouring one ear over another. Using a loud voice when speaking. Mispronouncing words (such as misarticulation of certain speech sounds or omitting certain consonant sounds). Asking for information to be repeated frequently. Appearing to be inattentive, restless, tired or daydreaming. Distracted easily by visual or auditory stimuli. Intently watching faces during conversation. Giving incorrect answers to questions. Not startled by loud noises. Preferring to be by themselves (i.e., playing alone rather than with a group, or withdrawing from social situations). Problems hearing environmental sounds (i.e. doorbell, telephone ringing, people calling). Sitting close to the sound source (e.g. TV, radio, and/or turning up the volume).

• #26 Deafblindness – Symptoms | Health Information from Ackers Chemist

  https://ackerschemists.com/nhs_conditions_deafblindness_symptoms

  A person who’s deafblind won’t usually be totally deaf and totally blind, but both senses will be reduced enough to cause difficulties with everyday activities. […] The hearing or vision problems may be present from birth, but in many cases one or both problems develop gradually as a person gets older and they may not notice it at first. […] If someone you know has a combination of the signs on this page, it’s possible they have some degree of deafblindness and should seek medical advice. […] Hearing loss can occur from birth or may develop gradually or suddenly later on. […] Signs that someone may have a problem with their hearing include: not hearing you if you speak to them from behind, needing to turn up the volume on the television or radio, difficulty following a conversation particularly if several people are speaking or the person they’re speaking to is unfamiliar, not hearing noises around them, such as a knock at the door or the doorbell ringing, asking others to speak loudly, slowly and more clearly, leaning in very close to hear what’s being said.

• #27 Deaf blindness behaviour help factsheet, causes and symptoms

  https://behaviourhelp.com/a-z-conditions-disorders/deaf-blindness

  Deaf blindness refers to the combination of hearing and visual loss that severely impedes communication, education, socialisation, mobility, employment and independent living. […] Symptoms vary due to differences in extent, type and sensory impairments; personal characteristics and skills developed, including interests (Hersh, 2013). […] Possible Signs of a Hearing Impairment: Lack of, or delayed development of, speech and language. Not responding when addressed. Difficulty with following directions or instructions. Seeming distracted and/or confused. Turning head to position ear in the direction of the speaker. Favouring one ear over another. Using a loud voice when speaking. Mispronouncing words (such as misarticulation of certain speech sounds or omitting certain consonant sounds). Asking for information to be repeated frequently. Appearing to be inattentive, restless, tired or daydreaming. Distracted easily by visual or auditory stimuli. Intently watching faces during conversation. Giving incorrect answers to questions. Not startled by loud noises. Preferring to be by themselves (i.e., playing alone rather than with a group, or withdrawing from social situations). Problems hearing environmental sounds (i.e. doorbell, telephone ringing, people calling). Sitting close to the sound source (e.g. TV, radio, and/or turning up the volume).

• #28 Early Signs and Symptoms That Someone May Be Deafblind | Ability Central

  https://abilitycentral.org/article/early-signs-and-symptoms-someone-may-be-deafblind

  Signs of hearing impairment include: Not hearing you if you speak to them from behind, Increasing the volume on the television or radio, Difficulty following a conversation, Difficulty with multiple voices in the same room, Not hearing sounds they used to be able to hear, Asking others to speak louder, slower, and more clearly. […] Although most cases of acquired deafblindness occur when a person is born either deaf or blind and then develops the other condition, some diseases can result in deafblindness. These include: Usher syndrome is characterized by partial or total hearing and vision loss that worsens over time. […] Congenital deafblindness is generally discovered during prenatal testing. Most cases of deafblindness present at birth cannot be treated. Acquired deafblindness can only be diagnosed through qualified doctors.

• #29 Deaf blindness behaviour help factsheet, causes and symptoms

  https://behaviourhelp.com/a-z-conditions-disorders/deaf-blindness

  Deaf blindness refers to the combination of hearing and visual loss that severely impedes communication, education, socialisation, mobility, employment and independent living. […] Symptoms vary due to differences in extent, type and sensory impairments; personal characteristics and skills developed, including interests (Hersh, 2013). […] Possible Signs of a Hearing Impairment: Lack of, or delayed development of, speech and language. Not responding when addressed. Difficulty with following directions or instructions. Seeming distracted and/or confused. Turning head to position ear in the direction of the speaker. Favouring one ear over another. Using a loud voice when speaking. Mispronouncing words (such as misarticulation of certain speech sounds or omitting certain consonant sounds). Asking for information to be repeated frequently. Appearing to be inattentive, restless, tired or daydreaming. Distracted easily by visual or auditory stimuli. Intently watching faces during conversation. Giving incorrect answers to questions. Not startled by loud noises. Preferring to be by themselves (i.e., playing alone rather than with a group, or withdrawing from social situations). Problems hearing environmental sounds (i.e. doorbell, telephone ringing, people calling). Sitting close to the sound source (e.g. TV, radio, and/or turning up the volume).

• #30 Deafblindness – Symptoms | Health Information from Ackers Chemist

  https://ackerschemists.com/nhs_conditions_deafblindness_symptoms

  Vision loss can also be present from birth or develop later on. […] Signs someone may have a problem with their vision include: problems seeing in low light or bright light, difficulty recognising people they know, finding it hard to read facial expressions, relying on touch to find and identify items more than usual, needing to hold books or newspapers close to their face, or sitting near the television, difficulty moving around unfamiliar places they may bump into or trip over things regularly, not looking directly at you or making proper eye contact. […] Visit your GP if you notice any deterioration in your hearing or eyesight. […] If you’re worried about a friend or family member’s vision and hearing, encourage them to speak to their GP. […] It’s best to seek advice as soon as possible, as treatment for some underlying causes of deafblindness can be more effective if started early. […] Early diagnosis will also ensure the person is able to access local support services sooner, and enable them to plan for the future (such as learning new communication methods).

• #31 Deaf blindness behaviour help factsheet, causes and symptoms

  https://behaviourhelp.com/a-z-conditions-disorders/deaf-blindness

  Possible Signs of a Vision impairment: Rubbing eyes during or after short periods of visual activity. Bumping or tripping into things regularly. Difficulty moving around unfamiliar places. Difficulty coping and seeing in low light or bright light. Holds book too closely; face too close to desk surface or sitting up close near technology. Problems seeing in low light or bright light. Difficulty identifying faces, facial expressions or making eye contact. Trouble with identifying colours. Relying primarily on touch to find and identify items.

• #32 Early Signs and Symptoms That Someone May Be Deafblind | Ability Central

  https://abilitycentral.org/article/early-signs-and-symptoms-someone-may-be-deafblind

  Deafblindness can be diagnosed at birth or can develop over time. This article shares early signs and symptoms. […] The initial signs of congenital deafblindness are behavioral differences. For example, the infant or child may not: turn their heads to hear where a sound is coming from, make much eye contact, react to loud noises, meet developmental milestones. […] Acquired deafblindness means the person was not born deafblind. Any of the following may apply: The person was born with neither hearing nor vision impairment but developed both. The person was born with vision impairment and later developed hearing impairment. The person was born with hearing impairment and later developed vision impairment. The loss of senses may occur quickly or slowly progress over time. […] Signs of vision impairment may include: Difficulty in seeing in low or bright light, Not recognizing people they know, Relying on touch to find and identify items, Holding reading material close to their face, Sitting closer to the TV, Bumping into things.

• #33 Deafblindness in children: a guide | Raising Children Network

  https://raisingchildren.net.au/disability/guide-to-disabilities/assessment-diagnosis/deafblindness

  Deafblindness is difficulties with both seeing and hearing. Its sometimes called dual sensory loss. […] Deafblindness is a lifelong condition. […] Most children who are deafblind have a little bit of hearing or vision. […] Children who are deafblind might have eyes and ears that look the same as everybody elses. Often, it will be something about a childs behaviour or the way they use their eyes that makes you think they might have difficulties with hearing or vision. […] But babies who are deafblind might not: turn their heads to hear where a sound is coming from, make much eye contact with you or other people, react or react slowly to loud noises, voices or sounds, make sounds, reach out and move towards things, move their arms and legs much, grasp objects, sit, pull themselves up to stand and walk by the time you expect, like being touched by people or things, like touching certain textures.

• #34 Early Signs and Symptoms That Someone May Be Deafblind | Ability Central

  https://abilitycentral.org/article/early-signs-and-symptoms-someone-may-be-deafblind

  Deafblindness can be diagnosed at birth or can develop over time. This article shares early signs and symptoms. […] The initial signs of congenital deafblindness are behavioral differences. For example, the infant or child may not: turn their heads to hear where a sound is coming from, make much eye contact, react to loud noises, meet developmental milestones. […] Acquired deafblindness means the person was not born deafblind. Any of the following may apply: The person was born with neither hearing nor vision impairment but developed both. The person was born with vision impairment and later developed hearing impairment. The person was born with hearing impairment and later developed vision impairment. The loss of senses may occur quickly or slowly progress over time. […] Signs of vision impairment may include: Difficulty in seeing in low or bright light, Not recognizing people they know, Relying on touch to find and identify items, Holding reading material close to their face, Sitting closer to the TV, Bumping into things.

• #35 DeafBlind 101: An Introduction to Combined Hearing and Vision Loss

  https://pathlore.dhs.mn.gov/courseware/DisabilityServices/DeafBlind_101/intro_causes1.html

  There are many causes of congenital deafblindness, including Usher syndrome, which accounts for more than half of all deafblindness in the United States. […] Usher Syndrome is a genetic condition that accounts for more than 50 percent of the deafblindness in the United States. Its progressive, meaning that the hearing and vision of a person with Usher Syndrome will deteriorate over time. […] A person with Usher Syndrome is typically born deaf or hard of hearing then later loses his or her vision due to retinitis pigmentosa. […] There is no effective treatment for Usher Syndrome and the person will lose all or most of both senses eventually.

• #36 Usher Syndrome | Most Common Genetic Form of Deafblindness — Hearing Health Foundation

  https://hearinghealthfoundation.org/what-is-usher-syndrome

  Usher syndrome is the most common genetic cause of deafblindness—the loss of both hearing and vision. […] The two major symptoms of Usher syndrome are hearing loss and an eye disorder, retinitis pigmentosa (RP). […] Children with Usher syndrome are born with or develop hearing loss. […] RP is a group of rare, genetic disorders that involve a breakdown and loss of cells in the retina—the light sensitive tissue that lines the back of the eye—and results in night-blindness and weakened peripheral vision. […] As RP progresses, the field of vision narrows, resulting in tunnel vision. Eventually, only central vision—the ability to see straight ahead—remains. […] Some types of Usher syndrome cause difficulties with balance because of vestibular abnormalities.

• #37 Causes & Conditions – Anne Sullivan Centre for People who are Deafblind

  https://www.annesullivan.ie/advice-information/causes-conditions/

  Three subtypes of the condition Usher Syndrome have been found and can be explained as follows; Type 1 can cause profound deafness from birth, balance (vestibular) issues from a young age and a progressive loss of vision. Type 2 causes moderate to severe hearing from birth and progressive vision loss. Type 3 usually causes progressive hearing loss at a later age and progressive vision loss. […] Currently, there is no cure for Usher syndrome. However, scientific researchers around the world are making significant advances in treating hearing loss and the retinal degeneration experienced by people with Usher Syndrome.

• #38 Usher syndrome | Better Health Channel

  https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/usher-syndrome

  Usher syndrome is a genetic condition. It is the most common genetic cause of combined vision and hearing impairment and deafblindness. People with Usher syndrome often have partial or total hearing loss and a gradual vision loss caused by retinitis pigmentosa. […] The symptoms and signs of Usher syndrome depend on the type, but generally include: hearing impairment and deafness, vision impairment leading to blindness in Usher syndrome this is caused by retinitis pigmentosa (RP). RP is a form of eye disease that results in the gradual loss of vision over time, due to deterioration of the retina. […] Vision loss starts to develop during the teenage years and may progress during life. […] Vision loss varies with each person, but often develops in the first ten years of life. […] Vision loss starts to develop during the teenage years and may progress during life. […] The loss of hearing becomes more pronounced as the person gets older. […] Balance deteriorates as the person gets older.

• #39 Causes – Canadian Deafblind Association British Columbia Chapter

  http://www.cdbabc.ca/deafblindness/causes/

  When someone is born with combined vision and hearing loss this is called congenital deafblindness. […] If the combined sight and hearing loss occurs later in life, this is called acquired deafblindness. […] Usher syndrome is the most common cause for acquired deafblindness. The major symptoms of Usher syndrome are hearing impairment and retinitis pigmentosa, an eye disorder that causes a persons vision to worsen over time. […] Individuals with Usher syndrome type 3 have normal hearing and normal to near-normal balance. Hearing worsens over time. However, the rate at which hearing and sight are lost can vary between affected individuals, even within the same family. […] By mid-adulthood, the individual is usually blind. […] Age-related hearing loss (or presbycusis) is the gradual loss of hearing in both ears. Its a common problem linked to aging. One in three adults over age 65 has hearing loss. […] Damage to the brain, such as from meningitis, encephalitis, a stroke or severe head injury.

• #40 Seven Quick Facts About Deafblindness | Ability Central

  https://abilitycentral.org/article/seven-quick-facts-about-deafblindness

  The overall impact of deafblindness on an individuals learning and development is significantly impacted based on variables including: The age deafblindness started, Degree and type of vision and hearing loss, The type of interventions provided, Educational history, Presence of other disabilities. […] While the underlying causes of deafblindness are often untreatable, a range of care and support services is available to help people with the condition. The level of care and support they need will depend on the severity of their hearing and vision problems.

• #41 Deaf-blindness – Children, Causes, Treatment | Britannica

  https://www.britannica.com/science/deaf-blindness/Deaf-blindness-in-children

  When considering deaf-blindness from a developmental perspective, it is also possible to consider deaf-blindness from both the medical and the cultural or social perspectives. […] From a developmental medical point of view, the most important aspects of deaf-blindness are the age of onset and the severity of the hearing and visual impairments. […] Deaf-blindness is likely to affect cognitive, language, social, and emotional development. […] Therefore, they spend much of their time in resting positions, often resorting to self-stimulating behaviours. […] With increasing age, the delays become greater, and it becomes difficult for them to catch up to their peers. […] Deaf-blind children’s language development is also at risk for significant delays. […] Environmental factors play an essential role in determining later outcomes in children. This is the case particularly for deaf-blind children.

• #42 Deafblindness in children: a guide | Raising Children Network

  https://raisingchildren.net.au/disability/guide-to-disabilities/assessment-diagnosis/deafblindness

  If your child is hard of hearing or has vision loss, theyll also have difficulties or delays in understanding whats going on around them. This means that deafblindness can affect other areas of your childs development. […] Early intervention is the best way to support your childs development. Early intervention includes therapies, education and other supports that will help your child reach their full potential. […] Early intervention can also help your child learn how to make sense of sounds and touch, be around other people, make friends and feel confident to explore their surroundings.

• #43 Deaf Blindness – Daisy’s Blog

  https://readwithdaisy.home.blog/2019/04/03/deaf-blindness/

  Moderate to profound auditory and significant visual impairment. […] Progressive sensory impairment. […] A significant visual impairment; and a possible loss of auditory processing mechanisms(associated with severe physical disabilities or severe cognitive disabilities) and severe communication delay. […] Children with deaf-blindness face the following challenges: Reduced incidental opportunities for language development through observation and listening to people around them as they cannot see or listen and perceive the things. […] The child who is deafblind has reduced opportunities to interact with objects and people, significantly and negatively affecting language development. […] The isolation of deaf blindness affects communication by negatively impacting the infant/caregiver relationship. […] Children who are deafblind receive dramatically less input. Input must be thoughtful and planned. […] They cannot learn from what they see like the deaf children does. they cannot learn from listening like the blind children does they learn only by what they do.

• #44 Deaf-blindness – Children, Causes, Treatment | Britannica

  https://www.britannica.com/science/deaf-blindness/Deaf-blindness-in-children

  When considering deaf-blindness from a developmental perspective, it is also possible to consider deaf-blindness from both the medical and the cultural or social perspectives. […] From a developmental medical point of view, the most important aspects of deaf-blindness are the age of onset and the severity of the hearing and visual impairments. […] Deaf-blindness is likely to affect cognitive, language, social, and emotional development. […] Therefore, they spend much of their time in resting positions, often resorting to self-stimulating behaviours. […] With increasing age, the delays become greater, and it becomes difficult for them to catch up to their peers. […] Deaf-blind children’s language development is also at risk for significant delays. […] Environmental factors play an essential role in determining later outcomes in children. This is the case particularly for deaf-blind children.

• #45 Deafblindness in children: a guide | Raising Children Network

  https://raisingchildren.net.au/disability/guide-to-disabilities/assessment-diagnosis/deafblindness

  If your child is hard of hearing or has vision loss, theyll also have difficulties or delays in understanding whats going on around them. This means that deafblindness can affect other areas of your childs development. […] Early intervention is the best way to support your childs development. Early intervention includes therapies, education and other supports that will help your child reach their full potential. […] Early intervention can also help your child learn how to make sense of sounds and touch, be around other people, make friends and feel confident to explore their surroundings.

• #46 Early Signs and Symptoms That Someone May Be Deafblind | Ability Central

  https://abilitycentral.org/article/early-signs-and-symptoms-someone-may-be-deafblind

  Deafblindness can be diagnosed at birth or can develop over time. This article shares early signs and symptoms. […] The initial signs of congenital deafblindness are behavioral differences. For example, the infant or child may not: turn their heads to hear where a sound is coming from, make much eye contact, react to loud noises, meet developmental milestones. […] Acquired deafblindness means the person was not born deafblind. Any of the following may apply: The person was born with neither hearing nor vision impairment but developed both. The person was born with vision impairment and later developed hearing impairment. The person was born with hearing impairment and later developed vision impairment. The loss of senses may occur quickly or slowly progress over time. […] Signs of vision impairment may include: Difficulty in seeing in low or bright light, Not recognizing people they know, Relying on touch to find and identify items, Holding reading material close to their face, Sitting closer to the TV, Bumping into things.

• #47 Deafblindness | NHS inform

  https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/eyes/deafblindness/

  Deafblindness most commonly affects older adults, although it can affect people of all ages, including babies and young children. […] In older people, it may develop gradually and the person themselves may not realise their vision and/or hearing is getting worse at first. […] A person whos deafblind wont usually be totally deaf and totally blind, but both senses will be reduced enough to cause difficulties with everyday activities. […] The hearing and/or vision problems may be present from birth, but in many cases one or both problems develop gradually as a person gets older and they may not notice it themselves at first. […] In most cases, deafblindness develops later in life. This is known as acquired deafblindness. […] A person with acquired deafblindness may be born without a hearing or sight problem and then later loses part or all of both senses. Alternatively, someone may be born with either a hearing or vision problem, and then later loses part or all of the other sense later on.

• #48 How to Identify Deaf-Blindness among the Infants, Toddlers, Youth, and the Elderly – Gigadocs – Online Appointment with Best Doctors | Blogs

  https://www.gigadocs.com/blog/how-to-identify-deaf-blindness-among-the-infants-toddlers-youth-and-the-elderly/

  Deaf-blindness is a rare condition impairing a persons sense of hearing and vision, restricting their ability to access auditory and visual information. […] A deaf-blind individual isnt always completely deaf and blind; however, both senses are impaired enough to cause substantial problems in daily living. […] Through deaf-blindness is most frequently seen in elders, it can affect anyone regardless of age, including babies and small children. The deaf-blindness onset can be gradual in seniors, and they may not even begin to realize their vision and/or hearing is deteriorating. […] The other signs of a deaf-blindness onset can include: demanding an increase in the volume of the television or radio, experiencing difficulties to follow a discussion due to everyday noises such as a knock at the door or a car horn necessitating others to talk loudly, carefully, and clearly, holding books or newspapers very close to their eyes to read, facing troubles in getting about in new places.

• #49 Deafblindness: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, And How To Manage The Disease

  https://www.netmeds.com/health-library/post/deafblindness-causes-symptoms-diagnosis-and-how-to-manage-the-disease?srsltid=AfmBOooyX8qK83cBnimznug8ND6QoiZTZE-tLzCNWfYVproHmZGwgkFE

  Sometimes it can happen through accident, injury, or disease. […] Deafblindness is not easy to live with. It affects a person’s ability to communicate, get information, and socialize. This leads to feelings of isolation and low self-esteem in patients since the confidence to move on their own and carry out daily tasks is not available to them anymore. […] Whether a person was born deafblind or he or she acquired vision and hearing loss through deterioration of these senses later in life plays an important role in their emotional well-being. […] In addition, progressive hearing and vision loss is being tried and tested for prevention with drugs or growth hormones besides the possibility of stem-cell treatment.

• #50 Deafblindness and dual sensory loss research: Current status and future directions

  https://www.wjgnet.com/2218-6247/full/v5/i2/37.htm

  Research in the field of acquired deafblindness has mainly been concerned with mental health and life outcome consequences among the elderly. Some of the reported findings have been, that acquired deafblindness is associated with a much higher prevalence of depression, cognitive decline, and difficulties with activities of daily living. […] Despite the uniqueness and interest in deafblindness a contradiction exists in scientific research. The number of published research reports with regard to deafblindness is sparse. A search in Pubmed on the terms deafblindness, dual sensory loss, or dual sensory impairment reveals less than 150 hits and the term deafblindness reveals less than 500 hits. Most of this research concerns people with acquired deafblindness or specific medical syndromes. Congenital deafblindness has rarely been scientifically explored or reported on.

• #51 Causes & Conditions – Anne Sullivan Centre for People who are Deafblind

  https://www.annesullivan.ie/advice-information/causes-conditions/

  Three subtypes of the condition Usher Syndrome have been found and can be explained as follows; Type 1 can cause profound deafness from birth, balance (vestibular) issues from a young age and a progressive loss of vision. Type 2 causes moderate to severe hearing from birth and progressive vision loss. Type 3 usually causes progressive hearing loss at a later age and progressive vision loss. […] Currently, there is no cure for Usher syndrome. However, scientific researchers around the world are making significant advances in treating hearing loss and the retinal degeneration experienced by people with Usher Syndrome.

• #52 Causes – Canadian Deafblind Association British Columbia Chapter

  http://www.cdbabc.ca/deafblindness/causes/

  When someone is born with combined vision and hearing loss this is called congenital deafblindness. […] If the combined sight and hearing loss occurs later in life, this is called acquired deafblindness. […] Usher syndrome is the most common cause for acquired deafblindness. The major symptoms of Usher syndrome are hearing impairment and retinitis pigmentosa, an eye disorder that causes a persons vision to worsen over time. […] Individuals with Usher syndrome type 3 have normal hearing and normal to near-normal balance. Hearing worsens over time. However, the rate at which hearing and sight are lost can vary between affected individuals, even within the same family. […] By mid-adulthood, the individual is usually blind. […] Age-related hearing loss (or presbycusis) is the gradual loss of hearing in both ears. Its a common problem linked to aging. One in three adults over age 65 has hearing loss. […] Damage to the brain, such as from meningitis, encephalitis, a stroke or severe head injury.

• #53 Causes – Canadian Deafblind Association British Columbia Chapter

  http://www.cdbabc.ca/deafblindness/causes/

  When someone is born with combined vision and hearing loss this is called congenital deafblindness. […] If the combined sight and hearing loss occurs later in life, this is called acquired deafblindness. […] Usher syndrome is the most common cause for acquired deafblindness. The major symptoms of Usher syndrome are hearing impairment and retinitis pigmentosa, an eye disorder that causes a persons vision to worsen over time. […] Individuals with Usher syndrome type 3 have normal hearing and normal to near-normal balance. Hearing worsens over time. However, the rate at which hearing and sight are lost can vary between affected individuals, even within the same family. […] By mid-adulthood, the individual is usually blind. […] Age-related hearing loss (or presbycusis) is the gradual loss of hearing in both ears. Its a common problem linked to aging. One in three adults over age 65 has hearing loss. […] Damage to the brain, such as from meningitis, encephalitis, a stroke or severe head injury.

• #54 About Deafblindness

  https://www.senseintindia.org/AboutDeafblindness.php

  Deafblindness is a unique disability that combines varying degrees of both hearing and visual impairment. All individuals with deafblindness experience extreme challenges in communication, mobility and accessing information about the world around them. […] Many people with deafblindness also have additional physical and medical conditions. […] Usher Syndrome is a genetic disorder with varying degrees of severity and progression of symptoms, characterised by hearing impairment and an eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa. […] Another cause for deafblindness is a syndrome known by its abbreviation CHARGE which is, Coloboma, Heart defects, Atresia, Retarded Growth, Genital differences, Ear anomalies. […] Deafblindness can also be caused by Cytomegalovirus, belonging to the herpes virus group.

• #55 Causes of deafblindness – Deafblind Australia

  https://www.deafblind.org.au/causes-of-deafblindness/

  Some of the most common causes of deafblindness are Rubella, CHARGE syndrome, Usher syndrome and ageing. […] Usher syndrome is the most common genetic cause of combined vision and hearing impairment and deafblindness. People with Usher syndrome often have partial or total hearing loss and a gradual vision loss caused by retinitis pigmentosa. […] Most have hearing loss, vision loss, and balance problems which delay their development and communication. […] Babies born with Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) can be affected differently. Some are only mildly affected while others have significant disability. […] One of the main challenges for older people with deafblindness is being able to move around safely.

• #56 Development & Outlook « Charge Syndrome Foundation

  https://www.chargesyndrome.org/overview/development-outlook/

  Sensory deficits in CHARGE: Hearing loss, Vision loss, Balance disturbances, Decreased or absent sense of smell and taste, Tactile defensiveness, Interoception. […] Communication Bubble: Vision, hearing, and smell are the distance senses. If all are impaired, the child does not know what is happening unless the person or object is within the “communication bubble.” […] Although nearly all children with CHARGE will be delayed, we do not know the true incidence of cognitive impairments because the appropriate educational programs are often not available early in the lives of children who are deafblind. […] Approximately 50% of individuals with CHARGE have average cognitive functioning, while 25% experience moderate delays, and 25% have very poor cognitive outcomes. […] Those with no vision impairment or no hearing impairment often have normal intelligence even as measured by standardized testing.

• #57 Development & Outlook « Charge Syndrome Foundation

  https://www.chargesyndrome.org/overview/development-outlook/

  The range of outcomes in individuals with CHARGE is as broad as it could possibly be. […] Some individuals need extensive care throughout their lives. […] Some become independent adults with families and professions. […] Most are somewhere in between – taking longer to achieve things and needing at least some degree of support throughout their lives. […] “Deafblind” does NOT always mean total deafness and total blindness, but rather refers to a combination of hearing loss and vision loss. Although most children with CHARGE have some residual hearing and/or vision, the majority can be designated “deafblind” since they have combined hearing and vision loss. […] The primary obstacles to establishing a formal communication system in CHARGE are: Combined hearing and vision loss (deafblindness).

• #58 Deafblindness and dual sensory loss research: Current status and future directions

  https://www.wjgnet.com/2218-6247/full/v5/i2/37.htm

  Deafblindness is more than the addition of hearing impairment plus vision impairment. The absence or impairment of both distance senses gives a condition which is more disabling than the sum of each. Deafblindness is rare among young people but becomes frequent at higher ages. Deafblindness can be either congenital or acquired. The heterogeneity of the population has been reported to be huge. Different levels of vision and hearing loss, different use of language modality, different kinds and severity of additional disabilities, and different medical aetiology are some of the variables splitting the group. […] Several causes are also known for acquired (post-lingual) deafblindness with Usher syndrome being the most dominant (about half of all cases) among people below 60 years of age. Usher syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by congenital or progressive hearing loss and progressive vision impairment due to the eye disease Retinitis Pigmentosa and involve several subtypes.

• #59 Deaf-Blindness Resources

  http://www.signsofself.org/Links/Deaf-Blindness_Resources/deaf-blindness_resources.html

  Deafblindness is a combination of vision loss and hearing loss that prevents access to communication, the environment, and people. A person who is DeafBlind may or may not have other physical or cognitive disabilities; each individual is different. For individuals of all ages, DeafBlindness is a unique experience separate from Deafness and from Blindness. […] Deafblindness is a disability of access to sights, sounds, and information. All people with dual sensory loss face similar challenges, including: depending on others, to a certain extent, in order to feel safe and informed, learning and using communication strategies, becoming aware of and navigating their surroundings, finding social, living, and employment situations that fit their individual talents, needs, and aspirations. […] Hearing loss causes difficulties communicating with people using spoken language, and vision loss causes problems using visual languages, such as sign language. With limited or no access to the sights, sounds, conversations, and interactions of the environment, you can imagine the difficulty DeafBlind people have in traveling around town, going shopping, and visiting the doctor.

• #60 Deaf Blindness – Daisy’s Blog

  https://readwithdaisy.home.blog/2019/04/03/deaf-blindness/

  According to the IDEA, Deaf Blindness is defined as concomitant (simultaneous) hearing and visual impairment, the combination of which cause such severe communication and other developmental and educational needs that they cannot be accommodated in special education programs solely for children with deafness or children with blindness. […] Communication and mobility are the two areas most affected by a loss of sight and hearing. […] Difficulty developing skills for communicating with others in a meaningful way. […] Trouble learning object permanence (i.e. knowing objects and people still exist when they cannot be directly seen or heard) Not fully understanding object permanence greatly impacts learning. […] Developing a distorted perception of the world (i.e due to a lack of non-distorted information from the distance senses); they typically perceive time very differently i.e time seems to pass much more slowly.

• #61

  https://my.vanderbilt.edu/speds2430/2020-topics/deaf-blindness/

  As of 2020, there are approximately more than 70 different known causes of deaf-blindness. The most prevalent of those causes include but are not limited to the following: premature birth, CHARGE syndrome, Usher syndrome, Down syndrome. Of all of the known causes of deaf-blindness, roughly 45% of cases appear to be attributed to hereditary disorders and syndromes, 19% continue to have an unknown etiology, and 36% are linked to prenatal congenital, postnatal, and prematurity complications. […] Unfortunately, because of the lack of visual input for those individuals that are deaf-blind, these individuals have more trouble in terms of pragmatics, or understanding language. With environmental cues being severely limited for this subgroup of individuals with deaf-blindness, it is exponentially tougher for these individuals to pick up on facial expressions and gestures, and they have difficulty recognizing objects that others refer to since they have trouble actually seeing the items. Individuals with hearing impairments generally have increased difficulty participating in both expressive and receptive speech. Since the crucial period of language development is dependent on auditory input that takes place when individuals are young, it is clear that a severe lack of auditory input for some individuals with deaf-blindness impedes these individuals abilities to develop proper communication skills throughout the rest of their lifetimes.

• #62 Deaf Blindness – Daisy’s Blog

  https://readwithdaisy.home.blog/2019/04/03/deaf-blindness/

  According to the IDEA, Deaf Blindness is defined as concomitant (simultaneous) hearing and visual impairment, the combination of which cause such severe communication and other developmental and educational needs that they cannot be accommodated in special education programs solely for children with deafness or children with blindness. […] Communication and mobility are the two areas most affected by a loss of sight and hearing. […] Difficulty developing skills for communicating with others in a meaningful way. […] Trouble learning object permanence (i.e. knowing objects and people still exist when they cannot be directly seen or heard) Not fully understanding object permanence greatly impacts learning. […] Developing a distorted perception of the world (i.e due to a lack of non-distorted information from the distance senses); they typically perceive time very differently i.e time seems to pass much more slowly.

• #63

  https://my.vanderbilt.edu/speds2430/2020-topics/deaf-blindness/

  Generally speaking, literacy skills are highly dependent on an array of skills that are typically attained during the early stages of language development. For individuals with deaf-blindness, however, a lack of visual and auditory input hinders the language development process, subsequently causing literacy development to be drastically impaired in most cases. As a result of this reality, reading and writing frequently seem to be the most severely impaired literacy skills for individuals with deaf-blindness. This stems from the fact that methods of reading that diverge from that of using traditional text end up being much more mentally taxing and harder to learn. […] Of the various intervention services offered for individuals with deaf-blindness, two of the most commonly-known literacy interventions are the teaching of Braille and the utilization of Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Braille allows individuals with deaf-blindness to feel for specific arrangements of raised dots that represent different letters and numbers. Although it makes literacy development much more accessible for this population, it still requires more dedication and mental energy during the learning process than traditional print alphabets. For people with both extremely impaired hearing and vision, Braille may allow this particular group to access literacy in a way that would otherwise not be possible for these individuals.

• #64 Nordic study plan deafblindness

  https://nordicwelfare.org/pub/Nordic_Study_Plan_Deafblindness/the-distinct-disability-of-deafblindness.html

  A bodily-tactile modality is necessary to support any residual vision and/or hearing in the development of communication. […] Sequential learning (difficulty grasping contexts, connections, and meaningmaking takes more time). […] Fatigue and energy loss. […] The risk of social isolation and sensory deprivation. […] A high risk that physical and psychological health, as well as social life, will be affected. […] Progression of sensory impairments and changes in modalities.

• #65 Deaf Blindness – Daisy’s Blog

  https://readwithdaisy.home.blog/2019/04/03/deaf-blindness/

  Delayed motor skills, such as crawling and reaching (because these are motivated and further developed by the use of vision and hearing); difficulties interpreting movement. […] Cognitive: Inability to perform basic academic tasks. […] Communication: Difficulty with spoken language. […] Physical: Difficulty with environment mobility. […] Deaf blindness is not caused by a single condition. […] Acquired deaf blindness refers to instances where a person becomes deaf blind later in life, as a result of a progressive condition or through infection, accident or due to the process of ageing. […] Congenital deaf blindness is a term used if a person is born with a sight and hearing impairment. […] Acquired deaf blindness is a term used if a person experiences sight and hearing loss later in life.

• #66 Deaf-Blindness – Project IDEAL

  https://www.projectidealonline.org/v/deaf-blindness/

  When these two major channels for receiving information are impaired or not functioning, it has far reaching effects on a child’s development in several areas, including: Communication/language development, Movement and motor development, Cognitive development and the ability to learn, Emotional/social development, Body image and self-concept.

• #67 Deafblindness and Mental Health | The Signs of Life

  https://thesignsoflife.com.au/deafblindness-mental-health/

  People who are deafblind face a unique set of challenges when it comes to their mental health and well-being. […] The emotional impact of deafblindness can vary greatly from person to person, however, it is generally true that many Deafblind people have challenges accessing information, communicating and socialising, which can have an impact on their emotional and mental well-being. […] There is a lack of education about mental health in this area. Deafblind services are geared more towards disability than mental health, and there are few targeted programs and services. Additionally, mainstream mental health services are not equipped to deal with the unique set of challenges and issues surrounding mental illness amongst the Deafblind. […] There is very little research available on deafblindness and mental health, and no best practice clinical guidelines or training programs.

• #68 Demystifying Deafblindness During DeafBlind Awareness Week

  https://www.allaboutvision.com/resources/news/deafblind-awareness-day/

  People who are deafblind have significant hearing and vision impairments that heavily impact their daily life. […] Approximately 2.4 million people in the U.S. have a combined vision and hearing impairment severe enough to be classified as deafblind. […] People living with deafblindness often face difficulties in daily life, including: Challenges with communication, Social isolation, Lack of independence, Difficulty moving around safely, Restricted activities, Poor physical and/or emotional health, Stress. […] DeafBlind Awareness Week helps increase understanding of the issues associated with deafblindness. It also promotes inclusivity and accessibility for deafblind people in the community. […] A person can be born with deafblindness (congenital) or it can develop later in life (acquired or age-related).

• #69 Nordic study plan deafblindness

  https://nordicwelfare.org/pub/Nordic_Study_Plan_Deafblindness/the-distinct-disability-of-deafblindness.html

  A bodily-tactile modality is necessary to support any residual vision and/or hearing in the development of communication. […] Sequential learning (difficulty grasping contexts, connections, and meaningmaking takes more time). […] Fatigue and energy loss. […] The risk of social isolation and sensory deprivation. […] A high risk that physical and psychological health, as well as social life, will be affected. […] Progression of sensory impairments and changes in modalities.

• #70

  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/deafblindness/symptoms/

  A person who’s deafblind won’t usually be totally deaf and totally blind, but both senses will be reduced enough to cause difficulties with everyday activities. […] The hearing or vision problems may be present from birth, but in many cases one or both problems develop gradually as a person gets older and they may not notice it at first. […] If someone you know has a combination of the signs on this page, it’s possible they have some degree of deafblindness and should seek medical advice. […] Vision loss can also be present from birth or develop later on. […] It’s best to seek advice as soon as possible, as treatment for some underlying causes of deafblindness can be more effective if started early. […] Early diagnosis will also ensure the person is able to access local support services sooner, and enable them to plan for the future (such as learning new communication methods).

• #71 Deafblindness – Sense

  https://www.sense.org.uk/information-and-advice/conditions/deafblindness/

  If you spot any of the above signs, speak to your GP as soon as possible. The sooner deafblindness is diagnosed, the sooner treatment, if that is an option, or management of the condition can begin and the more helpful this is likely to be. […] If you have both vision and hearing impairment/Deafness, you should be identified with deafblindness. You should also have regular checks afterwards, as the level of care and support you need might change depending on how severely each sense is affected. […] Some conditions that affect hearing and vision can be treated using medication or surgery. […] Its not always possible to treat the underlying causes of deafblindness, but care and support services are available. […] Following your assessment, an individual care plan should be drawn up to preserve and make the best of any remaining sight or hearing you have.

• #72 Deafblindness – Symptoms | Health Information from Ackers Chemist

  https://ackerschemists.com/nhs_conditions_deafblindness_symptoms

  Vision loss can also be present from birth or develop later on. […] Signs someone may have a problem with their vision include: problems seeing in low light or bright light, difficulty recognising people they know, finding it hard to read facial expressions, relying on touch to find and identify items more than usual, needing to hold books or newspapers close to their face, or sitting near the television, difficulty moving around unfamiliar places they may bump into or trip over things regularly, not looking directly at you or making proper eye contact. […] Visit your GP if you notice any deterioration in your hearing or eyesight. […] If you’re worried about a friend or family member’s vision and hearing, encourage them to speak to their GP. […] It’s best to seek advice as soon as possible, as treatment for some underlying causes of deafblindness can be more effective if started early. […] Early diagnosis will also ensure the person is able to access local support services sooner, and enable them to plan for the future (such as learning new communication methods).

• #73

  https://my.vanderbilt.edu/speds2430/2020-topics/deaf-blindness/

  Since the early years of life constitute a critical period for neurological development, early identification of deaf-blindness is vital in ensuring that these individuals attain access to the necessary interventions that will give them a better chance at developing communication skills during this time frame. Without the opportunity to receive these interventions early on, children with deaf-blindness will likely fall behind in their development of language. One of the most common interventions for individuals with deaf-blindness is the use of a cochlear implant, which is a small electrical device that stimulates the cochlear nerve to improve or restore ones ability to hear and interpret speech. Since the cochlear implant gives individuals with deaf-blindness the opportunity to take in auditory input that would not have been possible without the device, implantation of the cochlear implant earlier in life proves to be especially important in maximizing individuals abilities to develop communication skills appropriately.

• #74 Deafblindness in children: a guide | Raising Children Network

  https://raisingchildren.net.au/disability/guide-to-disabilities/assessment-diagnosis/deafblindness

  If your child is hard of hearing or has vision loss, theyll also have difficulties or delays in understanding whats going on around them. This means that deafblindness can affect other areas of your childs development. […] Early intervention is the best way to support your childs development. Early intervention includes therapies, education and other supports that will help your child reach their full potential. […] Early intervention can also help your child learn how to make sense of sounds and touch, be around other people, make friends and feel confident to explore their surroundings.

• #75 Deaf Blindness – Understanding and Supporting Learners with Disabilities

  https://dev.pressbooks.usnh.edu/understandingandsupportinglearnerswithdisabilities/chapter/deaf-blindness/

  The two overarching types of deafblindness are congenital and acquired. […] Infants and young children who are deafblind are less responsive to caregivers, exhibit few initiations to interact, have few opportunities to learn incidentally due to reduced input from both distance senses, and struggle to develop early concepts. […] There is a moderate level of evidence that early intervention services, including those offered in the home, reduce the developmental disadvantages posed by deafblindness. […] The sole use of standardized assessment instruments is inappropriate for children who are deafblind. […] Assessment of children who are deafblind should include functional vision and hearing evaluations to augment information from the audiology and ophthalmology reports as well as an assessment of the childs preferred learning channels as part of a learning media assessment. […] There is moderate evidence of the effectiveness of tactile approaches and strategies to improve communication in learners who are deafblind.

• #76 Rehabilitation healthcare professionals’ competence and confidence in differentially diagnosing deafblindness from autism spectrum disorders: a cross-sectional survey in South Africa | BMC Medical Education | Full Text

  https://bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12909-022-03258-1

  Deafblindness is often misdiagnosed as ASD because fundamentally, both conditions affect the way sensory information is accessed and processed. […] The absence of the abovementioned skills negatively impacts social participation and educational outcomes. […] A misdiagnosis or late diagnosis not only negatively impacts on the development of the child, but it deprives their families of much-needed resources and timely support. […] The findings therefore highlight the need for training of rehabilitation healthcare professionals. […] The current study is concerned with congenital deafblindness. […] Early identification and intervention, especially in the first year of life, are essential. […] The study highlights the implications at three different levels: Rehabilitation practice, Policy, and Research.

• #77 Causes & Conditions – Anne Sullivan Centre for People who are Deafblind

  https://www.annesullivan.ie/advice-information/causes-conditions/

  Acquired deafblindness in old age represents by far the largest group within the deafblind population. International research suggests that over two-thirds of people with a combination of vision and hearing loss are over the age of 70. […] As a person ages their ability to hear and see well can gradually become compromised. […] Older people often consider hearing and sight loss as a natural part of the ageing process and as a result, dont always see themselves as deafblind. […] Acquired deafblindness is also likely to be under diagnosed and in some cases the impact of dual sensory loss can be confused with cognitive decline or dementia. […] It estimated that 4 6% of the deafblind population are deafblind as a result of CHARGE Syndrome. […] Usher Syndrome is now the most common cause of deafblindness worldwide, after age-related deafblindness. Typically, a person with Usher Syndrome is born Deaf or Hard of Hearing and experiences progressive sight loss due to Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP). Symptoms include night blindness a gradual narrowing of visual field and eventual loss of sight. The severity of the deterioration and speed that sight loss progresses varies from person to person.

• #78 Deafblindness and dual sensory loss research: Current status and future directions

  https://www.wjgnet.com/2218-6247/full/v5/i2/37.htm

  Deafblindness is more than the addition of hearing impairment plus vision impairment. The absence or impairment of both distance senses gives a condition which is more disabling than the sum of each. Deafblindness is rare among young people but becomes frequent at higher ages. Deafblindness can be either congenital or acquired. The heterogeneity of the population has been reported to be huge. Different levels of vision and hearing loss, different use of language modality, different kinds and severity of additional disabilities, and different medical aetiology are some of the variables splitting the group. […] Several causes are also known for acquired (post-lingual) deafblindness with Usher syndrome being the most dominant (about half of all cases) among people below 60 years of age. Usher syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by congenital or progressive hearing loss and progressive vision impairment due to the eye disease Retinitis Pigmentosa and involve several subtypes.

• #79 Deafblindness: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, And How To Manage The Disease

  https://www.netmeds.com/health-library/post/deafblindness-causes-symptoms-diagnosis-and-how-to-manage-the-disease?srsltid=AfmBOooyX8qK83cBnimznug8ND6QoiZTZE-tLzCNWfYVproHmZGwgkFE

  Deafblindness is a complex hearing and vision disorder, which can be caused by trauma, diseases, inherited syndromes, or age factors. A common disease mostly occurring in elderly people, deafblindness is a combination of sight and hearing loss that affects a person’s ability to communicate and hear. […] Also known as dual sensory loss or multi-sensory impairment, this kind of hearing or vision loss (or both) occurs later in life; however, some infants are also born deafblind. […] Sometimes hearing loss and vision loss are very mild, and mostly one sense compensates for the other. At the onset, the patient may not even realize their vision or hearing is getting affected. […] When both senses get reduced, it causes significant difficulties in everyday life. […] People who are born deaf start to experience a deteriorating sight after some time.

• #80 Deafblindness | Symptoms, Diagnosis & Causes | Conditions | Healthera

  https://healthera.co.uk/conditions-a-z/deafblindness/

  People with deafblindness may experience a range of symptoms, including: […] Difficulty seeing, which can range from mild blurriness to complete blindness […] Problems hearing, from mild hearing loss to profound deafness […] Trouble communicating with others […] Put differently, challenges in everyday activities, like recognising faces or sounds. […] People with deafblindness can lead fulfilling lives. With the right support and adaptations, many can learn to communicate effectively and navigate their environment.

• #81 Deafblindness – Sense

  https://www.sense.org.uk/information-and-advice/conditions/deafblindness/

  If you spot any of the above signs, speak to your GP as soon as possible. The sooner deafblindness is diagnosed, the sooner treatment, if that is an option, or management of the condition can begin and the more helpful this is likely to be. […] If you have both vision and hearing impairment/Deafness, you should be identified with deafblindness. You should also have regular checks afterwards, as the level of care and support you need might change depending on how severely each sense is affected. […] Some conditions that affect hearing and vision can be treated using medication or surgery. […] Its not always possible to treat the underlying causes of deafblindness, but care and support services are available. […] Following your assessment, an individual care plan should be drawn up to preserve and make the best of any remaining sight or hearing you have.

• #82 Deafblindness – Symptoms | Health Information from Ackers Chemist

  https://ackerschemists.com/nhs_conditions_deafblindness_symptoms

  Vision loss can also be present from birth or develop later on. […] Signs someone may have a problem with their vision include: problems seeing in low light or bright light, difficulty recognising people they know, finding it hard to read facial expressions, relying on touch to find and identify items more than usual, needing to hold books or newspapers close to their face, or sitting near the television, difficulty moving around unfamiliar places they may bump into or trip over things regularly, not looking directly at you or making proper eye contact. […] Visit your GP if you notice any deterioration in your hearing or eyesight. […] If you’re worried about a friend or family member’s vision and hearing, encourage them to speak to their GP. […] It’s best to seek advice as soon as possible, as treatment for some underlying causes of deafblindness can be more effective if started early. […] Early diagnosis will also ensure the person is able to access local support services sooner, and enable them to plan for the future (such as learning new communication methods).

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