Understanding Deaf and Blind People: An Overview of Visual Impairment and Deafblindness
 |
| Person with visual impairment |
This piece gets into everything about deafblindness - from what causes it to how it's diagnosed and what support systems exist. You'll learn about different ways to communicate, educational methods, and new technology that helps people with dual sensory loss achieve their goals. The content explains what life is like for people with deafblindness and shows you the resources they can use to stay independent and healthy.
What is Deafblindness?
Deafblindness is a distinct condition that affects both hearing and vision simultaneously. The combination of these sensory impairments creates unique challenges that separate it from single sensory disabilities and demands specialized educational support systems.
Definition and prevalence
Deafblindness covers a range of combined hearing and vision loss that affects communication and developmental needs by a lot. This condition shows up in about 1 in 15,000 births worldwide 1. The United States has about 10,000 children and 70,000-100,000 adults living with deafblindness 1. The school-aged population has nowhere near 1% of students with this condition at any time 2, making it a low-incidence disability.
Degrees of hearing and vision loss
Many people assume "deafblind" means a complete loss of both senses. Research shows that 99% of deafblind children actually retain some level of hearing, vision, or both 1. The statistics paint an interesting picture of this community.
- Research indicates that just 4% of these children experience total blindness 1
- About 20% of the children have profound deafness 1
- Most children in this community can use their remaining vision or hearing effectively 1
| Sensory Capability | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Some Vision/Hearing | 99% |
| Total Blindness | 4% |
| Profound Deafness | 20% |
Effects on daily life
Deafblindness affects everyday activities in many ways. The effects vary substantially from person to person. People with profound impairments can only experience the world through touch 3. This condition creates unique challenges in several crucial areas:
- Communication becomes tough because both main information channels don't work properly 4
- Moving around and finding your way needs special techniques, especially when you have severe issues with both senses
- People need different ways to learn and understand concepts 4
The condition's effects depend on when it started, how much sensory loss occurred, and whether it stays stable 4. About 85% of children who are deafblind also have other learning challenges. Half of them need complex medical care 1. Yet there's hope. The right support and intervention help people with deafblindness create effective ways to communicate and live independently.
Causes of Deafblindness
Medical professionals classify deafblindness mechanisms into three distinct groups: congenital, acquired, and age-related causes. This classification is significant because it helps determine proper diagnosis and intervention strategies.
Congenital causes
People with congenital deafblindness are born with or develop hearing and vision difficulties during their early life before they learn to communicate. Genetic factors cause about 27% of deafblindness cases among the general population 5. The most important congenital causes include:
- Usher Syndrome: This condition leads to more than 50% of deafblindness cases in the United States 6
- CHARGE Syndrome: The condition affects about 1 in 10,000 births worldwide 6
- Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS): Vaccination programs have made this condition rare now. However, this syndrome affected 20,000 children in the United States at the time of the 1964-1965 epidemic 6
Acquired causes
People develop acquired deafblindness after birth, usually after they have learned to communicate. This dual sensory loss demonstrates three distinct patterns:
- Original hearing impairment followed by vision deterioration
- Original vision impairment followed by hearing deterioration
- Simultaneous or sequential loss of both senses due to external factors
People with acquired deafblindness need rehabilitation services to stay independent 7. Brain injury, meningitis, and progressive conditions can cause this condition 8. A person's existing communication and daily living skills affect their rehabilitation approach by a lot and determine necessary modifications 7.
Age-related causes
Age-related deafblindness emerges as the most common type of acquired dual sensory loss. Research across multiple countries shows that dual sensory loss affects more than two-thirds of people above 70 years old 9. The Irish population data reveals that 1,050 people among 1,749 individuals with severe vision and hearing impairments have crossed 65 years of age 9.
| Age Group | Prevalence |
|---|---|
| Over 70 | >66% of cases |
| Under 70 |
Signs and Diagnosis of Deafblindness
Medical professionals recognize that proper diagnosis and symptom identification of deafblindness plays a significant role in providing appropriate support if you have dual sensory loss. A detailed evaluation process helps accurately assess both visual and auditory impairment levels effectively.
Common symptoms
Deafblindness shows up differently by a lot in each person. Symptoms can appear gradually or suddenly based on the mechanisms. Research shows that deafblind children might not turn their heads to find sound sources by 4 weeks of age or make eye contact with others 10. People can notice these common behaviors:
- Difficulty adjusting to lighting changes
- Problems with balance and movement
- Limited response to visual or auditory stimuli
- Challenges in recognizing familiar people
- Increased reliance on touch to explore surroundings 11
Diagnostic process
Medical professionals start the diagnostic trip with a complete medical history assessment that includes multiple specialized tests. They use different diagnostic tools to assess hearing and vision impairments. Research shows that doctors ask about medical history and conduct specific tests for hearing, balance, and vision 12.
| Diagnostic Test | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Electroretinogram | Measures retinal response to light |
| Videonystagmography | Evaluates balance and eye movements |
| Optical coherence tomography | Assesses retinal structure |
| Audiology testing | Determines hearing sensitivity |
| Genetic testing | Identifies specific genetic causes |
Importance of early detection
Early identification of deafblindness affects educational and social outcomes by a lot. The brain shows its highest capacity to change structurally when it receives external stimulation during early development 13. Children who receive intervention in their first few months develop better language skills than those identified later 13.
The first year of life serves as the critical period for early intervention. Experts highlight that delayed detection can lead to:
- Fewer opportunities to learn and develop
- Limited communication abilities
- Problems with social-emotional bonding
- Limited access to educational experiences 14
Medical professionals strongly support screening and monitoring all infants to identify disabilities or risk factors that might delay development 13. This method helps quick referrals to early intervention services and helps discover the full potential of children with dual sensory loss.
Living with Deafblindness
People with deafblindness use many different tools and methods to manage their daily lives, communicate well, and stay independent. Modern technology and special support services have boosted these people's quality of life by a lot as they deal with the loss of both sight and hearing.
Communication methods
Communication priorities if you have deafblindness vary substantially based on sensory loss extent and personal background. Communication methods depend on each person's unique situation. The choice of method relates to whether someone has congenital or acquired deafblindness, their sensory impairment level, and their existing language abilities 15.
The main communication methods include:
Tactile Sign Language: Users place their hands over the signer's hands to feel the sign's shape, movement, and location. Some people prefer one-handed tactics while others choose two-handed approaches 16.
Modified Visual Sign Language: People with restricted peripheral vision need signers to use a smaller signing space at chest level. Some signs require specific adaptations 16.
Print-on-Palm Method: This technique involves writing large block letters on someone's palm. It works well to communicate with the general public 16.
Assistive technologies
Assistive technology solutions have become more sophisticated to help people with deafblindness communicate and manage daily life better. Recent data shows about 2.5 billion people worldwide employ assistive technology. This number will likely grow to 3.5 billion users by 2050 17.
| Technology Type | Primary Function |
|---|---|
| Screen Braille Communicators | Text-to-braille conversion |
| TTY with Braille Display | Telephone communication |
| CapTel Systems | Caption-enabled phone calls |
| Braille Notetakers | Digital communication |
These devices play several key roles that:
- Help people communicate independently
- Make digital information accessible
- Support education and work activities
- Boost social interaction abilities
Support services and resources
A detailed network of support services helps people with deafblindness gain independence and integrate better socially. Support Service Providers (SSPs) are vital to this process and offer specialized assistance through:
- Environmental guidance and description
- Communication facilitation
- Transportation assistance
- Visual and auditory information interpretation 18
The American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults provides specialized services that cater to different age groups and needs. Their services include:
- Free lending libraries with over 40,000 Braille and Twin Vision® books
- Weekly newspapers for people with deafblindness
- Counseling and rehabilitation services
- Educational support programs 18
Support services work best when started early and accessed regularly. Studies show that people who use detailed support services perform better in daily activities and social situations 19. Modern support systems now include adaptive technologies like smartphones, smart lighting, and home automation systems that can be adjusted to meet each person's needs 19.
Students need specific accommodations to learn effectively. The quality of communication depends heavily on environmental factors like noise levels and acoustics, especially for students who rely on their remaining hearing 20. The communication process takes extra time to deliver and clarify content, which requires adjustments to standard educational schedules 20.
Conclusion
Deafblindness is a complex condition that shows up differently in each person affected by it. About 2.4 million people worldwide live with combined hearing and vision loss. Each person's experience is different because of various factors like when the condition started, how severe the sensory loss is, and what kind of support they have access to. Medical breakthroughs, better diagnostic tools, and early intervention programs have substantially boosted our ability to spot and help people with deafblindness. These improvements lead to better outcomes.
People with deafblindness can live independently and take part in social activities through support services, special communication methods, and helpful technologies. Today's innovative solutions include tactile sign language and advanced digital tools that show society's growing dedication to making things accessible for everyone. These advances work together with complete support networks and educational resources. They create opportunities for people with deafblindness to lead rewarding lives and actively participate in their communities.
References
[1] - https://study.com/academy/lesson/deaf-blindness-definition-characteristics.html?srsltid=AfmBOoqiUekjP5wNsG5KhbWdlBfS6KjZNe_DN7J_FqolLkLsHE3bPZm4
[2] - https://www.ohiodeafblind.com/what-is-deafblindness/
[3] - https://www.nationaldb.org/info-center/deaf-blindness-overview/
[4] - https://www.nationaldb.org/media/doc/Deaf-Blindness_Implications_Learning_Hand-in-Hand_a.docx
[5] - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8327880/
[6] - https://pathlore.dhs.mn.gov/courseware/DisabilityServices/DeafBlind_101/intro_causes1.html
[7] - https://www.deafblindinformation.org.au/about-deafblindness/acquired-deafblindness/
[8] - https://www.unr.edu/ndsip/english/resources/deafblindness
[9] - https://www.annesullivan.ie/advice-information/causes-conditions/
[10] - https://raisingchildren.net.au/disability/guide-to-disabilities/assessment-diagnosis/deafblindness
[11] - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/deafblindness/symptoms/
[12] - https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/usher-syndrome
[13] - https://www.nationaldb.org/media/doc/EIR-Infants.pdf
[14] - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK601308/
[15] - https://www.deafblindinformation.org.au/living-with-deafblindness/deafblind-communication/
[16] - https://www.aadb.org/factsheets/db_communications.html
[17] - https://www.levelaccess.com/blog/understanding-assistive-technology-how-do-deaf-blind-people-use-technology/
[18] - https://cdss.ca.gov/cdssweb/entres/pdf/ODA/DeafBlindResources.pdf
[19] - https://www.deafblindinformation.org.au/living-with-deafblindness/assistive-technology-and-equipment/
[20] - https://accessiblecampus.ca/tools-resources/educators-tool-kit/teaching-tips/teaching-students-with-deaf-blindness/
No comments