This page tells you what deafblindness is, including the legal definition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It also covers the different types of deafblindness, its causes in newborn children and adults, diagnosis, signs of deafblindness, treating the underlying causes and managing the condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We offer support all over the UK<\/a>. Whether you need some expert advice, a place to socialise, or help with communicating or getting around, we offer something for everyone. Because everyone should feel connected and included.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To find out what kind of support we could give you or your loved one, speak to one of our friendly team.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n On this page:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Deafblindness is a disability in its own right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It means you have sight or hearing loss that affect your everyday life. Access to information, communicating with people and getting about on your own can be much more difficult. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Being deafblind doesn\u2019t necessarily mean you are totally deaf and\/or totally blind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most deafblind people have some sight and some hearing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even with mild sight and hearing loss, you\u2019ll still experience challenges in daily life.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n In 1995, the Department of Health established a legal definition of deafblindness: <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA 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.\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Deafblindness affects people of all ages, including children and young people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is more common in older people, because we naturally tend to experience loss to sight and hearing as we get older.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are more than 450,000 deafblind people in the UK. It\u2019s thought there will be more than 610,000 by 2035 due to our ageing population. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Find out more about the number of people who are deafblind in the UK.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n There are two main types of deafblindness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Congenital deafblindness means you are born with sight and hearing impairment, or it becomes apparent within the first two years of life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This may be because of infections during pregnancy, premature birth, birth trauma (physical injury) and rare genetic conditions (conditions you inherit from a parent). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Acquired deafblindness means you develop sight and hearing loss later in life. Anyone can become deafblind at any time through illness, accident or ageing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes, you can be born with either a hearing impairment only or a vision impairment only, but as you age your other senses also start to change or worsen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Deafblindness is also known as: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Many people use these terms to mean the same as deafblindness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some people choose to use \u201cdeafblindness\u201d to describe more severe sight and hearing loss. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Others prefer \u201cdual-sensory\u201d because they feel it describes more accurately how it feels to be deafblind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Then there are others who feel \u201cmulti-sensory impairment\u201d is more accurate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is because it may be about how your brain handles the information it gets from your ears and eyes, not about how your ears and eyes function. Other senses, such as touch, taste or smell might also be affected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many causes of congenital deafblindness and acquired deafblindness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Congenital deafblindness can be caused by: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Acquired deafblindness can be caused by: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some common signs of hearing loss include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Find out more about the signs of hearing impairment in children.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Common signs of sight loss include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Find out more about the signs of a visual impairment.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you already have a hearing impairment\/Deafness,\u202fand maybe wear a hearing aid<\/a> or use sign language<\/a>, look after your eyes. Watch out for signs that you are also developing sight loss and make sure you have regular eye checks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you already have a sight impairment and maybe wear glasses, use a cane\u202fto get around or have\u202fa condition such as\u202fglaucoma<\/a>\u202for\u202fcataracts<\/a>, look after your hearing. Watch out for signs that you are also developing hearing loss and make sure you have regular hearing tests. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you spot any of the above signs, speak to your GP as soon as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Early diagnosis will also help you to get quicker access to local support services. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are a parent of a pre-school or school aged child, make sure to ask for a referral to a relevant educational support service. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It will also help you to plan for your future, including learning about different ways of communicating<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re reading this information because you\u2019re concerned about your child or someone else you know, and you notice any of the above signs, then encourage them to speak to their GP as soon as possible \u2013\u202ffor all the reasons given above. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Find out about Sense services in your area.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Deafblindness may be detected soon after a baby is born or after tests carried out later in life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If it isn\u2019t and you are concerned about your baby, talk to your GP or health visitor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If\u202fyour baby is born deafblind, this will usually be picked up during\u202fnewborn screening<\/a> \u2013 a series of checks to\u202fsee if your baby has any serious health problems from birth, including with hearing or sight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If newborn screening doesn\u2019t pick up any problems, they may be detected during routine hearing tests<\/a> and sight tests<\/a> as your child gets older. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Support is available. Speak to your GP or health visitor if you have any concerns about your child’s hearing or vision at any point. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Because deafblindness\u202fis more common in older people, it\u2019s important to have routine eye tests \u2013 normally every two years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can ask your GP for a hearing test<\/a> at any time if you think you\u2019re losing your hearing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 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\u202fyou need might change depending on how severely each sense is affected. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Remember, another term maybe used to describe your condition. This maybe dual sensory impairment, multi-sensory impairment or that you have a vision and hearing impairment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Councils in England and Wales have a responsibility to follow the requirements of the 2014 deafblind guidance<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This means that with deafblindness, your local authority must have a selected lead for deafblindness and assessments should be done by a specialist. This means: <\/p>\n\n\n\n The deafblind guidance assessment will be to find out what your needs are in the following areas: <\/p>\n\n\n\n The assessment will take\u202finto account your needs now and what they\u2019re likely to be in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some conditions that affect hearing and vision can be treated using medication or surgery: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some\u202fcauses of temporary hearing loss are also treatable, such as a\u202fbuild-up of earwax<\/a>\u202for\u202fmiddle-ear infections<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s not always possible to treat the underlying causes of deafblindness, but care and support services\u202fare available. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As a person who is deafblind, you should have access to services suitable to your level of hearing and sight, and your individual needs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Services aimed mainly at people who are blind or deaf may not always be right for someone who is deafblind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Following your assessment, an individual care plan should be drawn up to: <\/p>\n\n\n\n A wide range of vision aids and hearing aids, implants and devices are now available. Find out more about these: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sense has been supporting deafblind children and adults for more than 70 years. We can help you find the information and support you\u2019re entitled to and all the information you need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Everybody with a combined sight and hearing impairment connects, communicates and experiences the world differently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The approach to support we offer will vary, especially between the two main types of deafblindness explained above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But with the right, tailored support, you \u2013 or your child \u2013 can lead a connected and fulfilled life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you or a loved one are deafblind, and would like some support, get in touch with our friendly team.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n
What is deafblindness?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The legal definition of deafblindness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Who does deafblindness affect?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Types of deafblindness<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Congenital deafblindness <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Acquired deafblindness <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Other names for deafblindness <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What causes deafblindness? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Causes of congenital deafblindness <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Causes of acquired deafblindness <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Spotting the signs of deafblindness<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Diagnosing deafblindness<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Newborn screening <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Hearing and sight tests for adults <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Specialist assessment <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Managing life with deafblindness <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Treating underlying\u202fconditions <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Care and support through an individual care plan <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Vision aids, hearing aids, implants and other devices <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Get support from Sense <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Ask us how we can support you<\/h2>\n\n\n\n