Supporting Dual Sensory Impairment

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What is Dual Sensory Impairment?

Dual Sensory Impairment is the combined impairment of both vision and hearing. Some people have a total loss of both senses often referred to as deafblind, and some have remaining use of one or both. Dual Sensory Impairment can also be called Deafblindness, or sometimes Multi-sensory Impairment. It can occur from birth, (congenital) or later on in life (acquired) as a result of illness, age, accident or genetic conditions. The unique nature of dual sensory impairment means that people with the condition face difficulties with:

• Communication
• Mobility
• Access to information

Many people with a dual sensory impairment feel isolated and lonely. The combined vision and hearing loss means that they may find it difficult to get out and about, do their shopping or meet friends. They may not be able to use the telephone, tell when there is someone at the door or even tell what time it is and may rely heavily on families and carers to support them. They may also have difficulties in following current affairs on the TV and in newspapers, or accessing other sources of information e.g. transport timetables and price lists.

Because the challenges facing people with a dual sensory impairment are unique, the services provided for this group of people need to be equally specialised. The combined loss leads to complex difficulties often needing specialist support. People with a dual sensory impairment need to be recognised and registered separately in order to be identified for the specialist services that they might need. An individual approach to services is taken due to the nature of the condition, as each person will have different levels of combined vision and hearing loss.