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Dual Sensory Impairment

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How to recognise that someone may have a dual sensory impairment

Hearing

• He/she can’t hear you when you knock at the door or use the doorbell
• You have to speak particularly loudly or distinctly in order for him/her to hear you, even in a quiet place
• He/she uses sign language, deafblind manual alphabet or deafblind block alphabet.
• He/she has to have the TV, radio or cassette turned up to a volume that is uncomfortable for others
• He/she has one or more aids to compensate for reduced hearing (hearing aids, loop systems, communication aids etc.)

Vision:

• You are not recognised if you make an unexpected visit
• He/she has great difficulty reading newspapers and/or viewing the picture and text on the television (may sit very close to the TV screen
• He/she uses touch to find a lost item, or depends on help from other people
• He/she feels insecure and needs guiding outdoors, and also indoors when in an unfamiliar environment
• He/she has one or more aids to compensate for reduced vision (magnifying glass, magnification system, wristwatch with large numbers, white cane etc.)

Remember:

A deafblind or dual sensory impaired person will not necessarily have total loss of both vision and hearing. They may have some useful residual hearing or vision, or both.