Usher syndrome is the most common cause of deafblindness in people under 65 years of age, accounting for around fifty percent. In most cases, Usher syndrome is the combination of congenital deafness and acquired low vision that degenerates over time. It may be associated with balance disorders and cataracts. The hearing loss is usually stable, but subtypes have been identified …
Category: General
International Book Launch
Lived Places Publishing has recently released Dual Sensory Impairment and the Older Person on their website. Older people with combined hearing loss and low vision, also known as dual sensory impairment living in residential aged care facilities are a forgotten group. Hearing loss, vision loss, loneliness and a rapidly ageing population are global concerns. But older people with dual sensory …
Empowering Older Adults with Dual Sensory Impairment: A Wellbeing Initiative
By Diana Tang Imagine trying to navigate the world without the ability to hear or see clearly. For many older adults with dual sensory impairment (DSI), this is their daily reality. DSI, the combination of both hearing and vision loss, is a growing challenge among aging populations, often leading to social isolation, frustration, and decreased quality of life. As a …
Seeing things that aren’t there
Last week Annmaree and Suzie travelled to Newcastle to talk on “seeing things that aren’t there” or visual hallucinations, often called Charles Bonnet syndrome. “Seeing things that aren’t there”, that no one else can see and that are called visual hallucinations. “Seeing things that aren’t there” is very common in people with problems seeing well. Deafblind people “see things that …
Being Included in Museum Visits
Travelling can be a complicated experience when you have combined hearing loss and low vision. In particular, going to galleries, museums and exhibitions can often be an excluding experience: not enough accessible information, few visual descriptions, scarce large print materials and frequently, noisy, crowded surrounds. Sometimes I trail behind my husband feeling bored. Sometimes I drink tea in the café …
Occupational Therapy Students Lecture
We sometimes fail to realise that teaching is a gift given and one that is received too. As part of the Master of Occupational Therapy Course, Annmaree, Suzanne and Susannah went to give a lecture on dual sensory impairment using lived experience, research and verbatim testimony. We covered key issues: Annmaree’s journey with deafness and then blindness and the funny …
Local Book Launch
Annmaree and Moira’s new book, Dual Sensory Impairment and the Older Person: An Invisible Epidemic, was launched locally at Sydney University. The book will be launched by the publisher formally early October. Links to books: An invisible epidemic?: https://livedplacespublishing.com/book/isbn/9781915734365 Knowing what is going on: https://livedplacespublishing.com/book/isbn/9781915271433