We are developing a consumer and carer handbook for older people living with dual sensory impairment. Please fill out our survey to help up gain insights that will inform the design of a consumer and carers handbook for people with combined vision and hearing loss. We are seeking input directly from people with combined hearing and vision loss (or dual …
Category: Healthcare
A Report from The United Kingdom
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 …
A Report from Spain
I am in Spain in a town by the Balearic Sea. Not for recreation but for intense work on a new core set for deafblindness in the International Classification of Function (ICF). There’s a beach outside, a waterslide too, and even a roller coaster. But we are inside focused on deciding and debating what features of deafblindness or 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 …
Moira in Singapore
I’m in Singapore for two weeks as part of a long standing program between Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) and Sydney Nursing School, University of Sydney. The Bachelor of Nursing (BN) (post-Registration) is taught by academics from Sydney Nursing School and designed for Registered Nurses who want to extend their clinical practice and progress as a nursing leader. While here, …
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 …