Deaf-blindness is disability in which an individual has both a hearing impairment and a visual impairment. Deaf-blind individuals form a highly heterogeneous group, in which hearing and visual impairments are expressed to varying degrees.
In 2023, there were over 450,000 people who were deaf blind in the UK and the number is expected to go up to over 610,000 by 2035.
One of the most famous people who were deaf-blind was Helen Adams Keller and even though she had a disability she lived a fulfilled life writing 14 books and delivering hundreds of speeches and essays.
There are many causes of deaf blind condition which can include:
- Age-related hearing loss
- Genetic conditions (such as Usher syndrome, CHARGE syndrome, and Goldenhar syndrome)
- Infections during pregnancy (such as rubella)
- Cerebral palsy
- Eye problems associated with increasing age (such as cataracts)
- Brain damage (from meningitis, encephalitis, stroke, or severe head injury)
- Premature births
Individuals who are categorised as deaf-blind, may not have lost both senses. They can still achieve a fulfilled life with the right support starting as soon as possible once they are diagnosed.
There is international support for anyone who has received a Deaf-Blind diagnosis, and further information is available with links to some support groups in the UK and further reading is available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/deafblindness/
How to prevent Deaf-Blindness?
It is advisable for everyone to have either had German measles or the MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine, as this should be effective with eradicating possible complications during pregnancy. However, as the vaccine is classed as ‘live’, certain people are unable to receive it, for example if they have a weakened immune system, either due to a medical condition or medication, which can supress the immune system, or if they have had a severe allergic reaction before, (anaphylaxis shock). There has been negative press in the past, claiming the vaccine can cause Autism, but, following research, there is no link between the vaccine and Autism.
As with all vaccines, some people experience unwanted side effects which lasts for 2 to 3 days, and they can be:
- a raised, blotchy rash (similar to a measles rash), feeling unwell and a high temperature around 7 to 11 days after the vaccination
- swollen glands around the cheeks, neck and jaw and aching in your joints (similar to a mild form of mumps) around 2 to 3 weeks after the vaccination
The vaccine is administered via an injection at 4 weeks apart, you are unable to have the vaccine if you are pregnant, and the expectant mother has several blood tests, during her confinement, and one of the blood tests is to find out if the expectant mother has immunity to German measles, mostly through vaccination nowadays, as the vaccination has helped eradicate the infection in the UK. They are also checked for chickenpox immunity, and like German measles this has also been more or less eradicated through the vaccination programme.
Should the expectant mother not have immunity, to either or both, she will be given guidance on how to remain infection free, if possible, and will be offered the vaccination(s) following delivery at an appropriate time.
If you would like to discuss any Occupational Health needs or have any questions, we would be pleased to support you. Please feel free to contact us.
Further Information
https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/mmr-vaccine/
https://www.sense.org.uk/deafblind-awareness-week/
MMR Vaccine Information: https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/mmr-vaccine/
NHS Deaf blindness Overview: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/deafblindness/
