Senior citizens with combined vision and hearing loss comprise the largest number of people who are deaf-blind in the United States. Yet, many of them remain unserved or underserved, for a variety of reasons. Often, these adults do no think of themselves as "deaf-blind."

The most common causes of vision loss in older adults are cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetes/diabetic retinopathy. For a person who has been sighted all of their lives, it can be devastating for them and their families to come to grips with the impact of this loss. If this blind/hearing person also develops a mild, moderate, severe or even profound hearing loss, the results can be overwhelming.

HKNC offers consultation and specialized services to consumers, families, and professionals, nationwide, to help them develop a greater understanding of the abilities and needs of senior adults, age 55 and better, who are deaf-blind or who are experiencing combined loss of vision and hearing.  Our senior adult specialist and 10 regional representatives are the first point of contact in providing information, resources and training opportunities for seniors, as well as the professionals who work with them.

CLICK HERE for more resources for older adults with vision and hearing loss.

HKNC and the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) present a video series on adaptive techniques and devices for people with hearing and vision loss.

__________________________________________________________

For more information, contact:

Paige Berry, Coordinator

Senior Adult Program

Phone: (804)-827-0920 (V/TTY)

E-mail: paige.berry@hknc.org

______________________________________________________

Copyright © 2011Helen Keller National Center. All rights reserved.

updates: last modified 11/09/2011