Later in this module, you will have a chance to explore the physical impacts of varying degrees of combined hearing and vision loss using this simulation exercise.
Spectrum of Hearing and Vision Loss
While a person who has combined hearing and vision loss may be referred to as “deafblind,” the majority of people who are deafblind actually have some remaining hearing and vision. In fact, only about 6% of people with combined hearing and vision loss are totally deaf and totally blind.
Combined hearing and vision loss encompasses a broad range of sensory loss. Each person is affected differently, depending on the amount of hearing and vision that remains.
- Some people may have residual hearing and residual vision.
- Some people may have some residual hearing with little or no vision.
- Some people may have some residual vision with little or no hearing.
- Some people may be profoundly deaf and totally blind.