PSW Foundation Presentation: Hearing and Vision Disorders

Hearing Disorders and Hearing Loss

• Otitis Media:
  • Infection of the middle ear
  • Chronic condition, may lead to hearing loss
  • Common in infants and children
• Otosclerosis:
  • Hardening of bones in the middle ear
  • Genetic condition leading to hearing loss
• Tinnitus:
  • Ringing in the ears
• Meniere's Disease:
  • Increase in fluid in the inner ear
  • Causes pressure in the middle ear, vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss
• Progressive Hearing Loss:
  • Due to impairment of nerve endings
• Presbycusis:
  • Gradual hearing loss due to aging
• Temporary Hearing Loss:
  • Often due to ear wax blockage

Effects of Hearing Loss

• Speaking too loudly
• Leaning forward to hear
• Answering irrelevant questions
• Lip reading
• Asking for words to be repeated

Aids for People with Hearing Loss

• Hearing Aids:
  • Amplify sounds, do not cure hearing loss
  • Care: Check for cracks, keep batteries functional, store in dry place

Communication Tips

• Use hand gestures
• Speak slowly, steadily, and clearly
• Be aware of facial expressions and body language

Eye Disorders and Vision Problems

• Age-Related Macular Degeneration:
  • Leading cause of blindness in people over 50
• Retinal Detachment:
  • Separation of retina from supporting tissue
  • Leads to permanent blindness if not treated
• Diabetic Retinopathy:
  • Bursting of blood vessels in the eye leading to scarring
  • May lead to retinal detachment
• Glaucoma:
  • Irreversible damage due to increased pressure in the eye
• Cataract:
  • Lens becomes opaque, resulting in blurred vision
  • Can be surgically corrected
• Presbyopia:
  • Gradual inability to focus on near objects, associated with aging

Effects of Vision Loss

• Potential decrease in self-confidence
• Use of red-tipped cane and seeing-eye dog

Caring for Individuals with Vision Problems

• Alert them to your presence
• Assist with walking and eating
• Maintain a safe environment

Eye Glasses and Contact Lenses

• Remove eyeglasses carefully to avoid damage
• Use special cleaning solutions for contact lenses

Additional Aids

• Reading Braille: System for the blind with raised dots representing letters
• Artificial Eyes:
  • Made of plastic or glass
  • Can be permanent or removable

This concludes the presentation, with related videos to follow in the module.