Identifying Deafblindness

Thousands of people in the UK are living with sight and hearing loss, but how can you tell whether you, or someone you know, is one of them?


Early signs of sight loss include:

  • Difficulty reading books and newspapers or watching TV
  • Difficulty recognising people, particularly in unexpected situations
  • Often thinking that you need new glasses
  • Being uncomfortable in bright and/or low lighting
  • Finding it hard to read facial expressions
  • Being unable to find something that you have lost without using your hands or asking for help
  • Finding it difficult to move around in unfamiliar places or in familiar places that have changed

Early signs of hearing loss include:

  • Asking people to repeat themselves or to speak louder
  • Difficulty hearing the TV or radio or music and/or having the volume turned up high
  • Not hearing the doorbell or the telephone ringing
  • Complaining that people are mumbling or speaking too quickly
  • Finding it hard to understand unfamiliar people
  • Avoiding using the phone

If any of these sound familiar, then we can help. To find out more about what to do next and what support is available in your local area then please contact us for more information and support.

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Open Hand Magazine

Open Hand is our free, quarterly magazine containing articles and information that are tailored specifically to people with dual sensory loss.

There are very few publications designed for this specific market and so Open Hand gives its readers valuable information that they may not otherwise have known and reminds readers about Deafblind UK’s support services.

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Call us on 0800 132320 or text us 07903572885
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