OBJECTIVE: Hearing and visual impairments are commonly viewed separately in research and service provision, but they often occur together as dual sensory impairment or DSI in older populations. This article examines the frequency and effects of DSI in older age and notes limitations in the evidence. METHODS: Search of electronic databases of published papers. RESULTS: DSI diminishes communication and well-being and can cause social isolation, depression, reduced independence, mortality, and cognitive impairment. DISCUSSION: Although intuitively DSI may be expected to have additional impacts over single sensory impairment, research findings are inconclusive. Services and supports required by people with DSI are simply a combination of those required by people with single vision and hearing loss, taking account of the unique communication difficulties posed by DSI.
OBJECTIVE: Hearing and visual impairments are commonly viewed separately in research and service provision, but they often occur together as dual sensory impairment or DSI in older populations. This article examines the frequency and effects of DSI in older age and notes limitations in the evidence. METHODS: Search of electronic databases of published papers. RESULTS: DSI diminishes communication and well-being and can cause social isolation, depression, reduced independence, mortality, and cognitive impairment. DISCUSSION: Although intuitively DSI may be expected to have additional impacts over single sensory impairment, research findings are inconclusive. Services and supports required by people with DSI are simply a combination of those required by people with single vision and hearing loss, taking account of the unique communication difficulties posed by DSI.
Authors: Diana Fisher; Chuan-Ming Li; May S Chiu; Christa L Themann; Hannes Petersen; Friðbert Jónasson; Pálmi V Jónsson; Johanna Eyrun Sverrisdottir; Melissa Garcia; Tamara B Harris; Lenore J Launer; Gudny Eiriksdottir; Vilmundur Gudnason; Howard J Hoffman; Mary Frances Cotch Journal: Age Ageing Date: 2013-08-30 Impact factor: 10.668
Authors: Paul Mick; Maksim Parfyonov; Walter Wittich; Natalie Phillips; Dawn Guthrie; M Kathleen Pichora-Fuller Journal: Can Fam Physician Date: 2018-01 Impact factor: 3.275
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