| There are many
etiologies for hearing loss in adults with DD. It may be congenital, the result of infections or trauma, or
transient such as is seen with cerumen impaction. Assessment should be performed by ENT specialists and
audiologists skilled at working with this population. If augmentative devices are indicated,
there may be a need for multiple trials as well as the use of desentization
training in order to obtain optimal compliance and use. For those individuals who have significant
ceruminosis, consider the daily use of agents such as vegetable oil along
with regular irrigation. |
|
| As with hearing
loss, visual deficits are common and require careful evaluation and
monitoring. Sensory deficits are key
in determining quality of life. For
example, they can contribute to injuries as well as cause worsening of
behavior problems. They also may be
associated with painful conditions.
Glaucoma is especially difficult to recognize in its early treatable
stages in individuals with severe DD.
For all these reasons, careful assessment and treatment is
indicated. Links to Arc
webpages on guidelines for vision and hearing could go here |