Sensory Disability Flashcards
what are the 5 main senses?
sight, hearing, smell, touch, taste
what is a sensory impairment?
when 1 or more of a person’s senses is no longer ‘normal’.
Someone can have partial sensory loss to be sensory impaired, it doesnt have to be FULL LOSS
what is cataracts?
a visual impairment where the lens of your eye develops cloudy patches. It can be treatable
what are some symptoms of visual impairments?
- severe, sudden eye pain
- recurrent pain in/around eye
- hazy, blurred, double vision
- seeing floating spider webs, halos or dots
- etc
what is the leading cause of blindness?
untreated cataracts
what is age related macular degeneration?
involves the loss of the person’s central field of vision
the central retina develops degenerative lesion, cells become damaged and scarred
what is glaucoma?
eye condition where the optic nerve becomes damaged. Usually caused by fluid building up in the front of the eye increasing pressure inside the eye.
Can lead to loss of vision if not diagnosed and treated early
[most common in 70s & 80s]
what is diabetic retinopathy?
is a complication of diabetes caused by high sugar levels damaging the back of the eye (retina). If untreated can cause blindness
what are risk factors for diabetic retinopathy?
- duration of diabetes
- level of glycemia
- presence of high blood pressure
- dependence on insulin
- genetic
- nutritional
- pregnancy
how can you maximise communication for people with visual impairments?
- always identify yourself
- always use names in a group situation
- communicate what is happening visually/physically
- provide info alternatively - audio tapes, extra large print, braille etc
what can hearing be affected by?
disease, disorder, injury
what are the 2 main ways of having hearing loss?
congenital (from birth):
- low birth weight,
- infections during pregnancy
- certain drug use
Acquired:
- infections (meningitis)
- injury to head & ear
- earwax blocking canal
- aging, cells dying.
- loud sounds over time
what are clues to someone having a hearing problem?
- unawareness of surroundings
- asking for sentences to be repeated
- change in tone
- speaking unusually loud
- failure to respond to sound
what are clues to someone having a hearing problem?
- unawareness of surroundings
- asking for sentences to be repeated
- change in tone
- speaking unusually loud
- failure to respond to sound
