DSI Life Hacks #3 – Dual Sensory Impairment Support

  • DSI Life Hacks #3

    Coping strategies to deal with their developing sensory loss.

LIFE HACKS #3

Dual Sensory Impairment Support

Many people with Dual Sensory Impairment (DSI) will have developed their own coping strategies to deal with their developing sensory loss.  These will be very much dependant on how their sensory loss affects their daily life.

Here we would like to share some of our own experiences with dual sensory impairment support and ‘life hacks’ that we have seen successfully used, and share some simple hints and tips for those experiencing DSI, friends, family or professionals which we hope will be useful tools.

HEARING IMPAIRMENT

HEARING AIDS

Dual Sensory Impairment Support

Regular hearing tests are important, you can be referred by the GP if you have not had a test before or visit a private testing centre.  If visit a private organisation be aware that there may be a charge for the test and should you require a hearing aid, you will have to cover the cost.

NHS testing and provision is FREE and includes batteries and repairs.

TIPS

Dual Sensory Impairment Support

  • TIPS

    • Keep your hearing aid maintained, including cleaning and changing the tubing.
    • Keep a stock of batteries and make sure you order more before your stock runs out.
    • Know the opening times of your audiology department, many will have extended hours to allow for battery collection etc.
    • DON’T GIVE UP Hearing aids can be fiddly and take some getting used to, preserve and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

COMMUNICATION

Dual Sensory Impairment Support

LIP READING involves a lot of guess work, many letters look the same on the lips.  Try looking in the mirror and mouthing CHAIR/SHARE/STARE.  M, P, B look similar, C, G and H cannot be seen on the lips.

Social situations particularly in groups can be difficult.  Voices and conversations around you will blur into one.

TIPS

Dual Sensory Impairment Support

  • TIPS

    • Together with your friends and family, learn the BSL fingerspelling alphabet.  Knowing the first letter of a word can help distinguish and enable you to join in the conversation.
    • You may develop your signs with family and friends for everyday items such as CUP, TEA, COFFEE etc Share these with your home help etc.
    • When with someone with HI remember that nodding is often a coping mechanism, do not assume you have been understood.

  • DO NOT

    Say ‘I’ll tell you later’ or it ‘doesn’t matter’, this will make the HoH or deaf person feel isolated and unimportant.

TAKE CONTROL

Dual Sensory Impairment Support

Although you may feel upset or embarrassed to let people know you have a HI it is much better if you are able to take control of the situation.

TIPS

Dual Sensory Impairment Support

  • TIPS

    • Make sure the speaker is in good light, not in front of a window
    • Don’t be afraid to ask them to repeat
    • Tell the person to sit or stand
    • Make use of technology – Loop systems are available at shops, banks, GPs, hospitals, theatres, cinemas and places or worship.
    • A small personal listener can be useful for 1-1 conversation
    • If you are in employment seek support from Access to Work

VISUAL IMPAIRMENT

AROUND THE HOME

There are many things around the home that could pose a problem for people experiencing VI.  Everyday tasks which were once taken for granted can become much more difficult and in some instances potentially dangerous.

Using simple hacks can make life much easier and enable someone with a VI to maintain as much independence as possible.

FOOD/BEVERAGE PREPARATION TIPS

Dual Sensory Impairment Support

  • TIPS

    • Using Bump Ons (tactile markers) around the house to identify items such as keyholes is a great idea but if you do not have any of these then sticky tack or correction fluid can also work well as both are easy to feel.

    • Pouring liquid into a container?  Why not put the container in the sink with the plug out.  This can help prevent potentially dangerous spillages and also scalding.
    • Of course you should still use Liquid Level Indicators(LLI) if you can.  These are useful and cheap little gadgets that can be used when making a hot drink
    • Using the microwave is often a safer method of heating liquids or kettles are now available that dispense a set amounted of heated water.
    • DID YOU KNOW LLI can also be used to test fuses?  Simply put each end of the fuse onto the prongs of LLI, if the fuse is working the LLI will sound.
    • Boiling vegetables or other food?  Try placing a clean tin lid in the pan with your food,  This will rattle when the water comes to the boil.
    • It’s also a good idea to use metal baskets like ones used in traditional chip pans when boiling vegetables.  Place the vegetables in the basket and lower into the water.  When cooked you can simply turn off the heat and remove the basket.  The hot water will be drained starihjt into the pan and can be left to cool down.  Baskets are cheap and easy to find in hardware stores.
    • Chopping fruit and vegetables can some times be tricky too.  Try using a steel ‘Afro’ comb.  Stab the fruit with the comb so that the teeth of the comb go through from one side to the other into the chopping board beneath.  This should hold the fruit firm.  Slice through the fruit, between each tooth of the comb with a small sharp knife.
    • Food cans can be marked with elastic bands or hir bobbles of various colours and styles.  Large print labels can also be helpful in identifying foods.

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