Making Sense of Sensory Loss
Acknowledgments: This section was developed using 'Making Sense of Sensory Loss' - a joint publication of Vision Australia and the Department of Veterans' Affairs.
Severe sight and hearing loss is common in later life. This can be emotionally distressing and affect everyday tasks such as reading, moving about safely, housework and conversation. While everyone is different, people with sensory loss may experience:
- Frustration
- Confusion
- Fear of becoming a burden
- Isolation
- Withdrawal
- Anxiety
- Fear of losing independence
- Depression.
According to the report 'Their Lives, Their Needs' commissioned in 1997-1998 by the Department of Veteran's Affairs many veterans suffer sensory loss.
The report states that 85% of Vietnam veterans have vision problems, 49% have some loss of hearing, 18% of these veterans suffer from blindness or have serious trouble seeing even with glasses, mainly as the result of cataracts and glaucoma.
Sensory loss can be limited, or at least slowed down, by receiving treatment for conditions as soon as possible. Early detection is the key to looking after what vision and hearing you have left. It might not be a lot, but it is better than nothing!