Deaf/Blind Exam

What is the primary definition of being deaf-blind

A combined vision and hearing challenge where an individual cannot rely on one sense to accommodate for the limitations of the other.

What is the major disability challenge for persons who are deaf-blind?

The challenge of gathering information.

What is the difference between congenital and adventitious deaf-blindness?

Congenital means both losses occur at birth; adventitious means one or both losses occur later in life.

Name three common causes of deaf-blindness.

Meningitis, prematurity, and Usher Syndrome.

What are the three main types of visual field loss?

What are the three main types of visual field loss?

Peripheral field loss, central field loss, and scattered scotomas (islands of vision).

What is Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI)?

What is Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI)?

An inability of the brain to process visual information, which can range from specific visual inabilities to overall impairments of acuity or field.

What is the key difference between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss?

Conductive hearing loss may be medically treatable and improved by amplification; sensorineural hearing loss involves permanent nerve damage where amplification does not improve clarity.

What is an Auditory Processing Disorder?

A condition where sound is received correctly, but the brain cannot properly process or output that information, similar to a distorted speaker.

What are the four main areas of development affected by deaf-blindness?

Social/emotional, cognitive, motor, and communication/language.

What are 'Object Cues' in communication?

Showing or helping a person touch an item to provide information about activities, expectations, and choices.

Why is street crossing particularly difficult for deaf-blind individuals?

They cannot rely on hearing to determine if it is safe to cross, requiring more than just a cane for orientation and mobility.

How does deaf-blindness impact cognitive development regarding 'cause and effect'?

It can delay the understanding of cause and effect, requiring specific interventions to help the individual connect actions to outcomes.

What is the impact of deaf-blindness on motor development?

There is often a decreased motivation to move, and delays are typically greater for mobility milestones than for stationary motor milestones.

What is Peripheral field loss?

A person is unable to see what is coming from the sides, above, and below

What is central field loss?

Unable to see items directly in front, only see things to the side

What is visual acuity?

The ability to see the sharpness of vision, clarity, or resolution without correction of vision

A premature birth takes place before the ___ week of pregnancy 

37th

Premature babies are more likely to have hearing loss because… 

Their bodies and brains are not fully developed 

True or False: Prematurity causes there to be multiple medical complications at once. 

True 

Time in the NICU can increase the chance of damage to the

Baby’s Auditory Nerve 

What are the main types of meningitis?

Bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic

What are two symptoms of meningitis?

High fever, stiffness in the neck

True or False: Deafness through meningitis is caused by an infection spread through the ear, damaging sensory structures.

True

True or False: General meningitis has no cure/treatment

False

True or False: Deafness caused by meningitis is only temporary

False

What causes Stickler Syndrome?

Gene Mutation

What is the main type of gene that is being mutated in the body that causes SS?

COL2a1 (type II collagen)

How many types of SS are there?

6

What serious eye problem can people with SS develop?

Retinal Detachment

Name another condition that can be caused by SS.

Pierre Robinson Sequence

True or False: Usher syndrome is curable

False

How many types of Usher syndrome are there?

3

What causes the vision problems in Usher syndrome?

Absense of proteins in the retina

Which is a characteristic of Type 1 usher syndrome?

Deafness at birth

True or false: There are experimental gene therapies that can cure Usher Syndrome.

False