Deafbindness can occur for a variety of reasons. Some people are born deafblind while others loose one or both senses later in life, either suddenly or gradually.

Congenital deafblindness

People who are congenitally deafblind are hearing and vision impaired from birth. As a result, their communication and language skills can be limited and intellectual and other disabilities are often present. Some causes of Congenital deafblindness include prematurity pre and post-natal complications, viral infections such as rubella and rare genetic conditions including CHARGE Syndrome.

Acquired deafblindness

Acquired deafblindness occurs when a person loses their vision and hearing, either gradually or suddenly, during development or in adulthood. While the diagnosis of sight and hearing loss can have a significant emotional impact, many people with acquired deafblindness lead active, independent and fulfilling lives. Acquired deafblindness can be related to a specific genetic condition from birth that wasn’t detected until later in life, or occur as a result of illness or an accident. Age-related deafblindness is the most common cause of acquired deafblindness followed by Usher Syndrome.

A-Z of Causes and Conditions

Over 80 different causes and conditions of deafblindness have been identified and are listed at the end of this page. Some of the most common causes are:

  • Age related deafblindness
  • Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS)
  • CHARGE Syndrome
  • Usher Syndrome

 

Age Related deafblindness

Acquired deafblindness in old age represents by far the largest group within the deafblind population. International research suggests that over two-thirds of people with a combination of vision and hearing loss are over the age of 70. In Ireland, 1050 of the 1749 people with a combination of serious vision and hearing impairments are over the age of 65.

As a person ages their ability to hear and see well can gradually become compromised.

Older people often consider hearing and sight loss as a natural part of the ageing process and as a result, don’t always see themselves as ‘deafblind’.  Acquired deafblindness is also likely to be under diagnosed and in some cases the impact of dual sensory loss can be confused with cognitive decline or dementia.

As people live longer and the number of older people rises, so too will the number of people who are deafblind. It is important that older people have access to supports that will help them to adjust to dual sensory impairment and will enable them to live independent and fulfilling lives.

If you are an older person who has a combination of vision and hearing difficulties, you can follow this link to our What we do page to find out more about how we can help support you.

Congenital Rubella Syndrome

Rubella is a mild and preventable disease caused by a virus. Symptoms include swollen glands, a slight temperature, or a sore throat and rash. If a woman contracts Rubella in the early stages of pregnancy however, her baby can be affected by a condition known as Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS). The condition can impact on a child’s ability to see and hear and also cause developmental delay.

Congenital Rubella Syndrome was once the leading cause of deafblindness around the world but the availability of the MMR vaccine, since 1971 onwards, has resulted in a dramatic decrease in the number of children being born with CRS. In the UK, fewer than 3% of women are now susceptible to being infected by Rubella and in Ireland the number of reported cases of Rubella has fallen from 3304 in 1961 to 4 in 2011.

CHARGE Syndrome

CHARGE is a rare condition that can affect different parts of the body. The most common problems are with the eyes, ears, heart, nasal passages, feeding and growth – although the condition, and its severity, does vary from person to person.

The name ‘CHARGE’ was first used in 1981 to refer to a newly recognised cluster of features seen in a number of children. Over the years, it has become clear that CHARGE is a Syndrome and at least one gene causing CHARGE Syndrome has been discovered. The letters in CHARGE were originally used to describe some of the typical features of the syndrome as follows:

Coloboma of the eye, (This is an eye deformity where part of the eye has failed to develop  properly and is missing) Heart Defects, Atresia of the choanae, (This is a closure of one, or both, of the openings at the back of the nose.) Delay of growth and/or development,  Genital and/or urinary abnormalities, and Ear Abnormalities and deafness

It estimated that 4 – 6% of the deafblind population are deafblind as a result of CHARGE Syndrome.

In Ireland, more than 10 families affected by CHARGE have recorded their details on the National Registry of People who are deafblind established in 2014.

Despite the many obstacles that face children diagnosed with CHARGE Syndrome many go on to lead full and active lives.

To find out more about the services we provide for people with CHARGE Syndrome  you can join our online parent support group using this link to our Facebook CHARGE support group

SENSE, the UK’s leading deafblind charity, have a comprehensive and informative section on their website link to SENSE UK CHARGE section

Usher Syndrome

Usher Syndrome is now the most common cause of deafblindness worldwide, after age-related deafblindness. Typically, a person with Usher Syndrome is born Deaf or Hard of Hearing and experiences progressive sight loss due to Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP). Symptoms include night blindness a gradual narrowing of visual field and eventual loss of sight. The severity of the deterioration and speed that sight loss progresses varies from person to person.

Three subtypes of the condition Usher Syndrome have been found and can be explained as follows;

Type 1 can cause profound deafness from birth, balance (vestibular) issues from a young age and a progressive loss of vision.
Type 2 causes moderate to severe hearing from birth and progressive vision loss.
Type 3 usually causes progressive hearing loss at a later age and progressive vision loss.
Atypical Usher syndrome is where there is a combination of the above symptoms that does not fit into the 3 types.

 

What is Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP)?

The eye is often compared to a camera. The front of the eye contains a lens that focuses images on the inside of the back of the eye. This area, called the retina, is covered with special nerve cells that react to light.

These nerve cells include the rods and cones. The rods and cones react to light because they contain pigments that change colour when light strikes them. In some people, however, there is a problem with these pigments. The rods (and sometimes the cones) gradually stop working, and the retina begins to deteriorate and cause difficulty with vision.

Follow this link to the Cleveland Clinic website to learn more about Retinitis Pigmentosa

How Common is Usher Syndrome?

Approximately 3–6% of all children who are deaf and another 3–6% of children who are hard-of-hearing have Usher syndrome. Studies performed in Northern Europe have revealed rates of 3.5 per 100,000 (Finland) and 6.2 per 100,000 (Heidelberg, Germany). In the United States, about 4 in every 100,000 births have Usher syndrome. To put the figure in context, it is interesting to note that 2 in every 100,000 people are diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease – the cause for which the Ice Bucket Challenge was dedicated in 2014.

If the 4 in every 100,000 formula is applied to Ireland, almost 300 people are estimated to be affected by the syndrome.

What can a person with Usher Syndrome see?

2 photos, photo on right shows what a person with Ushers syndrome will see

What Causes Usher Syndrome? The Science Part!

A gene is an ‘instruction’ made from the chemical DNA which tells the body to make something (a protein). We have 20,000 pairs of genes in every cell of our bodies and we have millions and millions of cells. This means that we cannot remove a ‘bad’ gene and replace it with a ‘good’ gene.

infographic showing man and woman and likelihood of their children inheriting usher syndromeScientists have identified more than 10 different genes that can cause Usher Syndrome. Each person inherits two copies of each gene, one from each parent. A ‘misprint’ (a gene ‘mutation’) in both copies of any one of those 10 genes means that the correct protein that is needed in cells of the inner ear and in the retina is not made in the body.

Usher syndrome is inherited as a recessive trait which means that an individual must receive a mutated form of the Usher syndrome gene from both parents. If a child has a mutation in one Usher syndrome gene but the other gene is normal, he or she is predicted to have normal vision and hearing.

Usually, parents who have normal hearing and vision do not know if they are carriers of an Usher syndrome gene mutation.

 

 

Chances of inheriting a recessive disorder

An individual who has one changed Usher Syndrome gene is called a carrier. When two carriers of the same Usher Syndrome gene have a child together, with each birth there is a:

1 in 4 chance of having a child with Usher Syndrome

2 in 4 chance of having a child who is a carrier

1 in 4 chance of having a child who neither has Usher Syndrome nor is a carrier

How is Usher syndrome diagnosed?

Because Usher syndrome affects hearing, balance, and vision, diagnosis of the disorder usually includes the evaluation of all three senses. Evaluation of the eyes may include a visual field test to measure a person’s peripheral vision, an electroretinogram (ERG) to measure the electrical response of the eye’s light-sensitive cells, and a retinal examination to observe the retina and other structures in the back of the eye. A hearing (audiologic) test can measure how loud sounds at a range of frequencies need to be before a person can hear them and an electronystagmogram (ENG) can measure involuntary eye movements that could signify a balance problem.

Genetic Testing

Since scientists have identified a number of genes associated with the condition, genetic testing can now offer a definitive diagnosis of Usher Syndrome. The test can provide an individual or their parents with the satisfaction of understanding the cause of certain physical issues. It can also be useful when making reproductive choices because once a genetic cause is identified it is then possible to predict the likelihood that future children will also have Usher Syndrome. In general, how people use genetic information will vary widely depending upon individual perspectives about hearing loss, religious beliefs and other factors. It is important that anyone considering genetic testing is informed about the benefits and drawbacks. To find out more about genetic testing in Ireland please visit the following links:

Link to Department of Genetics in Trinity College Dublin website

Link to genetics.ie clinic website

Is there a cure?

Currently, there is no cure for Usher syndrome. However, scientific researchers around the world are making significant advances in treating hearing loss and the retinal degeneration experienced by people with Usher Syndrome.

There are also a growing number of treatments available that facilitate people with Usher Syndrome to live independent and fulfilling lives. The exact nature of these treatments will depend on the severity of the hearing and vision loss as well as the age and abilities of the person. Typically, treatment will include hearing aids, assistive listening devices, cochlear implants, or other communication methods such as Irish Sign Language; orientation and mobility training; and communication services and independent-living training that may include Braille instruction, low-vision services, or auditory training.

Learn more about communicating with people who are deafblind

Potential Treatments and Research

Research into an effective treatment for Usher Syndrome is focused on four main areas, gene therapy, retinal implants, stem cell therapy and drug-based therapy. Visit Usher Syndrome Coalition website for treatment research.

Technological advances in the last few decades have also greatly enhanced the range of communication devices and aids available to people with vision and hearing difficulties.

Services and Supports

The Anne Sullivan Centre is committed to developing accessible, inclusive and worthwhile training and support programmes for people with Usher Syndrome in Ireland. We are particularly interested in engaging with people who have Usher Syndrome and their families to ensure that they can contribute to the development of programmes to meet their needs. If you would like to get involved please contact info@annesullivancentre.ie or visit this link  to register a person who is deafblind on our website

Usher Ireland

Usher Ireland are a new non-profit charity that was set up with the mission of stimulating and funding, new and current, research for cures and treatments for this rare genetic disease.You can visit their website at the following look Usher Ireland website

International Support: The Usher Coalition

The Usher Syndrome Coalition’s was set up to raise awareness of Usher Syndrome and accelerate research for the most common cause of combined deafness and blindness. The coalition maintains a registry of people affected by the condition, which aligns over 650 people with Usher Syndrome across 37 countries, including Ireland.

According to the coalition, the greatest fear expressed by researchers working to find a cure for Usher Syndrome is not that they will fail to find treatments. They are confident that they will. It’s that they will fail to get them through clinical trials because they are not connected with enough Usher families. Building the Usher Syndrome Registry is a crucial step towards resolving this problem. If you would like to Join the Registry please visit this link Usher coalition registry page.

External Links to A-   Z of Causes and Conditions associated with deafblindness

A

Aicardi syndrome
Alport syndrome
Alström syndrome
Apert syndrome


B
Bardet-Biedl syndrome
Batten disease


C
CHARGE syndrome
Chromosome 18
Cockayne syndrome
Cogan’s syndrome
Congenital Rubella syndrome
Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLs)
Craniosynostosis (Aipert, Crouzon and Pfeiffer)
Cri du chat syndrome
Cytomegalovirus (CMV)


D
Dandy Walker syndrome
DIDMOAD (Wolfram syndrome)
Down syndrome


F
Flynn Aird syndrome
Foetal alcohol syndrome
Freidrich’s ataxia


G
Goldenhar syndrome


K
Kearns-Sayre syndrome
Kniest dysplasia


M
Marfan syndrome
Marshall syndrome
Marshall Smith syndrome
Meningitis (viral and bacterial)
Metachromatic-leukodystrophy                                                                                                                                         

Mitochondrial-disease
Moebius syndrome
Mohr-Tranebjaerg (deafness-dystonia-optic-neuronopathy) syndrome

 


N

Neurofibramotosis type-2
Norrie disease


P
Pallister Killian Mosaic syndrome
Peroxisomal disorders (including Refsum Disease, Zellweger syndrome and Infantile Adrenoleukodystrophy)
Pierre-Robin syndrome


S
Stickler syndrome
Sturge-Weber syndrome


T
Treacher Collins syndrome
Trisomy 13 (also known as Patau syndrome)


U
Usher syndrome


W
Waardenburg syndrome
Wildervanck syndrome
Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome (Trisomy 4p)