Dual Sensory Loss: A Guide for Outreach to Primary Care Physicians

ABSTRACT

Outreach efforts by audiologists can provide physicians and other clinicians with valuable information regarding dual sensory loss. Areas of greatest need include screening and early detection, referral to appropriate specialists, ongoing monitoring and follow-up, counseling and education, and access to resources. In addition, the heterogeneity of dual sensory loss poses unique communication challenges in the medical setting, and audiologists can facilitate communication between primary care clinicians and their patients. Primary care clinicians play a central role in early detection, monitoring, and medical management of patients of all ages, and medical outreach efforts by audiologists can contribute to preventing further loss, ameliorating impact, and optimizing patient outcome.

KEYWORDS

Dual sensory impairment - deaf-blind

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