Introduction
1) Discuss goal and design of treatment
2) Check severity of vision and hearing loss
3) Check available low vision and hearing aids
4) Check if the patient has comorbidity
5) Create awareness with the patient of his/her dual sensory loss
6) Create awareness of the communication partner about dual sensory loss (CD)
Chapter 1: Hearing aids
7) Give information on hearing aids and discuss realistic expectations
8) Discuss experiences and problems with hearing aids
9) Check working of hearing aid, batteries and tube
10) Check amplification of hearing aid
11) Check replacement of hearing aid and ear mold
12) Check visibility of hearing aid, advise on use of low vision devices if necessary
13) Check the possibilities of the hearing aid, such as settings/modes and programs
14) Check skills in hearing aid use and manipulation of controls
15) Check batteries and battery replacement
16) Mark hearing aid
17) Dry clean ear mold
18) Wet clean ear mold
Chapter 2: Optimal use of the senses: living environment &hearing assistive devices
19) Lighting for speech reading
20) Advice on acoustics for speech intelligibility
21) Use of loop systems in public buildings
22) Use of subtitles and spoken subtitles
23) Check whether the patient would benefit from other hearing assistive devices
Chapter 3: Communication and coping with DSL
24) Address problems related to fatigue and energy balance
25) Use of communication strategies by the patient (handout)
26) Use of communication strategies by communication partner (handout)
27) Discuss the use of communication strategies on the basis of propositions
28) Address DSL (vision and hearing impairment) to the speaker
29) Ask speaker for clarification
30) Discuss communication strategies using specific questions
31) Provide information on patient organizations and peer groups
Home assignment
a) Watch the DVD ‘Hearing and being heard’ on the use of communication strategies, together with the communication partner. Discuss the situations on the DVD using questions.
b) Attend a social activity, to apply the new skills and communication strategies.
The OT will go through the checklist in 3–5 sessions at the patient’s home; participation of the communication partner is strongly recommended. The sessions are divided in two parts of 30 minutes each, separated by a break of 15 minutes. This takes into account, the length of the sessions, as well as the rapid fatigue and decreased ability of older adults with DSL to concentrate for longer periods of time. The exact number of sessions needed to go through the checklist depends on the abilities/needs of the individual patient. We anticipate the (valuable) participation of communication partners, since communication is interactive and relies on the conversational abilities of both communication partners.