If you have been prescribed only one hearing aid, you will hear increased sounds primarily on one side of your body. This can cause disorientation, confusion and difficulty with mobility, and identifying specific characteristics in the environment. In some instances, audiologists may recommend dual aids for a person with vision loss so that they can maintain some level of "binaural" hearing (hearing from both sides of their body).

There are no special hearing aids for people who are blind. The majority of hearing aids magnify sounds, usually all sounds, whereas some of the newest, digital hearing aids focus on magnifying speech and blocking background sounds. The newer ones may take more practice to use but could make conversation easier and more comfortable.

Be sure to discuss these issues and concerns with your audiologist.

Related resource links include

• American Association of the Deaf-Blind
• Helen Keller Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults
• Deafblind Manual Alphabet
• For an example of how the deaf-blind communicte and other useful links in England, visit Information about Deafblindness