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. 2023 May 16;3(5):e0001905.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001905. eCollection 2023.

Prevalence and impact of combined vision and hearing (dual sensory) impairment: A scoping review

Tess Bright  1 , Jacqueline Ramke  2   3 , Justine H Zhang  2   4 , Gatera Fiston Kitema  5 , Sare Safi  6 , Shaffi Mdala  7 , Miho Yoshizaki  2 , Christopher G Brennan-Jones  8   9   10 , Islay Mactaggart  2   11 , Iris Gordon  2 , Bonnielin K Swenor  12   13   14 , Matthew J Burton  2   15 , Jennifer R Evans  2   16
Affiliations

Prevalence and impact of combined vision and hearing (dual sensory) impairment: A scoping review

Tess Bright et al. PLOS Glob Public Health. .

Abstract

Hearing and vision impairments are common globally. They are often considered separately in research, and in planning and delivering services. However, they can occur concurrently, termed dual sensory impairment (DSI). The prevalence and impact of hearing and vision impairment have been well-examined, but there has been much less consideration of DSI. The aim of this scoping review was to determine the nature and extent of the evidence on prevalence and impact of DSI. Three databases were searched: MEDLINE, Embase and Global Health (April 2022). We included primary studies and systematic reviews reporting the prevalence or impact of DSI. No limits were placed on age, publication dates, or country. Only studies where the full text was available in English were included. Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstract, full texts. Data were charted by two reviewers independently using a pre-piloted form. The review identified 183 reports of 153 unique primary studies and 14 review articles. Most evidence came from high-income countries (86% of reports). Prevalence varied across reports, as did age groups of participants and definitions used. The prevalence of DSI increased with age. Impact was examined across three broad groups of outcomes-psychosocial, participation, and physical health. There was a strong trend towards poorer outcomes for people with DSI across all categories compared to people with one or neither impairment, including activities of daily living (worse for people with DSI in 78% of reports) and depression (68%). This scoping review highlights that DSI is a relatively common condition with substantial impact, particularly among older adults. There is a gap in evidence from low and middle-income countries. There is a pressing need for a consensus position on the definition(s) of DSI and standardisation of reporting age groups to enable reliable estimates to be ascertained and compared and responsive services developed.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. PRISMA flow chart.
DSI: Dual sensory impairment, HI: Hearing impairment, VI: Vision impairment].
Fig 2
Fig 2. Prevalence (95%CI) of DSI by age, region, study setting, and measurement type in population-based studies.
(SR = self-report; C = clinical (PTA or VA); M = mixed (SR and C); O = other)] ^^ measured DSI in a subpopulation, * same study, multiple countries, or multiple prevalence estimates reported.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Prevalence (95%CI) of DSI by age, region, study setting, and measurement type in non-population-based studies (SR = self-report; C = clinical (PTA or VA); M = mixed (SR and C); O = other)] ^^ measured DSI in a subpopulation, * same study, multiple countries, or multiple prevalence estimates reported.
Fig 4
Fig 4. Impact of DSI across the domains of psychosocial, participation and physical health outcomes (*Other includes: Quality of life; self-evaluation of life; suicide ideation or attempt; episodic memory; behavioural disorder; developmental disability; acute confusion; intellectual disability.
**Other includes: impendence, participation, retirement, education, wealth, self-regulation/goal pursuit, work, communication. ***Other includes: health care costs, sexual health, long term care admissions, hospitalisation)]. Studies were classified as “varied” if results for a study were worse in one outcome of interest or and the same or better in another.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

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