Prevalence of visual and hearing impairment in a Dutch institutionalized population with intellectual disability

Abstract

A screening of hearing and visual function was performed using clinical assessment methods in a Dutch institutionalized population of 672 people with mild to profound intellectual disability (ID). Because the studied population was not comparable to the total Dutch population with ID, subgroups were distinguished according to level of ID, age younger and older than 50 years, and the presence or absence of Down's syndrome (DS). The prevalences of both hearing and visual impairment were considerably increased in all subgroups, as compared with the general population. In the least affected group, i.e. those < 50 years with a mild or moderate ID by other causes than DS, the prevalences of hearing and visual impairment were 21% and 4%, respectively (as opposed to 2-7% and 0.2-1.9% in the general Dutch population <50 years, respectively). The prevalence of hearing impairment showed a sharp and highly significant increase in individuals with DS and subjects > or = 50 years. To a lesser extent, young adults with severe or profound ID had an increased risk of hearing impairment. Visual impairment and blindness were specifically highly prevalent in people with severe or profound ID (51% < 50 years of age). Down's syndrome and an age > or = 50 years were also significant risk factors for visual impairment. There was an alarmingly high prevalence of combined sensory impairment, especially in those with severe or profound ID (20%). Although hearing impairment had been diagnosed prior to this screen in 138 people and visual impairment in 65 individuals, a first diagnosis of hearing impairment was made in 128 subjects and of visual impairment in 90 cases. This highlights the tendency for sensory impairments to go unnoticed in people with ID, which is not restricted to those with severe or profound ID. Therefore, the present authors stress the importance of regular screening as outlined in the existing IASSID international consensus statement.

Prevalence of visual impairment in adults with intellectual disabilities in the Netherlands: cross-sectional study

“…Early investigations either covered small or selected adult groups or were collected from (incomplete) registrations. [2][3][4] In more recent studies, assessing larger adult populations, [5][6][7][8][9][10] samples were still selected and never large enough for statistical evaluation of subgroups. Epidemiological research of visual impairment in children with ID is scarce.…”

Audiometric screening of a population with intellectual disability

“…These problems will be even more accentuated if additional disabilities occur. However, if the hearing problems are minimized, the capability for communication expands, reducing the negative psychological and social consequences and improving the quality of life (Fulton & Lloyd, 1975; van Schrojenstein Lantman-de Valk et al, 1994;Evenhuis et al, 2001). Therefore, access to hearing investigations including standardized, universal, recurrent hearing screening must be offered people with intellectual disability.…”

“…Schrojenstein Lantman-de Valk et al, 1994;Evenhuis et al, 2001). Therefore, access to hearing investigations including standardized, universal, recurrent hearing screening must be offered people with intellectual disability.…”

A Randomized Controlled Trial on Clinical Efficacy of Massage Therapy in a Multisensory Environment for Residents with Severe and Profound Intellectual Disabilities

“…The use of massage was supposed to enrich the relaxation of participant with visual and hearing loss through physical contact; the findings of this study could not affirm this assumption. In general, visual and hearing impairments among people with severe ID accounted for 50% and 25% respectively (Evenhuis et al 2001;Munde et al 2011). Comparatively, this study had fewer subjects with visual (33%) and hearing (9.5%) impairment.…”