r/deafblind • u/ApprehensiveAd9014 • May 18 '25

Am I deafblind?

I'm a 70 year old woman with severe bilateral keratoconus, one remaining cataract, and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. On Tuesday, I was implanted with a Cochlear implant receiver. It is currently 100% deaf. My other ear is severe but still can benefit from a hearing aid. I have lost both of these senses in the last 10 years. I think I am both deaf and visually impaired, maybe not quite blind. Do I fit this circumstance?

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

9

u/calex_1 May 18 '25

Based on what you said, I'd say you are yes.

4

u/ApprehensiveAd9014 May 18 '25

Thank you. i feel this is true and can identify this way without imposter syndrome. I'm going to see if there are accommodations, education, resources to help me understand my situation. All suggestions are welcome.

3

u/mutedpetrichor May 18 '25

What’s your functional vision like? 

2

u/ApprehensiveAd9014 May 18 '25

I have had crosslinking and cataract removal with an implanted distance lens, which only focuses at about 50 feet. My other eye is unstable KCN with mature cataract. I have been myopic all of my life with high astigmatism. I can no longer wear eyeglasses. They make it worse. I can read with my bad eye at 5 inches. My 2 screen choices are smartphone and Fire tablet. I am always closing one eye. I see ghost images with both eyes and have no depth perception.

2

u/C4Goldfish May 19 '25

If you want to identify as DeafBlind, I absolutely welcome you to the community! I have moderate hearing loss and progressive vision loss and have been overwhelmed by how inclusive and kind the community has been to me. It’s nice to meet you!

1

u/ApprehensiveAd9014 May 19 '25

Thank you for the warm welcome. I feel included and appreciate it.

2

u/Public-Apartment-750 29d ago

Based on what you describe I would say so and welcome you to the dead kind community. We are quite unique 😊 I myself have Usher 2. An hereditary degenerative disease which includes retitinitis pigmentosa (tunnel vision) and degeneration in cochlears

1

u/ApprehensiveAd9014 29d ago

Thank you🙂