Impact on individuals essay sample

1. 1 analyse how a range of factors can impact on individuals with sensory loss.

A range of factors can impact individuals with sensory loss, such as blind or partly sighted individuals struggle to read peoples facial expressions, which are important for communication. Also not realizing someone is talking to an individual if they are walking past or stood behind them can be frustrating. Written communication can also be problematic for partly sighted individuals. Larger font may help overcome these issues. People who are hard of hearing can also become frustrated as they can’t hear day to day noises such as the doorbell, telephone ring or people talking to them directly. This may make them feel with drawn from others and lonely.

1. 2 analyse how societal attitudes and beliefs impact on individuals with sensory loss.

Social attitudes and beliefs impact on individuals with sensory loss as some people treat the individual as if they were incapable to understand. Society is recognising the need of deaf people by putting loop systems in to public buildings such as banks, the cinema and conference facilities. This helps people with hearing aids. Subtitles or signer are available on many TV programs but these are on late at night. Finding work when you have sensory loss can be hard, even thou under the Equality act and disability discrimination act means the employer cannot discriminate against sensory loss it is difficult to convince them they are able to do the job as efficiently as anyone else. These attitudes can knock confidence and may result in the individual not trying and become withdrawn.

1. 3 Explore how a range of factors, societal attitudes and beliefs impact on service provision.

Services use to be the most convenient way for the organisation providing the help to the individual. People were expected to fit in around the organisation, where now people are given their own voice. Most people are offered a personal budget this looks at what support would be best for them giving them the control. Personal budgets are based on what they are able to do themselves and identify where paid support is needed. This gives people the chance to decide, what support they have, how they want the support, whom they want to deliver the support and when they want support.

2. 1 explain the methods of communication used by individuals with:

-sight loss
Individuals with sight loss can use larger print, print that is not joined up, and not all in capitals. Braille is often used in sight loss. A magnify glass is frequently used to help read and write. When reading a ruler or plain piece of paper to mark the line and reduce glare coming from the page can also be found useful. A big button telephone enables people with sight loss to access the telephone.

-hearing loss
British sign language is the choice for a lot of deaf people in the UK. The grammatical rules of the BSL are completely different to the rules of English language. Another preferred way of communicating is using lip speakers. These follow the conversation and repeat it without using their voice, this makes it easier to lip-read. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may also use speech to text reporter. A special keyboard to produce a word for word report that is displayed on a computer screen for the person to read. The use of hearing aids enhances communication for some people, there are many types of hearing aids, induction loops and conversers on sale and some hearing aids are available from the NHS.

Unit 31
-Deaf-blindness
deaf-blind people have many ways of communicating. The methods they use depend on the causes of their combined sight and hearing loss, their background and their education. Some hard of hearing people with low vision use sign language. In some cases people may need to sign more slowly it also helps if the signer wears a shirt that contrasts with his/her skin colour. Tactile sign language is where the deaf-blind person puts their hands over the signers hands to feel the shape and movement of the sign. Some signs and facial expressions may need to be modified. Deaf-blind can also use a screen Braille communicator, a small portable device that enables them to communicate with sighted people. Alternate communication is print on palm, the person communicating with the deaf-blind person prints large block letters on the other persons hand. Each letter is written in the same location on the persons hand. This is a way for the deaf-blind to communicate with the public.

2. 2 describe how the environment facilitates effective communication for people with sensory loss. The environment can affect people with sensory loss communicating because it is to noise and hard to concentrate e. g. hearing aids can pick up all noises if the LOOP in not in place. When trying to sign in a busy surrounding it could be hard to see the signers hands clearly.

2. 3 explain how effective communication may have a positive impact on lives of individuals with sensory loss. Effective communication may have a positive impact on individuals lives as it will give them confidence. The more confidence they gain the more willing they will be to try new things. They will have more self-esteem and will be able to apply for work. Effective communication can give them a better social life, they will want to spend time with others and less likely to become withdrawn and depressed.

3. 1 identify the main cause of sensory loss.
The main causes of sensory loss in the eye sometimes the delicate cells of the macula become damaged and stop working. There are many different conditions which can cause this. If it occurs in later life it is called age-related macular degeneration. Glaucoma is the name for a group of eye conditions in which the optic nerve is damaged at the point where it leaves the eye. Cataract is a clouding of part of the eye called the lens, vision becomes blurred because the cataract is like a frosted glass, interfering with sight. Conductive hearing loss is caused by anything that stops sound moving from your outer ear to your inner ear. Other causes of conductive hearing loss are Middle ear infections, Otosclerosis a condition where the three tiny bones of the middle ear harden and become less able to vibrate. Damage to the ossicles, by serious infection or head injury. A perforated eardrum. Sensorineural hearing loss is sometimes referred to as sensory, cochlear, neural or inner ear hearing loss.

3. 2 define congenital sensory loss acquired sensory loss
Congenital sensory loss will be present at birth.
Acquired is anything that is not present at birth but develops some time later. Unit 31

3. 3 identify the demographic factors that influence the incidence of sensory loss in the population There are many demographic factors that influence the incidence of sensory loss in the population. As people age it is a common thought that losing some sight or hearing is normal part of ageing rather than being potentially disabling. With the growing life expectancy the percentage of older people who experience both sight and hearing loss is also increasing. There has been a major increase in the number of people living to old age when it is thought that deaf-blindness is most likely to be challenging.

4. 1 Identify the indicators and signs of
-Sight loss
Some of the signs you may notice are:
Moving about cautiously.
Holding books or reading material close to the face or at arm’s length.
Overcautious driving habits.
Finding lighting either too dim or too bright.
Frequent eye glass prescription changes.
Squinting or tilting the head to see.
Difficulty in recognising people.
Changes in leisure activities.
Changes in person appearance.
Bumping into objects.
Appearing disoriented or confused.

-Hearing loss
Some of the signs you might notice are:
Not responding when you speak to them from behind.
Often asking people to repeat what they have said.
Not hearing when someone knocks at the door or rings the bell. Complaining that people mumble or speak too quickly.
Having difficulty hearing when several people are present.
Needing the tv/radio/stereo to be louder than is usual for others. Having difficulty following speech with unfamiliar people or accents. Having problems using the telephone.

-Deaf-blindness
When people experience a loss of both vision and hearing, you may notice a combination of any of the signs from the lists.

4. 2 Explain actions that should be taken if there are concerns about onset of sensory loss or changes in sensory status. If you have concerns it is important that you talk to the person you support and explain what can be done to help them. Go through the options for investigating the cause of the sensory loss and ensure that you have the persons agreement to contact the relevant health professional. If the person you support has family or informal carers as part of their support network you should talk to them if they agree. As a carer you should also report and record to the office.

Unit 31

4. 3 Identify sources of support for those who may be experiencing onset of sensory loss.

There may be specialist sensory support workers available, or sensory support may be offered through a general adults service. Some primary care trusts also have sensory support teams who may be able to provide support or to offer advice on good practice. The local Council for Voluntary Service or Citizens Advice Bureau will have a list of any specialist support organisations or regular activity groups in the area.