Prevalence, diagnoses and rehabilitation services related to severe dual sensory loss (DSL) in older persons: a cross-sectional study based on medical records

Abstract

Objective To estimate the prevalence of severe dual sensory loss (DSL) among older persons (aged ≥65 years) in the Swedish population, to identify the diagnoses that cause severe DSL, and to identify rehabilitation services in which the participants have been involved. Design A cross-sectional design was applied. Medical records from Audiological, Low Vision, and Vision clinics from two Swedish counties were used. Study sample 1257 adults, aged ≥65 years with severe hearing loss (HL) (≥70 dB HL) were included, whereof 101 had decimal visual acuity ≤0.3. Results Based on the population size in the two counties (≥65 years, n = 127,638), the prevalence of severe DSL was approximately 0.08% in the population. Within the group having DSL (n = 101), 61% were women and 71% were aged ≥85 years. Common diagnoses were cataract and/or age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in combination with HL. The rehabilitation services offered were mainly hearing aids and various magnifiers. Conclusions The study confirmed previous results, indicating that the prevalence of severe DSL increases with age and that sensorineural HL and cataract, AMD or glaucoma coexist. The identified rehabilitation services mainly focussed on either vision loss or HL but not on severe DSL as a complex health condition.