This information has been produced by the Specialist Teacher for Multi-Sensory Impairment. The role is part of the Southend-on-Sea Vision and Hearing Support Service.
Multi-Sensory Impairment (MSI) is a term used to describe children who have both:
- hearing loss and;
- vision impairment
It is the term used by the Department for Education for those who are deafblind. It is sometimes called:
- `dual sensory loss` or;
- `deafblindness`
MSI can affect a child's:
- ability to communicate
- ability to access information
- mobility
The combination of impairments of vision and hearing can cause far more difficulty than might be expected from the impact of each separately.
It is important to understand it:
- does not mean a deaf person who cannot see
- does not mean a blind person who cannot hear
- can be present from birth (known as congenital)
- can develop later in life
Our experience of the world, our "reality", comes through our senses.
Children with MSI have a different "reality". They do not experience the world in the same way as sighted hearing people. Their whole knowledge and experience of the world is different.
Combined losses of vision and hearing are significant for the individual even when they are not profoundly deaf and totally blind. It is the way one sensory impairment interacts or compounds the second impairment, which causes the difficulties.
Many children also face other challenges, such as:
- medical conditions and/or;
- physical disabilities
A very small number of children with MSI are totally blind and deaf. Most have some useful vision and/or hearing. It may not be clear at first how well a child can see or hear.
MSI is a very rare impairment, particularly in children.
Organisations providing support and information
National Deaf Children's Society
Royal Association for Deaf People
Royal National Institute of Blind People
Royal Society for Blind Children