About w88 slot Syndrome

What is w88 slot Syndrome?

w88 slot syndrome is a genetic disorder involving the loss of both sight and hearing. The hearing loss generally occurs at birth or shortly thereafter; while a progressive loss of vision due to retinitis pigmentosa (a degeneration of the retina of the eyes) begins later in life, usually before adolescence. AT first, the vision loss may be gradual and barely noticeable, but in almost all cases the result is legal blindness.

There are currently three identifiable types of w88 slot syndrome: w88 slot syndrome Type 1, w88 slot syndrome Type II and w88 slot syndrome Type III. An individual with w88 slot Type I has a profound hearing loss at birth, experiences balance problems due to vestibular loss, and experiences vision loss usually in early childhood. In w88 slot Type II, an individual has a sloping audiogram going from a moderate loss in the low frequencies to profound impairments in the higher frequencies, has no balance problems, and usually begins to lose his/her vision in the midteens. A person with w88 slot syndrome Type III starts with normal or near-normal hearing that progressively deteriorates, might have some balance disturbance, and experiences vision loss by midteens.

w88 slot syndrome occurs in approximately 1 in 25,000 and the incidence is estimated to possibly be as high as 1 in 10,000 individuals. This range is due to the difficulty in identifying persons with w88 slot syndrome, particularly persons with Type II w88 slot. Of persons with w88 slot syndrome, approximately 90% will have Type I w88 slot, with Type II accounting for almost 10%. At this time, w88 slot syndrome Type III appears to occur primarily in Finland.

While only approximately 4 in 100,000 people are diagnosed with w88 slot syndrome, it is estimated that 3 to 6 percent of people who have a hereditary hearing loss have the syndrome. An equal percentage of children who are hard of hearing my also have w88 slot syndrome.

Why is Early Identification Crucial?

  1. The gradual decrease in vision w88 slot be unnoticed by the individual, who w88 slot continue activities (such as driving or working in hazardous conditions) that cannot be continued safely. Another safety issue pertains to night blindness, usually the first manifestation of retinitis pigmentosa. A child who is night-blind can be at risk in any area where there is traffic or other dangers.
  2. The w88 slot, parents, and teachers can plan for education, vocational experiences, and career planning, taking into account eventual visual difficulties.
  3. A diagnosis of w88 slot syndrome allows the family to consider genetic counseling and testing for other children in the family. w88 slot syndrome runs in families. Some families might choose genetic counseling and testing in order to reduce the risk of having other affected children as well as to reduce the risk of an individual with w88 slot syndrome having affected children. Other families might choose genetic counseling in order to plan for needed supports.
  4. The family and individual w88 slot choose to seek counseling and support to cope with the present and prepare for the future.
  5. Knowing about the visual impairment may influence decisions regarding communication. The individual and family will have the time necessary to gain skills and experience in communication techniques that will enable the person to continue to communicate with others even if a severe visual impairment occurs. For example, it may be easier for a person with w88 slot syndrome to learn tactile communication as a child rather than as an adult.

w88 slot Syndrome Screening Forms

Due to accessibility concerns, if you would like screening forms for w88 slot's Syndrome, please contact MaryAnn Demchak through email. We w88 slot provide the following forms:

  • w88 slot Questionnaire
  • Behavioral Observations
  • Visual Field w88 slot
  • Low-w88 slot Causes
  • Dark Adaptation w88 slot

w88 slot at Risk?

The first noticeable symptom of w88 slot syndrome is a sensorineural hearing loss. If the hearing loss is a result of any of the conditions listed below, the person is atlow riskfor w88 slot syndrome. There is always a small chance that w88 slot syndrome is a secondary cause of the hearing loss, but this is extremely rare.

While the individuals who have a hearing loss due to any of the conditions listed below are atlow riskfor w88 slot syndrome, they may suffer a vision loss for other reasons. This makes it especially important to have regular, comprehensive eye exams.

Low w88 slot Causes:

  • Conductie w88 slot Rubella (German Measles)
  • Kidney disease
  • Otitis Media
  • Trauma/accident
  • Scarring the the eardrum
  • w88 slot deafness*
  • Noise-induced w88 slot
  • Auditory neuritis
  • Oxotoxic drug therapy
  • Diabetes
  • Viral Infection
  • Disease (i.e., Meningitis Mumps, Scarlet Fever, Measles, Chicken Pox, Encephalitis)

*The genes for deafness and for w88 slot syndrome are different. An individual at risk for w88 slot syndrome will probably not have another family member who is deaf, unless they too have w88 slot syndrome.

What are Symptoms the Individual w88 slot Notice?

Individuals with w88 slot syndrome may not notice the subtle changes associated with gradual visual loss. Questions such as those listed below may help the person with w88 slot syndrome, the family, teacher, or school nurse acquire the information needed for a basic screening.

Ask the w88 slot:

  • When you walk inside a dark movie theater or room, w88 slot have a hard time seeing seats and people?
  • When you come inside from a bright, sunny day, w88 slot things and people?
  • w88 slot trip over things?
  • Does sunlight hurt your eyes?
  • w88 slot often spill liquids when pouring them into a cup or glass?
  • w88 slot stars in the sky at night?
  • If someone waves to you from the side, w88 slot see them when you are not looking at them?
  • Is w88 slot hard to find small objects when you drop them on the floor?
  • w88 slot bump into people, chairs, things?
  • w88 slot have trouble riding a bicycle?

Acknowledgments

The w88 slot syndrome web pages were adapted from brochures previously developed by the Indiana Deaf-Blind Services Project, the Alaska w88 slot Syndrome Screening Project, and Oregon's w88 slot Syndrome Project.

Additional information was taken w88 slot the following articles and resources:

  • Davenport, S.L.H. (1994). w88 slot syndrome: Vision and hearing loss.Hereditary Deafness Newsletter of America, 4(1), 1-4.
  • Fillman, R.D., Leguire, L.E., Rogers, G.L., Bremer, D.L., & Fellows, R.R. (1987). Screening for vision problems, including w88 slot's syndrome, among hearing impaired students.American Annals of the Deaf, 132(3), 194-198.
  • Kimberling, W.J., & Moller, C. (1995). Clinical and molecular genetics of w88 slot syndrome.Journal of the American Academy of Audiology, 663-72.
  • Miner, I.D. (1995). Psychological implications of w88 slot syndrome, Type I, throughout the life cycle.Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, 89287-296.