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Staying independent

Vision and hearing support

On this page:

    Who this page is for

    This page is for adults aged 18 and over who have hearing loss, sight loss, or both. Support for children with sensory impairments is provided through the local offer.

    What is a vision or hearing impairment

    A vision or hearing impairment, sometimes referred to as a sensory impairment, is a broad term that includes:

    • deafness or hearing loss
    • blindness, sight loss, or visual impairment
    • deafblindness

    You don’t need to have a complete loss of hearing or sight to be considered sensory impaired - anyone with reduced hearing or vision may fall into this group.

    A sensory impairment is different to having a sensory need, which can be something experienced by those with autism, ADHD, or other neurodivergences. To get support with sensory needs, you can connect with our autism and ADHD partnership board.

    Support for people with visual impairments

    Visual impairment (or low vision) means having reduced sight that can’t be fully corrected with standard glasses or contact lenses. It can make everyday tasks harder, whether some of the time or all of the time.

    Visual impairment can be caused by many conditions, including cataracts, diabetes, glaucoma, genetic conditions or injury, macular degeneration, or visual cortex disorders.

    Depending on your level of sight loss, you may be registered as partially sighted or severely sight impaired (blind).

    Registering as blind or visually impaired

    If your eye consultant decides you’re eligible to be registered as blind or visually impaired, they’ll send us your Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI). This tells us whether you can be registered as sight impaired or severely sight impaired.

    We’ll then get in touch to check you’re happy to be registered, complete the process with you, and issue your registration card.

    Requesting large print or Braille

    If you would like written communication to be sent to you in a different format, such as large print or in Braille, we can arrange this for you.

    Phone adult social care on 01482 393939
    Contact adult social care online
    Accessibility features on this website

    This website has been built with accessibility features so you can make it easier to use. You can find out more by visiting our accessibility statement page.

    Things that might help

    If you need practical support to help you live safely and independently, there are lots of different products that we can recommend, including:

    • Task lamp - Brighter, clearer lighting to make reading and writing easier
    • Electronic magnifier - Connects to your TV to enlarge text if your TV is compatible
    • Kitchen task lamp - Tips to improve visibility while preparing food
    • Liquid level indicator - Beeps and vibrates to tell you when your cup is full
    • Appliance markers - Raised or high‑contrast stickers to make dials and buttons easier to see
    • Talking clock - Speaks the time, day, and date aloud
    • Phone advice - Guidance on making phones easier to see and use
    • Symbol cane - Lets others know you have a visual impairment when out and about
    • Mobility training - Assessment and training for long cane or guide cane use
    Useful links

    Support for people with hearing impairments

    A hearing impairment describes having reduced hearing that can make conversations and everyday sounds harder to follow. This can range from mild hearing loss to profound deafness.

    People may describe themselves as:

    • deaf - having significant or profound hearing loss
    • Deaf - part of the Deaf community, often using British Sign Language (BSL)
    • hard of hearing - having some hearing loss but often using spoken communication or hearing aids

    Hearing loss can be caused by many things, including ageing, noise exposure, illness, injury, or genetics. Some people are born deaf; others lose hearing over time.

    Depending on your level of hearing loss, you may be able to register as hard of hearing or deaf, which can open up access to extra support and services.

    Registering as deaf or hard of hearing

    We can register you as hard of hearing or deaf once you’ve given us permission to request your hearing test results. Registration can help you save money - for example, you may not need to pay VAT on some products.

    If you’re registered as deaf, you may also be entitled to a Disabled Persons Travel pass, which gives you free travel on East Riding trains and extra flexibility on buses.

    Interpreter services

    If you are deaf and use BSL, we can work with interpreters at AA Global to help you access services across the council.

    Things that can help

    If you need practical support to help you live safely and independently, there are a range of different products that we can recommend including:

    • Smoke alarm - A flashing light and vibrating pad can alert you at night if you wouldn’t hear a normal smoke alarm.
    • Doorbell - We can provide a loud, flashing doorbell, or alerting equipment like a flashing light or vibrating pager if you care for someone who needs to call you.
    • Telephone - We can help you hear calls better with louder ringers, flashing alerts, or devices that boost call volume.
    • Television - Equipment can help you hear TV speech more clearly. Hearing aid users may need the loop setting turned on.
    • Conversation - A personal listener can make voices clearer, with adjustable volume and tone.
    Useful links

    Support for deafblind people

    If you have a dual sensory loss, or are deaflblind, please contact us as soon as possible to ask for a deafblind assessment.

    We will come and visit you and see how we can best support you.

    Phone adult social care on 01482 393939
    Useful links

    Get help with hearing or sight loss

    If you have hearing loss, sight loss, or both, our dedicated Sensory Impairment Team can help you stay independent and manage everyday life.

    You can contact us if:

    • your hearing or vision is getting worse
    • you have a new diagnosis, or are new to the East Riding
    • you’re finding daily tasks harder
    • you need equipment or support at home.

    The support we offer is based on your needs and may include:

    • assessments
    • equipment and adaptations
    • communication support
    • advice and training.

    You can contact us by either of the following methods and leaving your details:

    Call adult social care on 01482 393939
    Contact adult social care online
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    Sight Support Hull and East Yorkshire

    This charity offers a resources, befriending services and SocialEYES; a dedicated programme of leisure activities for visually impaired people.

    RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People)

    Get practical advice about living with sight loss, and reading services among others.
    Hull and District Talking Magazine

    Get specially recorded spoken news ‘magazines’ sent to you on a USB once a fortnight.
    RNIB Talking Books Service

    Get easy access to a whole library of talking books via the RNIB.
    Macular Society

    Find information and support specially tailored for people with sight loss
    My Sight York

    A local charity with activities and resources for those living in YO postcode areas.
    Hull and East Yorkshire Centre for the Deaf

    This is a vital social hub for British Sign Language (BSL) users from the East Riding, offering community events and peer support.
    Hearing Dogs for Deaf People

    This charity matches residents with hearing dogs to enhance independence and emotional wellbeing.

    National charity for hearing loss (RNID)

    This national charity supports people who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus.
    Hearing Link

    Find emotional and practical support for all aspects of living with hearing loss.
    Deafblind UK

    Get helpful advice and support covering all aspects of living with deafblindness.

    Sense

    Find information about what deafblindness is and how to ask for support

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