Patients with hearing loss depend more on their vision on their communication and vice versa. ENT physician faces difficult situation when he or she consults a patient complaining of hearing loss with a problem of vision. The prevalence of ophthalmic abnormalities in deaf population is also higher compared to their hearing peers. This paper is to summarize the common syndromes associated with visual defect according to the site of affection in the eye.
Study design: Review article. Syndromes which result in deaf blind person are different among adults compared to among children. Rubella syndrome and Down syndrome are the main causes of deaf blind people above 18 years of age. While in children, CHARGE syndrome is the main cause of deaf blind children. ENT physician should be aware of these syndromes for earlier detection of deaf blind persons. Deaf blind people need a great deal of help. Communication and education are crucial for them and need to be properly supported.