Navigating a medical appointment can be challenging for anyone. But when you live with both vision and hearing loss, the barriers to clear communication and effective care grow significantly.

You may find that doctors, nurses, and other health care providers don’t always recognize the full scope of your sensory needs—or the accommodations you might require. This can lead to misunderstandings, delayed diagnoses, or sub-optimal care.

Read on for practical guidance on preparing, advocating for yourself, and where to turn for resources. The goal: to empower anyone with dual sensory loss to speak with confidence, be heard, and have more accessible, successful health care experiences.

Why dual sensory loss matters in the doctor’s office

When someone has vision loss, hearing loss—or both—the typical routines of a medical appointment can become complicated. A person may struggle to read printed forms, find their way through clinic corridors, hear the doctor’s explanations, or understand printed discharge instructions. Research shows that patients with hearing impairment are at higher risk of communication failures and adverse events. At the same time, guidance for interacting with patients with vision loss emphasizes the importance of explaining what will happen, speaking directly to the patient (not only to caregivers), and providing accessible formats.

When both hearing and vision loss are present, the cumulative effect can be much greater—communication becomes harder, and the risk of being “lost in the system” increases. You may leave an appointment unsure of what was said, unclear about follow-up steps, or unaware whether your questions were fully answered.

Before the appointment: Preparation is key

Here are steps you can take ahead of time to set the stage for a successful visit:

1. List your sensory needs—Before you go, think clearly about what works best for you. Do you prefer printed materials in large print or Braille? Do you rely on captioning, an assistive listening device, or a sign-language interpreter? Make a short, bullet-point note of your accessibility needs and bring it with you (or send it to the clinic ahead of time).
2. Share both your vision and hearing status—When scheduling or checking in, tell the staff: “I have both vision loss and hearing loss, and here are the communication methods I prefer.” This helps ensure that the clinic flags your chart appropriately and arranges accommodations. For example, the AFB “Best Practices Guide for Hospitals” emphasizes that health care providers should identify the patient’s preferred communication method and not assume one size fits all.
3. Bring a support person or advocate, if helpful—Having a friend, family member, or trained advocate accompany you can help with notetaking, clarifying instructions, and prompting when things go off track. You might designate someone to ask questions while you focus on listening/seeing (as best you are able) and understanding.
4. Prepare your questions and records—Write down the top 2-3 things you want to ask. For example: “What changes should I expect in my vision/hearing in the next year?” “How will our communication work when you explain test results?” Keep all your relevant medical reports in an accessible format (print large-type, audio, Braille, whichever you use). Come ready to tell the doctor about your hearing and vision aids/devices and whether you use them in medical settings.

During the appointment: Advocating and communicating

Here are strategies to use in the moment to help make your visit as productive as possible.

Speak clearly About your sensory access needs

At the start of the visit, consider saying something like:

“I have both vision loss and hearing loss. I need [preferred format or device], and I use [assistive device]. Could you please [state request: face me and speak clearly/provide printed key points/repeat important items verbally and in writing]?”

Don’t assume the provider will know what to do—many do not have training in dual sensory loss. The AFB guide notes that health care staff appreciate when providers “identify themselves, explain what they are going to be doing, and give clear directions.”

Ask for accommodations under the law

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and related regulations require healt hcare providers to offer reasonable accommodations—whether that’s signage, assistive-listening devices, captioning, large-print documents, or an interpreter. For hearing loss, the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) offers patient and provider resources and notes you’re entitled to request the method that works for you (e.g., captioning, clear-mask, interpreter. Similarly, for vision loss, facilities must ensure equal access to printed materials and communications. Use the toolkit referenced below to know your rights.

Use strategies that support dual loss

After the visit: Follow-up and ongoing management

Once you leave the appointment, you still have opportunities to reinforce your voice and ensure follow-through:

Key resource to share

A standout resource for individuals with vision (and dual sensory) loss is the Best Practices Guide for Hospitals Interacting with People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired, published by the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB). This toolkit offers accessible handouts, online training modules, and research-informed practices for health care providers.

For patients, this means you can reference the link when you talk with your clinic or hospital—helping them align with best practices, making your request for accommodations more concrete. Share the link/URL with your provider or the patient-relations department.

Additional resources worth bookmarking

The bottom line

If you have both vision and hearing loss, your health care experience deserves the same clarity, dignity, and respect as anyone’s. That means going into your appointment prepared, clearly communicating your needs, using the tools and accommodations you require, and following up after the visit to ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

Remember: your sensory needs are not an afterthought—they are central to how you receive, understand, and act on medical care. Use the suggested strategies, tap the key resources (especially the AFB guide), and become your own strongest advocate.

You deserve health care that hears you, sees you, understands you—and helps you live your best life as you age.