Vision and Hearing

At any age, clear and healthy vision and hearing is vital for maintaining mobility and balance, as well as navigating obstacles and reducing the risk of falls.

It's important to be aware of potential changes in our vision and take proactive steps to address them.

Understanding Age-Related Changes in Vision

As we grow older, we may not always notice gradual changes in our vision. However, ageing can affect our ability to adapt to different lighting conditions, distinguish colours, and accurately perceive depth and distance. These changes can pose challenges, especially for individuals who wear bifocals or varifocals. If you wear these types of lenses, take extra care when navigating steps, stairs, or uneven surfaces. See your Optician for advice on the most appropriate glasses for you. 

The Importance of Regular Eye Tests

With advancing age, certain eye conditions become more prevalent, including cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. It's essential to recognise that many of these visual problems are correctable.

Regular eye examinations are essential for maintaining good vision and preventing falls. These tests not only assess your vision but also help detect and manage eye conditions early. Be aware of the following:

• Eye tests are free for individuals aged 60 or over.
• If you have difficulty going out, many opticians offer home visits where needed.

Support Your Hearing

• If you're struggling to hear clearly, book a hearing test or speak to your GP.
• Poor hearing can affect balance, increase confusion, and make it harder to notice hazards.
• If you use a hearing aid, make sure it's clean, working properly, and worn during the day.
• Don’t ignore signs like ringing, muffled sounds, or difficulty following conversations — help is available.

Find Support

Please find below useful links, relevant resources and contact information. All links open in a new window and may include links to websites, videos, and PDF files for downloading and printing. 

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Local Support 

South Tees Falls Team
If you require general falls prevention advice and support or don't know where to start, please contact the Falls Team at Low Grange Health Centre, Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays, between the hours of 8.30am and 4.30pm.
01642 944484 / ste-tr.fallsteam@nhs.net

Age UK Teesside
Age UK Teesside has a wide range of services to help over 50s in Middlesbrough and Redcar & Cleveland to achieve the best out of their lives, their finances, social life and health & wellbeing
01642 805500 / info@ageukteesside.org.uk

Middlesbrough Assistive Technology
Assistive technology means devices or systems that can help you do everyday things that might be hard or impossible otherwise. It can help with a range of difficulties, including memory and movement problems. It can also be called 'technology-enabled care' (TEC).
01642 726009 / telecare@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Sensory Support
The Sensory Support Service offers advice and support to Middlesbrough residents who are D/deaf or have hearing loss, are blind, partially sighted, or have sight loss, are deaf, blind or have dual sensory loss. 
01642 065070 / adultaccessteam@middlesbrough.gov.uk

For a full list of organisations in your local area that can support you, help you to stay active, and improve your home safety, please visit our help and contacts section.

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Helpful Links 

Loss of vision - NHS
Eye health advice - Age UK
Eye health and sight loss advice - RNIB
Having an eye examination at home - RNIB
Navigating sight loss - RNIB
Free Online hearing test - RNID
Hearing loss guidance - Age UK
Smart technology for the home - RNIB 

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More on this website

Visit our Information and Advice section
Visit our Staying Active section
Visit our Home Safety section
Visit our Help and Contacts section 
Start your online Self-Assessment

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