Child DLA do glasses count as aids?

Finch
Finch Online Community Member Posts: 1 Listener
edited February 2023 in PIP, DLA, and AA
I noticed in the guidance for Question 41 (aids and adaptions) it says 'maintain a hearing aid, keep it clean and ensure small parts are not put in their mouth'. Would this be the same for other things such as glasses?
My son is only 4 and has been wearing glasses while waiting a referral to hospital as his vision went from perfect to a very strong prescription in just 6 months. He struggles a lot with his glasses, particularly because of his other conditions, so we spend a LOT of time each day wiping them down, encouraging him to keep them on and repairing them (he also has autism and hates wearing them and tries to destroy them all the time as well as hide them). Without them he can barely see.

Also I know it says hearing aids but my son wears bone conducting headphones with a microphone loop for his hearing loss, does this count in this section? They were recommended by his audiologist while he waits for his ENT appointment (we've been waiting 18 months already and told it'll be another 6-12 at least!!!) 

Comments

  • L_Volunteer
    L_Volunteer Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 7,922 Championing
    edited January 2023

    Most of the time @Finch, glasses are seen as similar to hearing aid in the sense of being a visual aid. I hope this makes some sense.

    As an autistic person who also wears glasses, I can only empathise with your son’s sensory difficulties. I am yet to find a solution but have you tried different frames?

    Additionally, bone-conducting headphones with a microphone loop could, indeed, be listed within aids and adaptations. After all, they are designed for helping with hearing loss.

    The wait sounds really frustrating. I hope you don’t have to wait too much longer. Please feel free to let us know how this goes and if we can provide further support.

    Take care for now and we will look forward to, hopefully, hearing from you again soon  :)

  • cornishmummy
    cornishmummy Scope Member Posts: 28 Connected
    My son has autism and wears glasses , I’ve found Tomatoe glasses amazing for my son he only 4 as well . These seem indestructible although not on the NHS . May help with his sensory needs .
  • L_Volunteer
    L_Volunteer Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 7,922 Championing
    Thanks for sharing your tips and experience @cornishmummy. I am sure this will be invaluable for anyone experiencing anything similar  :)

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