Symptom 3: Vision and Hearing Loss – The Silent Indicators
Vision and hearing loss are both common and insidious symptoms of Tay-Sachs disease. These symptoms typically begin subtly, with the child showing an inability to track movement with their eyes or respond to sounds. A toy waving in front of them might not catch their attention, or they may not respond to their name being called or to the sound of a familiar voice.
As Tay-Sachs disease progresses, these issues can escalate to a complete loss of sight and hearing. The child might struggle with recognizing familiar faces or objects, and may not react at all to sounds, even loud ones. This sensory loss further complicates the already difficult life that those with Tay-Sachs disease have to face.
Losing one’s sight and hearing can feel like being locked away from the world. It affects the child’s ability to communicate, to learn, and to engage with their surroundings. It’s crucial for families and medical professionals to recognize this symptom early on so they can provide the appropriate support and resources to help the child and the family cope with this life-altering symptom.
Vision and hearing loss are irreversible and have no known cure. However, early intervention and therapy can help the child make the best use of their remaining senses, provide them with a way to communicate, and improve their overall quality of life. (3)
