Usher syndrome is a disease that causes both hearing loss and an eye disorder called retinitis pigmentosa (RP). In RP, the retina at the back of the eye gradually deteriorates and leads to loss of peripheral vision and night vision. The field of vision narrows until you can only see straight ahead. Because of the problems with both hearing and sight, many people who suffer from Usher Syndrome have trouble with balance as well.

Usher syndrome is a genetic condition that is usually detected in early childhood. There are three types: Type 1 babies are born with little or no hearing and develop vision problems by age 10; Type 2 babies are born with moderate hearing loss and vision problems develop slowly starting in the teen years; and Type 3 babies are born with almost normal hearing and don’t develop any problems until their teens.