Can a Blind Diabetic Easily Use an Audible Glucose Meter?
01.19.2012
There are many different types of glucose testing meters available including some that are marketed for the blind diabetic market. One of the hardest things for a newly blind diabetic to comprehend is how they will continue to use their visual display blood sugar testing meter when they are unable to still see it. So a blind diabetic really can use a talking glucose meter so they can hear the test results of their blood sugar levels.
For a blind diabetic to easily use an audible testing meter would depend on how accustomed they become to using it. Certainly the newly blind diabetic will know how the unit functions so what a blind diabetic will have to get used to is using the meter with one hand and getting the blood to the test strip.
With the smaller talking glucose testing meters they are also lighter so they can be managed using one hand. It just will take lots of practice and determination to get it right. The test strips are small, about 1/3 inch across and the blood has to go to the top of the testing strip. Sometimes it may be easier for the blind diabetic to set the glucose testing meter on its side then bring the finger toward the testing strip.
Of course there are other aspects of the talking glucose meter that the blind diabetic will have to get used to such as listening to a voice and understanding it. There is still a button or even several buttons depending on the model of glucose testing meter that is purchased. Also some of the audible meters require coding which does not come with audible instructions so the meter will have to be coded by someone else. But overall a talking glucose testing meter can easily be used.
