diff --git a/code/datums/brain_damage/phobia.dm b/code/datums/brain_damage/phobia.dm
index 996021850..a75ff92f7 100644
--- a/code/datums/brain_damage/phobia.dm
+++ b/code/datums/brain_damage/phobia.dm
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@
 	..()
 	if(HAS_TRAIT(owner, TRAIT_FEARLESS))
 		return
-	if(is_blind(owner))
+	if(owner.is_blind())
 		return
 	if(world.time > next_check && world.time > next_scare)
 		next_check = world.time + 50
diff --git a/code/modules/mob/mob.dm b/code/modules/mob/mob.dm
index 113cb529c..18abbf249 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/mob.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/mob.dm
@@ -220,7 +220,7 @@ GLOBAL_VAR_INIT(mobids, 1)
 		if(!msg)
 			continue
 
-		if(visible_message_flags & EMOTE_MESSAGE)
+		if(visible_message_flags & EMOTE_MESSAGE && !M.is_blind())
 			M.create_chat_message(src, raw_message = raw_msg, runechat_flags = visible_message_flags)
 
 		M.show_message(msg, MSG_VISUAL, blind_message, MSG_AUDIBLE)
@@ -250,7 +250,7 @@ GLOBAL_VAR_INIT(mobids, 1)
 	if(audible_message_flags & EMOTE_MESSAGE)
 		message = "<b>[src]</b> [message]"
 	for(var/mob/M in hearers)
-		if(audible_message_flags & EMOTE_MESSAGE)
+		if(audible_message_flags & EMOTE_MESSAGE && M.can_hear())
 			M.create_chat_message(src, raw_message = raw_msg, runechat_flags = audible_message_flags)
 		M.show_message(message, MSG_AUDIBLE, deaf_message, MSG_VISUAL)
 
@@ -443,7 +443,7 @@ GLOBAL_VAR_INIT(mobids, 1)
 		// shift-click catcher may issue examinate() calls for out-of-sight turfs
 		return
 
-	if(is_blind(src))
+	if(is_blind())
 		to_chat(src, span_warning("Something is there but I can't see it!"))
 		return
 
diff --git a/code/modules/mob/mob_helpers.dm b/code/modules/mob/mob_helpers.dm
index 04ec45c91..a85fba03d 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/mob_helpers.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/mob_helpers.dm
@@ -689,13 +689,9 @@
 			aimheight = 1
 
 ///Checks if passed through item is blind
-/proc/is_blind(A)
-	if(ismob(A))
-		var/mob/B = A
-		if(HAS_TRAIT(B, TRAIT_BLIND))
-			return TRUE
-		return B.eye_blind
-	return FALSE
+/mob/proc/is_blind(A)
+	SHOULD_BE_PURE(TRUE)
+	return eye_blind ? TRUE : HAS_TRAIT(src, TRAIT_BLIND)
 
 ///Is the mob hallucinating?
 /mob/proc/hallucinating()
diff --git a/code/modules/paperwork/paper.dm b/code/modules/paperwork/paper.dm
index 452c221bf..714d8f26e 100644
--- a/code/modules/paperwork/paper.dm
+++ b/code/modules/paperwork/paper.dm
@@ -417,7 +417,7 @@
 	if(mailer)
 		return ..()
 
-	if(is_blind(user))
+	if(user.is_blind())
 		return ..()
 
 	if(istype(P, /obj/item/pen) || istype(P, /obj/item/natural/thorn)|| istype(P, /obj/item/natural/feather))