Hearing Loss and technology

Tools to assist with access to a PC for people with a hearing loss

People who are deaf or hard-of-hearing can configure Windows to use visual cues in place of sounds, or increase the volume level of program and system sounds. This article discusses the accessibility tools that are available for deaf or hard-of-hearing users, and also describes how to use standard Windows XP features to assist these users.

The accessibility tools that are included with Windows are intended to provide a minimum level of functionality for users with disabilities. Most users with disabilities need utility programs with more advanced functionality for daily use. For information about accessibility products and aids for Windows operating systems, refer to the Microsoft Web site, and then search for the word, "accessibility":

1.	Click Start.
2.	Click Control Panel.
3.	Click Accessibility Options.
4.	Click the Sound tab. • SoundSentry is designed for people who have difficulty hearing system sounds that are generated by the computer. With SoundSentry, you can change settings to generate visual warnings, such as a blinking title bar or a flashing border, whenever the computer generates a sound. To turn on SoundSentry, select the Use SoundSentry check box, and then select the visual warning you prefer from the drop-down list. • ShowSounds instructs programs that convey information by sound to also provide information visually, such as through text captions or informative icons. To turn on ShowSounds, select the Use ShowSounds check box.

To Use Windows XP Sounds Features
You can configure the standard Windows XP sounds features to assist deaf or hard-of-hearing users. These features are available in the Sounds and Audio Devices program in Control Panel.

To open Sounds and Audio Devices:

1.	Click Start.
2.	Click Control Panel.
3.	Click Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices.
4.	Click Sounds and Audio Devices. • To give users a quick way to control the volume of sounds, display the volume control icon in the notification area. To do so, on the Volume tab, under Device volume, select the Place volume icon in the taskbar notification area check box. • To make sure that users get the full effect of system sounds, create a sound scheme that uses sounds in the appropriate frequency. To do so, on the Sounds tab, in the Program events list, assign a sound for each event. Under Sound scheme, click Save As. In the Save Scheme As dialog box, type a name for the new sound scheme. The new scheme can be selected from the Sound scheme box.

Videos of Access Technology to assist people with a hearing loss

iCommunicator

Communicating Technology

Text Telephone (TTY)

A TTY is a device that enables people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-disabled to use the telephone by typing messages back and forth to one another instead of talking back and forth. In order to communicate, a TTY is required at both ends of the conversation, unless the call is placed through a Typetalk Relay Service, like the one offered by the RNID.

TTYs are traditionally used in one of two ways: either by placing a telephone handset in to the TTY's acoustic couplers or by directly connecting the TTY to an analog telephone line. Both methods have advantages. In noisy environments, Direct Connect eliminates distracting outside noises and allows the TTY to notify you of incoming calls (with a ring flasher or indication on the text display). It also allows for auto-answer and keyboard dialing capabilities. Acoustic use is convenient when an extra telephone jack is not handy or in environments that do not support an analog phone connection. TTY [teletypewriter], TDD [telecommunication device for the deaf], and text telephone all refer to the same device. (Source: Ultratec)

RNID Typetalk provides a link between the textphone user and the hearing person through a trained RNID Typetalk Operator who relays the conversation. The textphone user will type their part of the conversation and the operator will read exactly what is typed to the hearing person. The hearing person replies and the operator types exactly what is said so the textphone user can read the response on their textphone display panel. This is a service, where a person receives a teletyped message and then relays it verbally to the intended recipient. (Source: RNID)

Video relay Service

A Video Relay Service (VRS) is a telecommunication service that allows deaf, hard of hearing and speech impaired individuals to communicate over the phone with hearing people in real-time, using a sign language interpreter (Source: Wikipedia).


How it works (Source: Wikipedia)

1. An individual who communicates by sign language, uses a videophone or other video device, such as a webcam, to connect via broadband Internet to a Video Relay Service.
2. The caller is routed to a sign language interpreter, known as a Video Interpreter (VI). The VI is in front of a camera or videophone.
3. The video user gives the VI a voice number to dial, as well as any special dialing instructions.
4. The VI places the call and interprets as a neutral, non-participating third party. Anything that the audio user says is signed to the video user, and anything signed by the video user is spoken to the audio user.
5. Once the call is over, the caller can make another call(s) or hang up with the interpreter.

Resources and Suppliers of Hearing AT

• AZhearing.com. US specialist is Hearing related assistive technology. This is a very useful FAQ about hearing AT: http://www.azhearing.com/ald-primer.htm