Assistive technologies for severe and profound hearing loss: Beyond hearing aids and implants

ABSTRACT

Assistive technologies (ATs) offer capabilities that were previously inaccessible to individuals with severe and profound hearing loss who have no or limited access to hearing aids and implants. This literature review aims to explore existing ATs and identify what still needs to be done. It is found that there is a lack of focus on the overall objectives of ATs. In addition, several other issues are identified, i.e. only a very small number of ATs developed within a research context have led to commercial devices, and there is a predisposition to use the latest expensive technologies and a tendency to avoid designing products universally. Finally, the further development of plug-ins that translate the text content of a website to various sign languages is needed to make information on the internet more accessible.

KEYWORDS:

• assistive technologies
• design for all
• participatory design
• severe and profound hearing loss