Ways VR Can Be More Accessible for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Users

[Image: https://images.pexels.com/photos/1261816/pexels-photo-1261816.jpeg]

Credit: Pexels

Virtual reality (VR) technology has opened new doors for tech companies to reach consumers. More importantly, for deaf or hard-of-hearing users, innovations in the VR industry can pave the way for improved accessibility.

Recently, Japanese tech and multimedia company Sony published a new patent that can potentially change the future of gaming, particularly for the disabled community. With plans to introduce a real-time sign language translator throughout the company's games, Sony plans to bring in a system to assist deaf or hard of hearing gamers by translating sign languages during in-game conversations.

This technology would allow players to use avatars or virtual hands to perform sign gestures in real time, enhancing communication between deaf players. In the future, including various sign languages in these translations would provide even more accessibility, helping players across different linguistic backgrounds. If successfully implemented, this can bridge communication gaps and create a more inclusive gaming experience, allowing players with hearing impairments or disabilities to communicate more seamlessly with each other.

Of course, Sony isn't the only tech giant investing in creating a more accessible future by way of virtual reality. In this article, we'll take a look at some of the ways VR technology can be more accessible for deaf and hard-of-hearing users:

Amplifying sounds

One of the best ways to use technology to help deaf or hard-of-hearing users is to allow them to amplify sounds for them. Of course, conventional hearing aids are designed specifically to do this. Emerging technologies, however, have innovated this function.

For example, hearing technology company Nuance made smart hearing glasses to help individuals with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. Using built-in open-ear speakers, the Nuance glasses aim to reduce listening fatigue and allow wearers to focus on the sounds they need to hear. While there's yet to be a specific VR headset with this function, it would be interesting to see a similarly functioning virtual reality device in the future, as being able to hear their surroundings would also create a safer VR experience.

Sign language lessons

Another fairly common use for virtual reality is education. For both deaf or hard of hearing users as well as individuals who want to learn sign language for their friends or loved ones, VR can be an ideal learning environment. For one, virtual reality can provide a more immersive and interactive learning experience.

Focused on creating and publishing ASL-focused children's media, Motion Light Lab uses motion capture technology, avatars, animation, and signing storytellers to make media even more accessible for deaf or hard-of-hearing users. As an example, "Here Comes Mavo!" is the first animated TV series involving signing characters. Making children's shows accessible to deaf or hard-of-hearing children ensures they aren't hindered from learning both ASL and English language skills.

Real-time sign language translation

Finally, a potential use of virtual learning is real-time sign language translation. As mentioned in Sony's example in our introduction, this allows users to switch between ASL and English and vice versa. In VR-based video games, this can mean being able to select the language of your characters to match your native language.

In other forms of media like film and TV, VR avatars can be used to provide sign language and increase accessibility for deaf or hard of hearing users. Even without the use of virtual avatars, VR can be used alongside augmented reality to produce a mixed-reality environment that translates sign language to text, audio, animation, or graphics.

Ultimately, continued innovations in VR technology can create a future where media, games, and educational content remain accessible for deaf or hard-of-hearing users. If you liked this post, you can check out our post on the Apple Vision Pro's advanced optics and how it enhances the tech giant's mixed reality headset.