Search Results (87)

This paper offers an overview of a large study of language and cognitive development in deaf and hard of hearing children. Specifically, we investigated how acquiring a signed or spoken language (language modality) and when a child’s access to language begins (i.e., at birth or later in development) influence cognitive development. We conducted in-person behavioral assessments with 404 children 3–10 years old (280 deaf and hard of hearing; 124 typically hearing). The tasks measured a range of abilities along a continuum of how strongly they depend on language input, such as general vocabulary and number words (strongly dependent) vs. skills such as tracking sets of two to three objects and standardized ‘nonverbal’ picture-similarity tasks (relatively independent of language). Overall, the timing of children’s access to language predicted more variability in their performance than language modality. These findings help refine our theories about how language influences development and suggest how a STEAM pedagogical approach may ameliorate the impacts of later access to language. These results underscore children’s need for language early in development. That is, deaf and hard of hearing children must receive fully accessible language input as early as possible through sign language, accompanied by hearing technology aimed at improving access to spoken language, if desired. Full article

Fundus autofluorescence (FAF) is a non-invasive retinal imaging technique that helps visualize naturally occurring fluorophores, such as lipofuscin, and provides valuable insight into retinal diseases—particularly inherited retinal diseases (IRDs). FAF is especially useful in detecting subclinical or early-stage IRDs and in monitoring disease progression over time. In Stargardt disease, areas of decreased autofluorescence correlate with disease progression and have been proposed as a biomarker for future clinical trials. FAF can also help differentiate Stargardt disease from other macular dystrophies. In retinitis pigmentosa, hyperautofluorescent rings are a common feature on FAF and serve as an important marker for disease monitoring, especially as changes align with those seen on other imaging modalities. FAF is valuable in tracking progression of choroideremia and may help identify disease carrier status. FAF has also improved the characterization of mitochondrial retinopathies such as maternally inherited diabetes and deafness. As a rapid and widely accessible imaging modality, FAF plays a critical role in both diagnosis and longitudinal care of patients with IRDs. Full article

Deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) children are often reported to show deficits on working memory (WM) tasks. These deficits are often characterized as contributing to their struggles to acquire spoken language. Here we report a longitudinal study of a large (N = 103) sample of DHH children who acquired American Sign Language (ASL) as their first language. Using an n-back working memory task, we show significant growth in WM performance across the 7–13-year-old age range. Furthermore, we show that children with early access to ASL from their DHH parents demonstrate faster WM growth and that this group difference is mediated by ASL receptive skills. The data suggest the important role of early access to perceivable natural language in promoting typical WM growth during the middle school years. We conclude that the acquisition of a natural visual–gestural language is sufficient to support the development of WM in DHH children. Further research is required to determine how the timing and quality of ASL exposure may play a role, or whether the effects are driven by acquisition-related corollaries, such as parent–child interactions and maternal stress. Full article

The visual nature of Sign Language datasets raises privacy concerns that hinder data sharing, which is essential for advancing deep learning (DL) models in Sign Language recognition and translation. This study evaluated two anonymization techniques, realistic avatar synthesis and face swapping (FS), designed to anonymize the identities of signers, while preserving the semantic integrity of signed content. A novel metric, Identity Anonymization with Expressivity Preservation (IAEP), is introduced to assess the balance between effective anonymization and the preservation of facial expressivity crucial for Sign Language communication. In addition, the quality evaluation included the LPIPS and FID metrics, which measure perceptual similarity and visual quality. A survey with deaf participants further complemented the analysis, providing valuable insight into the practical usability and comprehension of anonymized videos. The results show that while face swapping achieved acceptable anonymization and preserved semantic clarity, avatar-based anonymization struggled with comprehension. These findings highlight the need for further research efforts on securing privacy while preserving Sign Language understandability, both for dataset accessibility and the anonymous participation of deaf people in digital content. Full article

Communication barriers between deaf and hearing individuals present significant challenges to social inclusion, highlighting the need for effective technological aids. This study aimed to bridge this gap by developing a mobile system for the real-time translation of Portuguese Sign Language (LGP) alphabet gestures into text, addressing a specific technological void for LGP. The core of the solution is a mobile application integrating two distinct machine learning approaches trained on a custom LGP dataset: firstly, a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) optimized with TensorFlow Lite for efficient, on-device image classification, enabling offline use; secondly, a method utilizing MediaPipe for hand landmark extraction from the camera feed, with classification performed by a server-side Multilayer Perceptron (MLP). Evaluation tests confirmed that both approaches could recognize LGP alphabet gestures with good accuracy (F1-scores of approximately 76% for the CNN and 77% for the MediaPipe+MLP) and processing speed (1 to 2 s per gesture on high-end devices using the CNN and 3 to 5 s under typical network conditions using MediaPipe+MLP), facilitating efficient real-time translation, though performance trade-offs regarding speed versus accuracy under different conditions were observed. The implementation of this dual-method system provides crucial flexibility, adapting to varying network conditions and device capabilities, and offers a scalable foundation for future expansion to include more complex gestures. This work delivers a practical tool that may contribute to improve communication accessibility and the societal integration of the deaf community in Portugal. Full article

Since the inception of cochlear implantation, the field of technological advancements associated with cochlear implantation has continued to evolve, providing patients with sensorineural hearing loss access with greater sound appreciation capabilities. These advances include evolving cochlear implantation criteria, including increased residual hearing and single-sided deafness; changes in electrode design; options for hearing preservation; and advancements in connectivity, to name a few. This article reviews the various aspects of the recent advancements in relation to cochlear implantation. Full article

Accessible housing plays a vital role in promoting independent living and quality of life for people with disabilities. However, the existing design standards often fail to address the specific needs of diverse disability groups. This study aims to establish architectural and habitability criteria for housing adapted to various disabilities, including wheelchair users, individuals with achondroplasia (little people), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Down syndrome, individuals with visual and hearing impairments, and older adults, by integrating international frameworks and prior research. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to prioritize key factors in the housing design. The factors analyzed included autonomy, independence, safety, comfort, communication, and mobility. Findings reveal that autonomy consistently emerged as the most relevant criterion across groups, particularly for older adults (61.8%), wheelchair users (83%) and little people (64%). Secondary priorities varied: mobility was emphasized by wheelchair users (77%), communication by visually impaired individuals (64%), and comfort by deaf and hard of hearing participants (43%). The results underscore the need for housing solutions that reflect the priorities of each disability group. This study contributes by validating user-centered design criteria and offering a framework to guide inclusive housing policies and practices. By highlighting needs, it bridges the gap between generic accessibility standards and design. These findings support policy development and enrich the literature by incorporating unique resident-centered perspectives and overlooked indicators of housing accessibility and inclusive residential design. Full article

Purpose: Physical activity (PA) is vital for everyone’s health and wellbeing; however, there is, a paucity of research amongst culturally deaf adults. Especially, to understand the needs of deaf adults and how to get them involved in shaping interventions that would help deaf people to be physically active. The current study aimed to explore barriers and facilitators for engaging in PA amongst deaf adults. Method: Focus groups involving nine culturally deaf adults communicating using British sign language were conducted and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Findings: Barriers including physical barriers, lack of deaf spaces and deaf awareness, and a lack of personal motivations were identified. Enablers included group/social support, deaf-led activities and health and wellbeing awareness. The findings highlighted a strong deaf identity. Conclusions: Deaf adults face barriers due to spaces being made for hearing people, leading to feelings of social exclusion and a lack of spaces to engage in activity and socialise, despite being personally and socially motivated to engage in PA. Deaf identity should be considered when promoting PA to deaf adults. The current paper highlights research and practice implications regarding how to engage and work with deaf people to develop appropriate interventions. Full article

The use of hearing technology is one of the most effective strategies for providing access to spoken language and the auditory environment for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. In recent years, rapid advancements in hearing technologies have significantly improved access to spoken languages for learners of all ages. As part of the Special Issue “Educating Deaf Students in the 21st Century: A Changed and Changing Context”, this article describes how changes in hearing technology are related to changes in where and how students who are deaf or hard of hearing are educated. This article is designed to provide a foundation of knowledge about today’s hearing technologies for families, educators, and professionals such as speech–language pathologists or early childhood educators who support families and students. It provides an overview of hearing technology options, how they are prescribed and fit, and how benefits for language and literacy development can be evaluated. Barriers to effective use and future directions for hearing technologies are also described. The section “Highlights for Educators and Families” in the article discusses the practical application of this information to the work of those supporting students who are deaf or hard of hearing at home, at school, and in the community. Full article

Science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) education represents an array of fields that have significant promise for the future careers of students. However, in deaf education, little research has been conducted to understand how best to provide access to STEAM learning opportunities for deaf students. This manuscript explores STEAM learning and Deaf Education through the lens of translanguaging. Translanguaging is the use of multiple linguistic resources by multilingual individuals. The authors recorded deaf teens attending a STEAM camp as they engaged in a collaborative problem-solving activity to explore the language resources they used to make sense of and communicate their understanding of the problem during various stages of the activity (gathering information, generating ideas, and evaluating ideas). We viewed their interactions through a translanguaging lens. We found that the campers used an array of both language-based (ASL, spoken English, gesture, and fingerspelling) and tool-based (writing on a whiteboard, engaging with informational papers, using computers or phones) translanguaging activities to gather information and communicate with one another. While selection of language resources did not differ by activity stage, they did differ by group, suggesting that campers were sensitive to the communication needs of their group mates. Full article

The number of individuals with disabilities around the world and in Poland is constantly increasing. Social inclusion, anti-discrimination, and social integration are among the Sustainable Development Goals, which include inclusive tourism. Fostering inclusion in the tourism industry contributes to improving quality of life in marginalised communities, community involvement in tourism development planning, and ethical activities related to the production and consumption of tourism services. Making attractions accessible to people with disabilities also contributes to enriching the tourist offerings of a region. The aim of this study is to assess the accessibility of tourist attractions in the Świętokrzyskie region, located in central Poland. The natural, cultural, and historical attractions there create potential for the development of various forms of tourism. The accessibility of 20 major tourist attractions for people with mobility, sight, and hearing impairments was examined. The results indicate a varying level of adaptation of facilities to the needs of the surveyed groups. Recreation and entertainment facilities are the best adapted, while sacred and historical facilities are the least adjusted. The majority of adaptations were directed towards individuals with mobility impairments, with blind and partially sighted people as well as deaf and partially hearing people often being overlooked. The identified barriers to adaptation included the excessive cost of adaptation and the limitations of the historic nature of the building. The inadequate preparation of attraction staff to support disabled individuals was also highlighted, as well as the importance of modern technology in creating accessibility and the need to promote inclusion among attraction managers and in regional policy. The article also includes an analysis of the local government’s measures aimed at social inclusion. Full article

Background/Objectives: Hearing loss (HL) is a prevalent condition that can lead to social exclusion. This review explores the epidemiological, cultural, and social dimensions of HL and examines the barriers to accessibility that individuals with HL encounter. Methods: This research employs a narrative review approach to provide a comprehensive overview of HL, focusing on stigma, gender disparities, cultural and social differences, and accessibility challenges. Results: The review highlights pervasive prejudices surrounding HL and hearing devices. Gender disparities are evident, with Deaf women facing compounded challenges. Cultural perspectives on HL differ widely, ranging from the medical model, which emphasizes treatment using hearing devices, to the Deaf community’s social model, which views deafness as a cultural identity. Socioeconomic disparities further restrict access to modern technologies, particularly in low-income settings, while intersectional discrimination affects marginalized groups within the Deaf community. Public spaces also present significant barriers related to communication, architecture, and technology, which hinder accessibility for individuals with HL. Conclusions: A cultural shift is essential to dismantle societal stereotypes and reduce discrimination associated with HL. Moreover, improving accessibility for individuals with HL necessitates a multifaceted approach, including accessible design, staff training, and the integration of assistive technologies. Full article

Background: Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) is essential for minimising the negative impact of childhood hearing loss on speech, language, and cognitive development. However, in low- and middle-income countries such as South Africa, various challenges hinder the implementation of EHDI services, leading to delayed diagnosis and intervention. Aim: This study explores caregivers’ experiences with EHDI services, identifying key challenges and facilitators affecting access and timely intervention. Methods: A narrative inquiry approach was used as part of a broader research initiative on family-centred EHDI. Nine caregivers of children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) were purposively sampled, and data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Results: Thematic analysis revealed systemic and structural challenges, logistical and financial constraints, and caregiver-related factors that hindered access to EHDI services. Key facilitators included caregiver knowledge and advocacy, family support services such as counselling and South African Sign Language training, and high-quality audiological and educational services. Conclusions: Findings emphasise the need for policy-driven reforms, including expanding newborn hearing screening programmes, improving financial assistance mechanisms, and increasing public awareness. Addressing these challenges and leveraging facilitators can help South Africa align with global EHDI benchmarks and improve outcomes for DHH children. Full article

Background: Cochlear implants (CIs) have become a widely used intervention for Deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) children, particularly for developing spoken language. However, parental decision-making regarding CIs is influenced by a range of factors, including socio-economic status, healthcare accessibility, cultural beliefs, and societal attitudes. While extensive research on parental perceptions of CIs exists in high-income countries (HICs), there is limited research on these perspectives in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), like South Africa, where disparities in healthcare access significantly impact CI uptake. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the views and perceptions of South African parents regarding CIs for their DHH children, with a specific focus on how financial, cultural, and informational barriers influence decision-making. Methods: A mixed-methods approach was used, combining Q-methodology for quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative insights. Nine parents of DHH children participated. The Q-set survey ranked parental attitudes toward CI risks, benefits, and accessibility, while semi-structured interviews provided deeper insights into decision-making processes. Factor analysis grouped participants into clusters based on their perceptions, and qualitative data were analysed using a thematic framework approach. Results: Findings revealed two distinct parental clusters: (a) Cluster 1 parents viewed CIs as essential for speech development and strongly supported implantation, and (b) Cluster 2 parents recognized CI benefits but emphasized that outcomes vary based on individual circumstances. Three overarching themes emerged from thematic analysis: (1) financial barriers restricting CI access, (2) parental reliance on medical professionals for decision-making, and (3) persistent stigma and cultural beliefs influencing CI perceptions. Conclusions: This study highlights critical barriers to CI access in South Africa, including socio-economic inequities, limited healthcare infrastructure, and persistent stigma. While parents largely recognized the benefits of CIs, their decisions were shaped by financial constraints and concerns about Deaf identity and societal acceptance. This study calls for the expansion of publicly funded CI programmes, the development of culturally tailored parental counselling protocols, and targeted public awareness campaigns to reduce stigma surrounding hearing restoration devices. These interventions can help mitigate financial and cultural barriers to CI adoption in South Africa. Full article

Communication barriers pose significant challenges for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (DHH) community, limiting their access to essential services, social interactions, and professional opportunities. To bridge this gap, assistive technologies leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning have gained prominence. This study presents a real-time American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation system that integrates deep learning with keypoint tracking to enhance accessibility and foster inclusivity. By combining the YOLOv11 model for gesture recognition with MediaPipe for precise hand tracking, the system achieves high accuracy in identifying ASL alphabet letters in real time. The proposed approach addresses challenges such as gesture ambiguity, environmental variations, and computational efficiency. Additionally, this system enables users to spell out names and locations, further improving its practical applications. Experimental results demonstrate that the model attains a mean Average Precision (mAP@0.5) of 98.2%, with an inference speed optimized for real-world deployment. This research underscores the critical role of AI-driven assistive technologies in empowering the DHH community by enabling seamless communication and interaction. Full article