Assistive technologies for hearing, and speaking impaired people: a survey

Abstract

This study presents a novel method for evaluating the scientific research papers in the field of assistive technologies pertaining to different impairment conditions. The objectives are to understand the technologies used for addressing the needs of PWD by identifying relevant criteria for the assessment, explore the implications of these technologies in their lives and identify the gaps among certain technologies in assisting PWD. In this article, we reviewed around 40 research scientific papers in relation to the technologies used to assist PWD in their daily activities. A novel quantitative assessment methodology based on Multi-weighted Scoring Model (MWSM) has been developed. It is based on the judgement of clinical experts according to thirteen well-defined criteria. The proposed method is useful because it assesses the scientific studies related to PWD qualitatively according to efficient research coverage, as well as quantitatively in order to have good comparative judgment. Moreover, this method recognizes the research gap or areas which need further investigation and identifies the research papers that have good coverage of the respective criteria. Implications for Rehabilitation Human computer interface (HCI) solutions are critical for addressing the main issues facing people with disabilities (PWD) in their life. Assessment of scientific research papers according to well-defined criteria that address PWD needs would assist in verifying their suitability for PWDs. Novel quantitative assessment methodology is used for assessing these research papers using judgment of experienced researchers according to 13 well-defined criteria that have been weighted according to relevancy to different impairment groups. Identifying research papers that have good coverage of defined criteria and knowing the research area that needs further investigation by researchers and developers, would ultimately address the rehabilitation needs for PWD.

Deaf Chat: A Speech-to-Text Communication Aid for Hearing Deficiency

“…Smart hearing aid systems consist of digital hearing aids and software for mobile applications that help with providing more flexibility and performance. Smart hearing aid systems enable users to set their environments using the mobile applications of which enables their digital hearing aids to filter noise more suitably [26,27].…”

“…Assistive technologies can be used to aid people with different special needs and they have created new possibilities for people with living with limiting conditions [27]. These possibilities include help with day-to-day activities, rehabilitative services and others.…”

“…The requirements for these tools must be further studied in order to improve usability and usefulness [38]. Assistive technologies for the hearing-impaired must be designed to fit for all and more commercialised as many are only designed for research purposes [39,27,40]. Many solutions that are present are flawed as most are one-sided, they either work for a certain group of hearing deficient individuals (deaf, hard of hearing, or mute) or they work only under specifically predefined situations.…”

Utilizing sensors networks to develop a smart and context-aware solution for people with disabilities at the workplace (design and implementation)

“…For example, Hee and Overveld 58 developed a set of criteria for the evaluation of technological design. Similarly, Kbar et al 59 presented a step-by-step methodology for assessing an AT solution based on performance criteria. They identified 13 technological-based performance criteria (as shown in Table 1) to evaluate the ATs.…”

“…The qualitative and quantitative assessment based on 13 technological criteria has also been used to assess AT solutions. 59 These methods have identified the coverage of AT solution in order to satisfy the needs of the PWDs as well as identifying the gaps that needs further attention.…”