Auditory (hearing) disabilities affect how a person perceives sound.
This may include:
Some people communicate primarily through sign language. Others use hearing aids or cochlear implants. Some rely entirely on visual information.
Experiences vary widely, and not all hearing disabilities are visible.
Digital barriers appear when information is provided only through sound.
Examples include:
When audio content is not supported by text or visual alternatives, people are excluded.
Barriers related to auditory disabilities are often straightforward to remove.
Effective solutions include:
Captions should include meaningful non-speech sounds when relevant (e.g., music, laughter, important sound cues).
People with auditory disabilities may use:
Not everyone uses the same strategy. Accessibility should not assume one preferred method.
When designing for auditory accessibility:
Accessible design ensures information is available in more than one sensory format.
Avoid:
These patterns create unnecessary barriers.
Auditory accessibility is about ensuring that information is not locked behind sound. When audio content is supported by clear visual or text alternatives, digital services become more inclusive — and more usable for everyone.