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The use of ASR (automatic speech recognition) to convert speech to text is everywhere. It can be a very useful accessibility tool for people with hearing loss, enabling captioning on demand for live, face-to-face conversations, remote meetings, telephone conversations, media, and more.

How do ASR-generated captions, especially with the use of AI-based techniques, compare to human-generated captions? Even more fundamental is how do we measure caption performance? These and other topics are open for discussion in the ASR and Speech-to-Text group. 

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Ensuring communication access means every person is able to communicate and be communicated with fully and equally. Wherever communication is taking place, all parties must be able to participate--no matter what accommodation is needed to make that happen. 

What constitutes an accessible communication experience? What does it mean to ensure that communication access is provided? These and other related topics are open for discussion in the Communication Access group.

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The goal of this group is to raise awareness and understanding of the importance of accessibility in DEIA initiatives in all types of settings, whether in the workplace, classroom, or the community. Environments that value DEIA and provide the necessary support and access for individuals with hearing loss or who are Deaf benefit everyone. 

Creating accessible environments, developing inclusive, equitable communication strategies, and understanding legal requirements and best practices for accommodations are some important DEIA areas that need addressing. These and other related topics can be explored in the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility group. 

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Attention to both acoustics and lighting in an environment can significantly improve effective communication. Excessive noise and reverberation in our environment can be unpleasant and interfere with speech and other things we want to hear. Hearing in a noisy, reverberant sound environment can be hindered further or helped by lighting in a space. Good lighting of the person speaking can help someone speechread.

In the Environments group, topics include various issues like noise management, the importance of proper lighting, and even the role of environmental design in creating accessible spaces.

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) established over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids as a regulatory category of hearing devices in October 2022. OTC hearing aids are for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss and can be purchased without having to consult a hearing health professional. 

What technologies are being incorporated into OTC hearing aids? How easy are OTC hearing aids to set up and adjust without professional assistance? These and other topics are open for discussion here in the OTC Hearing Aids group.

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Consumers have more choices than ever before in personal hearing devices like hearing aids, cochlear implants, and bone anchored hearing devices. However there are a range of issues that consumers should consider in device selection and use, including battery life, sound quality, compatibility with other devices, and rapidly advancing technology. 

The Personal Hearing Devices group explores the different kinds of devices available, what’s on the horizon both in terms of technology and regulations, a wish list of what you’d like to see in new and developing technology for personal hearing devices, and other relevant points for discussion. 

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Teleaudiology delivers audiology services remotely, using reliable internet and specialized videoconferencing platforms to provide convenient, easy access to hearing health care. Most major hearing device manufacturers offer some form of remote care, from consultation to programming adjustments. 

In the Teleaudiology group, we discuss experiences with teleaudiology. How user-friendly are teleaudiology platforms? Is teleaudiology improving access to hearing health care in rural areas? 

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Virtual communication through digital platforms, rather than face-to-face interactions, has changed the landscape of communication access. Everyone should be able to communicate and be communicated with fully and equally in order to benefit from these digital interactions. 

Now that telehealth, online school, and virtual workplaces are common, the Virtual Communication Access group explores what constitutes an accessible communication experience in virtual contexts. And, what makes or breaks access to that communication? 

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When hearing devices struggle in noisy, reverberant, or distant environments, a direct wireless connection between the hearing device and the sound source can help. A direct connection bypasses environmental factors, improving sound quality, speech understanding, and listening comfort. 

How can I be sure my hearing devices work with technologies that use wireless audio connectivity, such as smartphones and assistive listening devices? How user friendly are these technologies? The Wireless Audio Connectivity group explores Bluetooth Auracast, hearing loops, remote microphones, telecoils, and other technologies, as well as their availability, use, and quality. 

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