Resources

A plain-language overview of hearing aid styles, how they work, and how to choose one, from the federal research institute. A strong general consumer education anchor. Learn more here .

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) is the primary federal authority on hearing. This page explains what OTC hearing aids are, who they are intended for, and how they differ from prescription devices. Given how much of ICAAT's news covers OTC devices, this is a foundational reference. Learn more here .

The National Association of the Deaf's (NAD) position statement on making emergency management accessible to deaf and hard of hearing people. Their website outlines best practices for accessible alerting, communication during emergencies, and preparedness training, and notes the federal laws that require emergency services to be accessible. It is a useful reference for individuals as well as…

The National Weather Service's guidance on receiving weather warnings without relying on sound. It explains weather-alert radios that pair with bed shakers, strobe lights, and text displays so that alerts can reach people who are deaf or hard of hearing, including at night, and includes an explainer in American Sign Language and English. Learn more here .

The federal government's emergency-preparedness resource for people with disabilities, maintained through Ready.gov. It covers building a personal preparedness plan, receiving accessible emergency alerts, and maintaining communication access during an emergency, with guidance relevant to people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Learn more here .

The FCC's consumer information on Text-to-911, which lets people send a text message to reach 911 in areas where the service is available. This matters for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, for whom a voice call to 911 may not be accessible. The page explains where the service is available, how to use it, and its current limitations. Learn more here .

The Federal Communications Commission's consumer guide to Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), the short messages sent to mobile phones during emergencies such as severe weather, evacuation orders, and AMBER Alerts. The page explains what types of alerts phones can receive, how the alerts work, and how to check or adjust alert settings on a device. Learn more here .

The ADA National Network, in cooperation with the U.S. Access Board, hosted a webinar on accessible parking as part of its Accessibility Online webinar series. The recording and presentation materials are available in the series archive. The session covered the minimum design requirements for accessible parking and potential solutions to better meet current demand. Presenters proposed improvements…

A consumer guide covering practical, no-cost options for improving TV audio clarity. The article walks through built-in TV settings that can help, including sound modes designed to enhance dialogue (often labeled Clear Voice, Speech Mode, or Speech Boost), dialog enhancer features, equalizer adjustments, and automatic volume control to reduce the gap between loud and quiet moments. The piece also…

Consumers navigating hearing technology decisions regularly encounter research claims, from company product announcements to news headlines to social media posts. Understanding how to evaluate those claims is a practical skill. This guide from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health explains how to read a research study as a non-scientist. It covers how to access a paper, what the…