Skip to content
tally learning

Introduction to Auditory and Communication Disabilities

6 minute read

Last updated:

Summary

Section titled “Summary”

People with auditory and communication disabilities have access needs related to hearing, understanding, and expressing information, particularly through sound. These needs affect how they work and communicate with others at home, at school, at work, online, and in public. Common ways to meet access needs include providing multiple ways to share information, reducing barriers in noisy environments, and supporting flexible communication.

Overview

Section titled “Overview”

Auditory and communication disabilities affect how people hear, process, or express sound, vocal information, and other auditory Context. These disabilities often occur alongside cognitive disabilities, which can add complexity to how information is received or shared.

Some people face challenges hearing speech or other sounds. Others experience differences in how they process or produce language. Communication disabilities may include conditions that affect speech, language, or other forms of expression. Needs vary from person to person and may change over time or by environment.

Common goals for people with these disabilities include:

  • Understanding spoken information
  • Taking part in conversations
  • Receiving alerts and announcements
  • Communicating in preferred ways

Associated conditions and disabilities in this category include:

  • Aging
  • Deaf-blindness
  • Hearing impairment or hearing loss
  • Hard-of-hearing
  • Shingles
  • Meniere’s disease
  • Acoustic neuroma
  • Ramsay Hunt syndrome
  • Tinnitus and other chronic auditory conditions
  • Auditory processing disorders
  • Speech and language disabilities

The access needs for people with these disabilities vary. This article discusses meeting the following specific needs, as noted in useable:

  • Auditory access
  • Vocal and expressive communication
  • Environmental sound management
  • Communication flexibility

Auditory Access

Section titled “Auditory Access”

This category includes people who:

  • Are without hearing, hard of hearing, or have partial hearing loss
  • Experience tinnitus, auditory processing differences, or other hearing-related condition
  • Use hearing aids and other assistive listening devices

People with these needs benefit from:

  • Captions and transcripts for videos, meetings, and events
  • Clear sound quality and reduced background noise
  • Assistive listening systems such as hearing loops and FM transmitters
  • Visual or vibrating alerts for notifications, emergencies, and announcements
  • Software that supports live or automated captioning

Learn more from Writing Accessible Content (Ta11y), Accessible Hybrid Events (Ta11y), and Captions.

Vocal and Expressive Communication

Section titled “Vocal and Expressive Communication”

This category includes people who:

  • Have speech disabilities or limited ability to speak vocally
  • Use augmentative or alternative communication (AAC) tools
  • Communicate through writing, sign language, and text-based methods

People with these needs benefit from:

  • Flexible communication options, such as text, chat, or email instead of phone calls
  • Interpretation to and from sign language or AAC tools
  • Video calls that allow visual cues and sign language
  • Speech-to-text and text-to-speech tools for real-time transcription in meetings and classrooms
  • Staff training on inclusive communication

Learn more from Sign Language (Ta11y), Speech to Text (Ta11y) and Introduction to Vocal Disabilities (Ta11y).

Environmental Sound Management

Section titled “Environmental Sound Management”

This category includes people who:

  • Are affected by excessive or unpredictable background noise
  • Use hearing aids or cochlear implants that amplify environmental sound
  • Experience auditory overstimulation or stress in noisy environments

People with these needs benefit from:

  • Sound-absorbing and sound-proof materials in walls, ceilings, and floors
  • Low-noise machinery, HVAC systems, and appliances
  • Policies to keep background music low or off in shared spaces
  • Designated quiet areas and smaller rooms for communication
  • Guidance on appropriate speaking volume and tone

Learn more from Indoor In-Person Events (Ta11y), Soundproofing and Quiet Spaces (Ta11y), and Introduction to Sensory Disabilities (Ta11y).

Communication Flexibility

Section titled “Communication Flexibility”

This category includes people who:

  • Need, prefer, or benefit frommultiple ways to receive and share information
  • Depend on captions, transcripts, or interpretation to access content
  • Experience difficulty using voice-only systems

People with these needs benefit from:

  • Multiple communication options, including written, verbal, and visual methods
  • Enabling transcription and chat options on video conferencing software
  • Clear instructions on how to request captioning or interpretation
  • Visual and auditory alerts for important information
  • Easy access to accommodation information online or in person
  • Staff training on communication practices

Learn more from Your Role in Accessibility and Virtual Meetings (Ta11y).

Accessibility Impacts

Section titled “Accessibility Impacts”

People with auditory and communication disabilities face barriers when sound is the only way information is shared, when there is too much or too little sound, or when communication methods are limited.

For example:

  • A person without hearing does not receive safety information if it is only announced over a loudspeaker, or when an alert is only expressed in sound
  • A person who uses hearing aids may struggle to hear a conversation in a noisy meeting room.
  • Someone with an auditory processing disorder may have difficulty following fast speech without captions or transcription.
  • A person with a speech disability cannot participate in a survey if only spoken responses are accepted.

Workplaces, schools, and public spaces can pose barriers when captioning, interpretation, or alternate communication methods are not available.

Supporting Methods

Section titled “Supporting Methods”

Communication

Section titled “Communication”
  • Add Captions and Transcripts (Ta11y) to videos and meetings.
  • Write captions and transcripts in plain language.
  • Provide sign-language interpreters when requested.
  • Use speech-to-text tools in classrooms and meetings.
  • Offer communication options beyond telephone calls, such as email, chat, or text.
  • Let people know how to request help or accommodations.
  • Offer video calls to support sign language or visual communication.
  • Use plain, clear language when speaking.
  • Adjust speaking volume and speed for clarity.

Technology

Section titled “Technology”
  • Provide assistive listening devices in meeting rooms and event spaces.
  • Maintain and clearly label hearing-loop systems.
  • Use software that supports live captioning and integrates with hearing devices.
  • Reduce background noise in all recorded or streamed content.
  • Include non-sonic alerts (visual, tactile, or vibration) for important notifications.

Environment and Policies

Section titled “Environment and Policies”
  • Reduce background noise wherever possible.
  • Design with sound-absorbing and sound-proof materials.
  • Install quiet HVAC systems, doors, and appliances.
  • Keep music low or off in shared spaces.
  • Offer both audible and visual alerts.
  • Train staff to communicate with people who are deaf or hard of hearing or have speech disabilities.
  • Clearly explain how to request captioning or interpretation for events.
  • Do not require telephone use.
  • Offer more than one communication method.
  • Provide written information when possible.
  • Make it easy to find accessibility and accommodation details.
  • Provide open and quiet areas for communication, and separate rooms when privacy or lower noise levels are needed.

Learn more from the resources listed in the “Related Ta11y Videos and Articles” section.

Examples

Section titled “Examples”

Leila is Deaf and is attending a professional conference. She requests a sign language interpreter, and the organizers provide interpreters, live captions on the main screen, and transcripts of sessions. This allows her to follow presentations and take part in discussions.

David works in an open office and uses hearing aids. Background noise makes it difficult for him to join conversations. His workplace provides a meeting room with a hearing loop system and real-time captions for meetings. Colleagues also share written notes afterward.

Anika is a college student with an auditory processing disorder. She finds it hard to follow fast-paced speech, so her school provides real-time captioning and lecture transcripts. She sits in a quieter part of the classroom to reduce distractions and focus.

Jorge experiences tinnitus, which makes hearing announcements stressful. He relies on digital screens and mobile app alerts for boarding updates. When airlines provide both visual and audio announcements, he feels more confident while traveling.

Section titled “Related Ta11y Articles and Videos”
  • Captions
  • Transcripts
  • Plain Language
  • Inclusive Language
  • In-Person Events
  • Hybrid Events
  • Virtual Events
  • Your Role in Accessibility
  • Useable: Auditory
  • Useable: Vocal

Resources

Section titled “Resources”