HEARING IMPAIRMENT & SPEECH DIFFICULITY

I listen with my eyes

LITERATURE REVIEW

We should differentiate firstly between hard of hearing and deafness:

*Deafness: means an extreme inability to discriminate conversational speech through the ear. Usually, a person is considered deaf when sound must reach at least 90 decibels (5 to 10 times louder than normal speech).
*Hard of Hearing: it is a lesser degree of hearing. *Those who are deaf from birth or a very early age often are also nonspeaking. *most of hearing impairments occur as result of aging process.

ANALYZING STRATEGY
A) Categorization: Types of hearing impairments: 1- Deafness. 2- Hard of hearing. B) Problem: The main difficulty in this impairment is with hearing and sharing auditory information.

C) Alternative: Alternative tools and mechanism.

vision

tactility

Physical ability

smelling

*Alternative Tools: -colors. -signs. -lights. -transparency. -vibrations. -acoustics. -visual kinetic. -mirrors in strategic locations. -Telecommunication devices for the deaf(TDD).

*Alternative Languages: -sign language. -lip-reading.

*Scenarios: -indoor (homes, public buildings). -outdoor.

Categories of hearing disabilities

First: Classification depending on the age at which the disability occurred :

1. Pre lingual Deafness

And refers to the cases of deafness occurring at birth or at an earlier stage of the development of speech and language in children, and believes that the age of 3 years is the separation age.

2. Post lingual Deafness And refers to the cases of deafness which occurs after a child acquired the skill of speech and language.

Second, classification according to the Hearing:

1. Conductive Hearing loss: And refers to the hearing disability resulting from the defect in the outer ear or middle ear so as to prevent the arrival of the sound waves normally to the inner ear, and therefore the patient finds it difficult to hear lower sounds, while facing less difficulty in hearing the higher sounds and, in general, the loss of audio output does not exceed 60 dB. 2.Sensor neural Hearing loss: And refers to the hearing disability caused by a defect in the inner ear or auditory nerve, the disorder is located in the auditory nerve is not transferred to the brain completely. And loss of audio sensory nervous not only affects the ability to hear sounds and even to understand, too, in most cases the patient suffers from the inability to hear high tones. And benefit the patient from the speakers or amplification are few. 3. Mixed Hearing loss: This type combines audio connectivity between disability and hearing disability a sense of nervousness

General Features of Hearing:

(1) difficulty in understanding instructions and the request to repeat it.
(2) errors in pronunciation. (3) rotate the head to a specific destination when you listen to a discussion. (4) lack of consistency in tone of voice. (5) the tendency to talk loudly.

(6) placing the hand on one ear to improve hearing.

(7) gaze in the face of the speaker and follow the movement of the lips. (8) prefer signals during the talk.

(9) the emergence of Sididip discharge from the ear or redness in the pinna. (10) pressure on the ear of the child or the complaint of tinnitus (ringing) in the ear.

What are the causes of hearing impairment?

* Reasons for before birth like genetic and non-genetic reasons such as mother infection of German measles, especially during the first three months of pregnancy or taking certain medications during pregnancy. * Reasons such as birth hypoxia and head injuries.

* Reasons after birth, such as meningitis, cerebral, or any disease of childhood to measles virus or mumps, injuries and incidents experienced by the ear.

communication
1. Oral Communication
The communication in this way to educate children with impaired hearing or deaf using speech as is the case for those who do not suffer from hearing impairment, has started the way of verbal gaining more attention as a means of communication in deaf education of the disabled in the middle of the nineteenth century.

i. Auditory Training
It means the education of deaf children with disabilities to make the most of the audio remains available to him, and audio training includes the training of the child to sense, and awareness of different sounds in the environment and distinguish speech sounds.

ii. Speech Reading

Reference is made to read the speech sometimes read lips Lip Reading and is intended to teach children with hearing disabilities on the use of his visual movement of the lips and exits of sounds, as well as remains of hearing to understand speech communicated to him.

2. Manual Communication
According to the manual method to contact to the use of hands in the expression instead of verbal speech, and the manual method divide to total signal and alphanumeric fingers and often made up on the manual method of communication in sign language.

SIGN LANGUAGE
Total Signal Alphanumeric Fingers

Deafness In Jordan There are only two centers for speech and hearing loss in Jordan. One is situated in Amman which serves all civilian patients in Amman and South of Jordan (Karak, Ma'an, Tafelah). Also, the equipment in this center are old and over utilized and replacement of these equipment is badly needed. All hearing assessment and speech rehabilitation cases from south and middle of Jordan are referred to this center. The other center is situated in Amera Basma Hospital in Irbid which serves all civilian patients in north of Jordan. Also, there is high burden on this center and replacement of the equipment is needed. As far as prevention is concerned, there are no nationally representative accurate data on the magnitude and causes of deafness and there is no strategy or action plan.

Priority areas More training of staff

Determining the prevalence and identify the major causes of disabling hearing impairment or deafness Determining the frequency and distribution of all levels of disabling hearing impairment and its causes in different demographic regions and districts Developing an action plan for the prevention of deafness and hearing impairment. Performance indicators - Reliable data on deafness and hearing impairment in Jordan - Development of strategies.

DEAF SPACE theory:

We look for one communication system that works for both the deaf and hearing. We focus more on seeing and be seen.
Deaf people inhabit a rich sensory world where vision and touch are a primary means of spatial awareness and orientation. He addressed main issues, and putted guidelines to achieve them: -communication -learning -safety

Olof HansenFirst deaf architect

Dawes house/ first deaf -friendly house. Designed by Olof Hansen.

DEAF SPACE PRINCIPLES:

The Deaf Space Guidelines is a catalogue of distinct Deaf Space architectural design elements that address five major intersections between deaf experience and the built environment: 1) space and proximity: to maintain clear visual communication individuals stand at a distance where they can see facial expression and the full dimension of the signer. As conversation groups grow in number, the space between individuals increases to allow visual connection for all participants.

Primary walks and paths should be a minimum of eight feet wide(2.5m). This is true for corridors and hallways as well as outdoor pathways

An overarching spatial condition of opennessa smooth flow of space from public to shared to private spaces shall envelop the building to provide the visual access necessary to understand and navigate through the building.

For the hearing, physical enclosure is associated with a sense of security. But for the deaf, open spaces that allows for visual control over the surrounding area brings a sense of security and wellbeing.

2) sensory reach: Deaf people read the activities in their surroundings that may not be immediately apparent to many hearing people through an acute sensitivity of visual and tactile cues such as the movement of shadows, vibrations. This aspects must be considered to facilitate spatial awareness and facilitate orientation and way finding.

3) mobility and proximity: While walking together in conversation signers tend to maintain a wide distance between each other for clear visual communication. The signers will shift their gaze between the conversation and their surroundings scanning for hazards and to maintain proper direction. If one senses a hazard they alert their companion, adjust and continue the conversation without interruption.

DEAF SPACE PRINCIPLES:

4) light and color: Poor lighting conditions such as glare, shadow patterns, and backlighting interrupt visual communication and are major contributors to eye fatigue that can lead to a loss of concentration as well as physical exhaustion. Color can be used to contrast and to highlight sign language and facilitate visual way finding.

Sliding Entrance Doorsallow individuals having a signed conversation while entering the building to continue their conversation un-interrupted as they enter

Stair ConfigurationsBy offsetting runs of switchback stairs occupants have visual access to individuals approaching from the other direction.

Wash Surfaces With LightWindows placed adjacent to perpendicular wall surfaces tend to diffuse natural light and reduce glare for lighting attuned to deaf eyes.

DEAF SPACE PRINCIPLES:

5) acoustics: this principle is important for hard of hearing people, spaces should be designed to reduce reverberation and other sources of background noise because they use assistive devices such as hearing aids or cochlear implants to enhance sound. Shaping Space/Controlling AcousticsRooms can be shaped to reduce the echo effects of reflected sound that interfere with assistive hearing devices. Controlling Background NoiseMechanical systems, traffic and activities in adjacent rooms produce noise that can be sensed and should be controlled. Shielding Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)Electrical and mechanical equipment that produces EMI should shielded as to not disrupt hearing devices.

In short, for deaf people consider these points:

Use of partial walls - less than floor-to-ceiling height; Placement of windows - locate them so they produce diffused light, not glaring light; Use of building materials such as clouded glass instead of brick, concrete, or drywall, to create privacy and still feel open; Wooden floors - so banging can be felt from other rooms; Select colors on floors as not to confuse a Deaf person's wide vision range; Use curved corners instead of right-angled walls or sharp turns; Create an open Kitchen to be visually accessible to adjacent rooms; Position light switches outside bathroom and bedrooms; Implement circular areas to see each other comfortably; Create wide, non-white sidewalks outdoors to accommodate people walking and signing to each other, and avoid glare of sunlight.

CASE STUDIES

INDOOR

Housing : VALLEY STREET RESIDENCE

The redesign developed an uninhabited attic space to add three new bedrooms, a bathroom, lengthy storage wall, skylights and stair to the first floor. Fully detached house the entire north side of the house was opened with the addition of new windows and skylights to enhance natural day lighting on all four sides of the house.

Visual Connection, through placing furniture, partitions and staircases carefully in plan.

Vibration, building surfaces can be designed to propagate vibrations to allow occupants to detect the approach of a visitor.

Mirrors in strategic locations, to maintain visual connection.

Open plan house, with least partitions.

Wooden floors so banging can be felt from other rooms

Major Parts: *Entrance. *daily spaces. *circulation. Strong visual contact from space to space. Create an open Kitchen to be visually accessible to adjacent rooms

Light colors, to increase light reflection & decrease eye strain.

SOME INDOOR SOLUTIONS:

1. Visual Alarms:

2. Visual Alert For Telephone And Doorbell:

3. Camera For Doorbell:

DORMITORIES: NEW STUDENT RESIDENCE for CALIFORNIA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF Designing with deep understanding of the unique ways in which Deaf people interact with the built environment. Optimizing the arrangement of spaces, visual access, natural/artificial lighting conditions and the use of color to enhance way finding and provide an overall sense of well-being for the Deaf students and faculty. Indirect light, to prevent glare.

Central main axis, to maximize visual connection, also to prevent deep unlighted spaces.

The dwelling units and servant spaces will be organized around a communal kitchen and dining room, living area.

MIXED USE: DEAF HOPE ORGANIZATION building

DEAF HOPE is a nonprofit organization established by and for Deaf women in 2003 to end domestic and social violence against Deaf women and children. They built a new community specifically for Deaf survivors and will be a space that reaffirms the identity of a Deaf person.

Clear circulation axis, with outdoor gathering spaces.

Placement of windows locate them so they produce diffused light, not glaring light Create wide, shaded, non-white sidewalks outdoors to accommodate people walking and signing to each other, and avoid glare of sunlight.

The residential and administrative areas will be separated by and organized around a series of outdoor courtyards that provide a safe outdoor setting.

The building will be designed to foster interaction and a sense of community within an architecture that reflects Deaf cultural and cognitive sensibilities.

When deaf people congregate the group customarily works together to rearrange furnishings into a conversation circle to allow clear sightlines so everyone can participate in the visual conversation.

PUBLIC CENTER: SAN DIEGO SUPERCOMPUTER CENTER

LEARNING CENTER: The Sorenson Language and Communication Center (SLCC)

Meeting Spaces Deaf meeting rooms such as class rooms and conference rooms require more square feet per person to accommodate the horseshoe seating arrangement that offers optimal visual access. Informal Seating Elements a cluster of landscape elements in a circular arrangement of different heights offers a variety of places for individuals to relax and converse where their signing space is easily viewed from a variety of angles.

Circular meeting spaces so their signing space is easily viewed from a variety of angles.

Soft Intersections Circular corner walls at hallway intersections with windows or curved surfaces allow occupants to sense the approach of others

Conversation Circle The size and shape of a group of individuals having a visual conversation changes to allow for clear conversation.

Creating rich environment which encourage the visual connection.

Note: do not forget to show the video about SLCC.

Room Room by Takeshi Hosaka

It is two stories with box shape construction with many small openings only 200 mm squares randomly installed on the walls, floors and the roof.

The house consists of two small rooms at the first floor, one big room in the second floor and the roof.

Almost a hundred small square windows scattered across the walls, ceilings and roof of a house in Tokyo allow its occupants, a deaf couple and their children, to sign to each other through the walls even when the children are playing outdoors.

practical openings for communications between the first and the second floors.

From here, a ladder leads up though a skylight hatch to a terrace on the roof.

Children sometimes call their parents attention by dropping a small minicar.

Roof Plan with the

small windows that enters light, air and allow access to the roof by the hatch.

Elevation with the

small windows that enters light, air and makes it easy for sign language.

1st Floor with open plan design,

kitchen and living room; for easier communication.

2nd Floor with open plan design, one big room; for easier
communication.

For sign language communication

Sections with open plan design, to show the way they

communicate through the small openings.

Bed room

Bed room

w.c

kitchen

w.c

kitchen

Living room

WORKING BUILDING:

Use of partial walls less than floor-to-ceiling height

Open plan working place

Transparence windows for maximum visual communication.

Use of building materials such as clouded glass instead of brick, concrete, or drywall, to create privacy and still feel open

Translucent glass also for entering the light.

Visual connection from level to level.

OUTDOOR

Openness
Openness is a metaphor for no barriers When passing a pathway all corners should be clear, signage system used should be visually clear as well. We should also consider landscape design at edges where visual connection shouldn't be interrupted , studying form of branching, height and also leaves or flowers glare.

The public areas should feel comfortable for everyone. where we can see one another from a distance but also have a private conversation.

Way finding systems

Variations in color, texture, design motif, and numbering systems can help break down large structures into comprehensible parts, providing coded systems that help the viewer understand where they are within a larger whole.

Tiles with sign language features as part of the floor design

Signage could include images of sign language

COLORS:

Colors to share specific information.

Use glass exterior surfaces for visual interaction with the environment Provide glass walls at entry points of public and shared spaces to create more inviting entries. Use mirrors or glass at corners to enable visual access around corners

Corners

SIGNAGE SYSTEM:

District Markers
Visual Icons that announce arrival to each district along the corridor. Markers act as orienting and way-finding elements within the streetscape

Markers are color-coded to differentiate districts

WALK WAYS DESIGN:

Flat wide paths, to prevent hazards.

Pathway flow should course smoothly without abrupt transitions and sudden angles.

Eye contact is important

WALK WAYS DESIGN: Shaded walk ways, to prevent glare which interrupts visual communication through sign language .

Streets And Pathways Light

Outdoor night lighting is very important for safety and a feeling of well-being. Light sources should be diffused or shielded so that the light source is not directly visible, to avoid glare. It is desirable to light buildings, surfaces, and objects as well as pathways.

Composition
The center is a Circle [or Square] an open area with a mobile celebrating the Deaf Experience, signifying freedom from oppression.

ASSISTANT TECHNOILOGIES

Hearing devices

Beethoven hearing devices

Web cameras

Music device for deaf peoples

Vibration rings
Used when two deaf people at distance from each other needs to start a sign language conversation.

Vibrator pad

Fire alarm lighting system

Putting it under the cushion

New apple application for deaf people,

This application makes communication possible through using mobiles or i-pads.

Communicaid
Communicaid: a three piece deaf communication system that assists people with deafness to communicate in different situations

1. Visual Sound Station :

This piece is meant for indoor use to communicate sounds and words. The station receives sounds or words and displays them on a translucent cylinder. For instance words are displayed as text, a bell icon appears for the doorbell, and a red baby icon appears for a crying baby. The display screen is cylindrical so that the messages can be seen from any side.

2. Visual Sound Glasses :

These are meant for outdoor use such as when driving or out jogging. The glasses are really kind of a headband that sits above the eyes and has a series of LED light indicators. If a distinctive sudden sound like a car horn or a person yelling occurs, the LED lights indicate the direction of the sound source. Giving the user visual cues to sounds they might not normally be aware of.

3. Mobile Communicator:

This device is designed to help alleviate some of the challenges when communicating face to face. The Mobile Communicator looks and functions the same as a smart phone with a sliding keyboard. With the ability to make calls, send email, etc. The screen is curved to allow views from opposite sides.

Using voice to text technology, the person with deafness can read what another person is saying on their half of the screen. They can then type back a message that will appear on the other side of the screen that is viewable to the other person.

Tactile Bracelet Gives Stylish Alerts for Deaf

The Aria is able to identify six different sounds in and around the home: telephone, doorbell, smoke alarm, baby monitor, alarm clock, and emergency vehicle sirens. When the device senses one of these sounds, it activates little rubber feelers that tickle the wearers wrist. This alerts the wearer to look at the Aria to discover which event is taking place. One of the six distinct shapes will be lit to direct the wearer to the appropriate item

conclusion
Deaf people inhabit a highly visual world; they have a visual and spatial language and a visually-centered way of orienting within the world around them. It should follow, then, that the environment they build be completely responsive to and expressive of deaf ways of being.