Resource Guide for Individuals with Hearing Difficulties and Impairments

About Hearing Difficulties and Impairments

Hearing difficulties and impairments encompass a wide range of conditions—from slight hearing loss to deafness. People who have hearing difficulties and impairments might be able to hear some sound, but might not be able to distinguish words. Among adult computer users in the United States, 1 in 5 (21%) have a hearing difficulty (see study).

Assistive technology products are available that allow individuals who have hearing difficulties and impairments or who are deaf to interact with computers by receiving information visually. You can also adjust sound options and volume within many programs.

Technical Support Articles

• Hearing-related computer issues and solutions

Adjusting Computers for Hearing Needs

The following tutorials explain options helpful for individuals with hearing difficulties and impairments.

Windows Vista

Using the Ease of Access Center

Use text or visual alternatives for sounds

• Turn on visual notifications for sounds (Sound Sentry)
• Turn on text captions for spoken dialog
• Adjust system volume
• Change system sounds

Windows XP

Using the Accessibility Wizard

• Set Options for People Who Are Deaf or Have Difficulty Hearing Sounds from the Computer

Adjusting Accessibility Options

• SoundSentry: Get Visual Warnings for System Sounds
• ShowSounds: Display Captions for Speech and Sounds
• Get Visual Notification When Turning a Feature On or Off

Adjusting Internet Options

• Turn On or Turn Off Play Animations, Sounds, and Videos in Web Pages

Adjusting Sounds and Audio Options

• Adjust Computer Sound Volume
• Choose a Sound Scheme
• Assign a Sound to a System Event

Adjusting Speech Options

• Choose the Text-to-Speech Playback Voice
• Choose the Rate of Speech for the Text-to-Speech Playback Voice
• Choose an Audio Device for Text-to-Speech Playback

Windows Me

Using the Accessibility Wizard

• Opening Accessibility Wizard
• Setting Options for People Who Are Deaf or Have Difficulty Hearing Sounds from the Computer

Adjusting Settings Through Control Panel

• Adjusting Accessibility Options
• Turning SoundSentry On and Off
• Selecting SoundSentry Settings
• Turning ShowSounds On and Off
• Enabling a Warning Message to Appear When Turning a Feature On

Using Other Control Panel Options Programs

• Adjusting Internet Options
• Adjusting Sounds and Multimedia Options

Windows 2000

Using the Accessibility Wizard

• Opening Accessibility Wizard
• Setting Options for People Who Are Deaf or Have Difficulty Hearing Sounds from the Computer

Adjusting Settings Through Control Panel

• Adjusting Accessibility Options
• Turning SoundSentry On and Off
• Selecting SoundSentry Settings
• Turning ShowSounds On and Off
• Enabling a Warning Message to Appear When Turning a Feature On

Using Other Control Panel Options Programs

• Adjusting Internet Options
• Adjusting Sounds and Multimedia Options

Windows 98

Using the Accessibility Options Component

• Installing Accessibility Options Component

Using the Accessibility Wizard

• Starting and Using the Accessibility Wizard
• Setting Options for People with hearing difficulties and impairments

Using the Accessibility Options Icon in the Control Panel

• Accessing the Sound Tab
• Changing the SoundSentry Settings
• Using the ShowSounds Option
• Setting Sound and Visual Notification Options

Word 2002

Choosing Color and Sound Options

• Get Sound or Visual Notification

Word 2000

Getting Sound Feedback Notification

• Turning On Feedback Notification

Outlook 2002

Choosing Color and Sound Options

• Get Sound or Visual Notification When New Messages Arrive

Outlook 2000

• Receiving Visual or Audio Notification When New Messages Arrive