Level Up Accessibility: Tech Solutions for Deaf Gamers
Game Development
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August 6, 2024
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2 min read
Table of Contents
When it comes to game design and development, it's important to consider player accessibility. After all, gaming shouldn't be restricted to a select few. In a previous post, we highlighted the importance of UI and UX design in ensuring accessibility. In short, ensuring a design was "made for all." Technological advancements have made it easier than ever to design and develop smooth and accessible user interfaces. Video game design, which relies heavily on providing information to players and users, should also operate on this mindset.
Another important link between accessibility and gaming, however, lies in causation. A recent study found that video games may increase the probability of hearing loss in gamers due to exposure to unsafe sounds. This may potentially increase gamers' risk of developing hearing loss or tinnitus, commonly described as a ringing sound only you can hear. The study's findings indicate that the average measured sound levels of video games exceed or nearly exceed permissible sound-exposure limits. The evidence showed that gaming is likely a source of unsafe listening.
As such, even if you don't have any hearing disabilities, accessibility is still a crucial part of gaming and video game development. Fortunately, more and more video game developers are taking accessibility settings and design into consideration nowadays. At the same time, innovations in digital technology have made it possible to make gaming even more accessible to deaf and hard-of-hearing gamers. Below, we'll take a look at some of the recent developments in technology that are making this possible:
AI-powered sign language
In 2022, E-interpreters entered the gaming world as an AI-powered technology designed for deaf gamers. The AI-powered tech allows users to add a "gamer sign language" bot to their Discord servers, a popular VoIP program typically used by gamers for voice chat. This AI-powered bot allows hearing-impaired players to better understand their teammates' communication, which can significantly help in multiplayer games.
A year later, developers Fahrenheit DDB took E-interpreters a step further by using facial recognition technology. The bot can now turn deaf players' facial gestures and expressions into audio messages. This allows gamers to easily "talk" and interact with other players, significantly boosting inclusivity and improving the gaming experience for all. Any gamer with a webcam can use these text-to-translation and text-to-voice bots, and it's free and available to everybody. The bots are also available as open-source AI within Discord for those looking to make their own Discord bots.
Smart hearing glasses
Another crucial development for deaf or hard-of-hearing gamers is hearing glasses. Smart glasses have become increasingly popular in recent years, and while most new innovations focus on what you can see, Nuance hearing glasses help you hear better. Nuance Audio's glasses use beamforming technology to provide extra clarity and cut through background noise, helping wearers hear better without the use of traditional hearing aids.
The hearing glasses come in two simple designs and are described as an all-in-one vision and hearing solution. The frames are available in simple shiny black colorways or shiny burgundy if you prefer a splash of color. While not necessarily geared toward gamers, hearing glasses are a great step forward for making gaming accessible. The glasses' simple design also features flat arms, which can boost comfort for those who game long hours wearing bulky or heavy gaming headsets.
Smart audio-responsive lighting
Finally, while this next one doesn't necessarily improve hearing, it works by transforming sound into colorful lights. The relatively new product Audio Radar uses RGBW light bars located around a monitor. These lights help visualize the directionality of audio events in video games, such as gunshots, explosions, or passing vehicles.
The smart lighting system is straightforwardly plug-and-play thanks to a simple console that intercepts 7.1 encoded audio in games. This helps the technology convert directional audio into sectioned lighting around the monitor. While not marketed as a hearing enhancement tool, the Audio Radar can benefit the deaf or hard of hearing community, as well as hearing gamers who may have to game in low volume or mute at night.
Table of Contents
When it comes to game design and development, it's important to consider player accessibility. After all, gaming shouldn't be restricted to a select few. In a previous post, we highlighted the importance of UI and UX design in ensuring accessibility. In short, ensuring a design was "made for all." Technological advancements have made it easier than ever to design and develop smooth and accessible user interfaces. Video game design, which relies heavily on providing information to players and users, should also operate on this mindset.
Another important link between accessibility and gaming, however, lies in causation. A recent study found that video games may increase the probability of hearing loss in gamers due to exposure to unsafe sounds. This may potentially increase gamers' risk of developing hearing loss or tinnitus, commonly described as a ringing sound only you can hear. The study's findings indicate that the average measured sound levels of video games exceed or nearly exceed permissible sound-exposure limits. The evidence showed that gaming is likely a source of unsafe listening.
As such, even if you don't have any hearing disabilities, accessibility is still a crucial part of gaming and video game development. Fortunately, more and more video game developers are taking accessibility settings and design into consideration nowadays. At the same time, innovations in digital technology have made it possible to make gaming even more accessible to deaf and hard-of-hearing gamers. Below, we'll take a look at some of the recent developments in technology that are making this possible:
AI-powered sign language
In 2022, E-interpreters entered the gaming world as an AI-powered technology designed for deaf gamers. The AI-powered tech allows users to add a "gamer sign language" bot to their Discord servers, a popular VoIP program typically used by gamers for voice chat. This AI-powered bot allows hearing-impaired players to better understand their teammates' communication, which can significantly help in multiplayer games.
A year later, developers Fahrenheit DDB took E-interpreters a step further by using facial recognition technology. The bot can now turn deaf players' facial gestures and expressions into audio messages. This allows gamers to easily "talk" and interact with other players, significantly boosting inclusivity and improving the gaming experience for all. Any gamer with a webcam can use these text-to-translation and text-to-voice bots, and it's free and available to everybody. The bots are also available as open-source AI within Discord for those looking to make their own Discord bots.
Smart hearing glasses
Another crucial development for deaf or hard-of-hearing gamers is hearing glasses. Smart glasses have become increasingly popular in recent years, and while most new innovations focus on what you can see, Nuance hearing glasses help you hear better. Nuance Audio's glasses use beamforming technology to provide extra clarity and cut through background noise, helping wearers hear better without the use of traditional hearing aids.
The hearing glasses come in two simple designs and are described as an all-in-one vision and hearing solution. The frames are available in simple shiny black colorways or shiny burgundy if you prefer a splash of color. While not necessarily geared toward gamers, hearing glasses are a great step forward for making gaming accessible. The glasses' simple design also features flat arms, which can boost comfort for those who game long hours wearing bulky or heavy gaming headsets.
Smart audio-responsive lighting
Finally, while this next one doesn't necessarily improve hearing, it works by transforming sound into colorful lights. The relatively new product Audio Radar uses RGBW light bars located around a monitor. These lights help visualize the directionality of audio events in video games, such as gunshots, explosions, or passing vehicles.
The smart lighting system is straightforwardly plug-and-play thanks to a simple console that intercepts 7.1 encoded audio in games. This helps the technology convert directional audio into sectioned lighting around the monitor. While not marketed as a hearing enhancement tool, the Audio Radar can benefit the deaf or hard of hearing community, as well as hearing gamers who may have to game in low volume or mute at night.
Written By:
Harram Shahid
Senior Content Writer
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