1. Visual Alerts: Install visual alerts in various areas around the house. This could include doorbells, fire alarms, and phone ringers. These systems use flashing lights to notify the occupant of specific events, instead of depending solely on sound.
2. Flooring: It is recommended to use hard flooring surface throughout the house as opposed to soft materials. Soft materials absorb sounds and may reduce vibrations, thus limiting the ability to feel sounds. Smooth, hard surface floors, help transmit vibrations throughout the room, which can be felt with feet or by lying down.
3. Lighting: Proper lighting is crucial, especially for individuals with partial hearing or deafness. Install lighting fixtures in strategic areas to aid visibility. The lights could also be fitted with a dimmer switch which gives the room brightness control as the mood demands.
4. Signage and labeling: The use of symbols and other visual aids to clearly indicate room or area of the house is essential. Signs can give direction or help navigate an induction loop or specialized communication devices.
5. Accessibility features: Home builders should consider installing various accessibility features like ramps, handrails, and tactile sensors. This features can aid movement within the house and aid hearing-impaired individuals in day-to-day routines.
6. Communication equipment: Build in intercoms and assistive technology devices such as sign language video relay services, TTY machines and Closed Captioning Television devices, to make communication possible.
7. Acoustics: Builders should take into account how sound travels in the house. The layout and design of the house should take into account reverberations, echoes, and standing waves in order to enhance accessibility. Oftentimes, acoustic panels can be integrated into the walls and ceiling to assist in sound quality.
8. Alarm Systems: When it comes to alarms, technological advancement has made it possible for people with hearing impairment to have access to alarm systems. Install alarm devices, known as ‘bed shakers’ or vibrating alarms that will shake the bed and communicate the alarm to the occupant with hearing loss.
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