Influences of new media communication on the deaf/hard of hearing as reflected in interaction design

In recent years different forms of media communication have increased in popularity and brought new technology into our daily lives, such as social media and smartphones. It has brought new opportunities for communication. However, there has traditionally been a communication gap between the deaf/hard of hearing (D/HoH) and hearing people. The question therefore arises: Are the new communication opportunities able to bridge this communication gap? This research aims to explore new communication opportunities for D/HoH people by the use of social networking services (SNS) and the new communication applications (apps). It will provide an innovative communication solution, via interaction design, for bridging the aforementioned communication gap between D/HoH and hearing people. This study is divided into two parts: a. Preliminary study; b. Primary research and creative practice. The preliminary study shows that new media communication technologies (SNS and communication apps) can open new communication opportunities and bridge the communication gap between D/HoH and hearing people. This study argues it is possible because there are three specific features provided by SNS and communication apps. However, it also shows there is a further communication gap in face-to-face (FTF) communication even when using SNS and communication apps. This is because the physical interaction with nonverbal messages is absent in the use of SNS and communication apps. The primary research provides a communication solution (a smartphone app 'Talk2Me') that has been developed through interaction design creative practice and specifically a user-centred design (UCD) development process. The resulting app can be used to bridge the FTF communication gap between D/HoH and hearing people. This innovative communication solution provides a specific way to communicate between D/HoH and hearing people in FTF communication. This study contributes new knowledge in the understanding of SNS and communication apps as used by the D/HoH, which are not studied in detail in existing literature. In addition, this research contributes an innovative communication solution for the D/HoH that has been specifically developed from an interaction design perspective.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

phd

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Nottingham Trent University

Year dc:date.issued

2016

Author dc:creator

• Chang, C-M

Language dc:language

en