Mixed Hearing Groups

Groups that include people with different hearing abilities, typically d/Deaf individuals, hard of hearing individuals, hearing individuals, and sign language interpreters communicating together. Mixed hearing groups face unique challenges in both in-person and virtual settings because participants rely on different communication methods (sign language, speechreading, spoken language, captioning) and have different needs for visual attention, turn-taking protocols, and feedback mechanisms. Designing inclusive communication tools for mixed hearing groups requires accommodating these diverse needs simultaneously rather than treating accessibility as a single-user concern.