By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Privacy Policy for more information.
PreferencesDenyAccept
Big News: Nagish is now FCC-certified for IP Relay Services! 🎉  Read the announcement
Deaf Culture
June 20, 2024
6 Min

Smart Home Technology for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Curious about how smart technology can work for your home? Read how smart home technology can improve your life quality!

Author:
Molly Glass
Smart Home Technology for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Example h2
Example h3

Almost everyone is familiar with the “Hey, Alexa!” catchphrase. Are you curious about how smart technology can work for your home? Read on to learn more about adaptive technology with smart home systems!

What is Smart Technology?

Smart home technology involves devices linked by Wi-Fi that allow users to manage systems from a computer or smartphone. An example of smart technology is a refrigerator that sends an alert when milk is low or even reorders it for you. A popular one is a video doorbell that sends alerts when someone is at the door or when a package is delivered.

A challenge for the deaf and hard of hearing is that many alerts are auditory or verbal, such as interacting with Alexa, asking what the weather is today, and waiting for an automated response. Other examples are needing to hear a loud alarm for a fire or carbon monoxide system or a chirp for a doorbell. We will go into more detail below on how to make it work to meet your needs.

Benefits of Smart Technology

Time Savings

From automated reminders to call your family, to notifications of package delivery, to light dimmers set on timers, smart technology helps reduce the cognitive and mental load of household management. The fewer “small tasks” you must remember, the more time you free up.

Increased Safety

It also improves safety, alerts to possible intruders, smoke, and fire, and increases the ease of reaching emergency personnel quickly. Since you also receive alerts when away from home, you can still catch a beginning house fire speedily and take quick action to save your house.

No more feeling left out. Nagish lets your voice be heard.
Sign me up now!

Real-time Communication

Communication with family and friends also improves since multiple users of smart home systems can be added. Your child can be notified when the dishwasher is done without parental reminders. 

Cost Savings 

It can also save on expenses such as utility bills by lowering the temperature of the house when you're away from home or notifying you to replace a part before it breaks and incurs costly repairs. 

Added Independence 

A key benefit for the deaf and hard of hearing community is increased independence and autonomy. The convenience provided by technology helps people feel more in control of their day-to-day activities and rely less on others for assistance. 

There are a few downsides to smart technology, but the most common ones are the expenses of installing it, the potential complexity and time consumption of some system setups, and the need for reliable Wi-Fi to operate it. 

Types of Smart Technology

A finger is pushing a button on a smart technology hub device. The room temperature is displayed.
A finger is pushing a button on a smart technology hub device. The room temperature is displayed.

Mainstream Systems 

Smart technology can be a joint interconnected hub or separate devices that operate independently. There are smart home hubs, which are the control centers of all technology in the house, including alarms, heating, light systems, window blinds, appliances, lawn care, security, and even entertainment, such as TV and background music. 

The most common hubs used are Amazon Echo, Google Nest, and Apple HomePod, which rely on voice-activated commands. Amazon Echo could incorporate sign language recognition commands in the pipeworks, but in the meantime, having separate smart devices linked with IFTTT would make it easier to adapt and customize to your needs. 

Another system option is Home Assistant – a free and open-source system that offers over 2,800 integration possibilities and can be run on a Raspberry Pi or server. Many smart devices are compatible with this system. Some possible integrations to try:

‍

  • Using smart kitchen lighting to flash when the oven timer or other appliances are finished cooking. 
  • Connecting a Ring doorbell or similar camera doorbell to smart lights, which then flash when someone is at the door. 
  • Setting up SMS notifications from smart devices to go to a dedicated smartwatch for vibrating alerts.
  • Creating an if/then trigger using IFTTT to turn on all household lights in a specified event, such as a carbon monoxide alert. 

‍

A whole subreddit and YouTube playlist exist with tutorials on usage possibilities and how-to’s. 

Single use smart devices can add convenience to a deaf or hard of hearing user. Many deaf and hard of hearing have had the experience of waiting by the window out of fear of missing an expected visitor. The smart doorbell makes that anxiety and hassle a thing of the past. Devices like the Ring doorbell mean you get automated notifications and camera feeds on your phone so you can see who is at your door. 

Deaf Created Systems

Created by a Deaf CEO and run by an all-deaf team, SquareGlow is a smart lighting system compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri. The square lights can be set up to flash in up to eight different colors depending on their meaning. A red flash can be a critical alert, blue for kitchen appliances, and green for the front doorbell, just to name a few possibilities. 

In addition, they offer a centralized app for camera views, and sharing accounts with other household members. Anyone can trigger an agreed-upon color flash to alert a deaf or hard of hearing person and get help. Notifications can be pushed to a smartphone or watch, and products come with a one year warranty. 

Conclusion

Smart technology has changed how many people live, including the deaf and hard of hearing. These devices offer increased independence, more seamless communication between family members and friends, and added security and safety. Exploring the smart options available will help make your home environment more comfortable and accessible. 

Whether you're 18 or 100, staying connected matters—and Nagish is here to help.
Sign me up now!
Molly Glass

Molly, a Deaf mom of two CODAs, lives with her hearing partner of almost 14 years in the scenic Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia. Profoundly Deaf since 18 months old, she enjoys writing about the lived Deaf experiences and advocacy. In her free time she reads, and is very slowly working on authoring her first book.

Blog
Get Nagish for Free.
Join the thousands of people who use Nagish!
Sign me up now!
Get Nagish for Free.
Join the thousands of people who use Nagish!
Sign me up now!
Catch every word with captions.
Join the thousands of people who use Nagish!
Sign me up now!
No more feeling left out. Nagish lets your voice be heard.
Join the thousands of people who use Nagish!
Sign me up now!
Don’t let life without captions slow you down.
Join the thousands of people who use Nagish!
Sign me up now!
Share on:

Suggested Articles

Deaf Culture
July 2, 2025
17 Genius Apps for Deaf People in 2025
Community
August 2, 2023
7 Min
A Brief Guide to Diversity Hiring for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People
Hearing Loss
October 4, 2024
5 Min
Dealing with Hearing Aid Discomfort by Practical Adjustments
Big News: Nagish is now FCC-certified for IP Relay Services! 🎉  Read the announcement.

Smart Home Technology for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Key Findings

  • Workplace Impact: 62% of Deaf and 66% of Hard-of-Hearing individuals report that communication barriers hinder career mobility.
  • Healthcare Challenges: 62% of Deaf and 66% of Hard-of-Hearing individuals experience communication barriers in healthcare settings, contributing to delays in treatment.
  • Concerns About Emergency Communications: 20% of Deaf and 24.3% Hard-of-Hearing users also expressed serious concerns that communication barriers would prohibit them from contacting healthcare personnel in an emergency situation.
  • Independence Boost: Assistive technology nearly doubled rates of independence, with 60% of Deaf users and 63% of Hard-of-Hearing users reporting increased autonomy.
  • Emotional Strain: 55% of Deaf users and 83% of Hard-of-Hearing users reported emotional distress due to communication frustrations.
  • Social and Professional Opportunities: 46% of Deaf and 32.9% of Hard-of-Hearing users saw improved social and career prospects thanks to assistive technologies.

Empowering the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Through Technology: A New Era of Communication and Independence

At Nagish, we’ve seen firsthand just how much communication shapes daily life for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing communities. Our recent survey highlights the significant barriers they face in the workplace, healthcare settings, and in their social lives. But it also sheds light on a powerful solution: assistive technology. The results of this survey reinforce our commitment to empowering these communities and remind us why our mission matters: with access to the right tools, independence grows, opportunities expand, and well-being improves.

We collected data through a comprehensive survey involving over 300 individuals who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing and currently use hearing assistive technology. The survey included 179 Deaf and 140 Hard-of-Hearing participants, with data collected in an inclusive and accessible manner to ensure that everyone could participate and share their experiences without barriers.Communication Barriers in the Workplace: Limiting Career Mobility

Communication challenges in the workplace remain one of the most significant hurdles for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals, preventing them from fully realizing their career potential. Assistive technology offers a solution by removing these barriers and expanding access to a broader range of job opportunities and career growth.

Download the PDF Report

A majority of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing participants reported that communication barriers affected their career decisions, making it harder to pursue job opportunities or advance in their careers.

Deaf Participants

Hard-of-Hearing participants

65% of Deaf users rely on assistance from hearing individuals at least once a week to communicate effectively, which can limit their ability to fully engage in dynamic work environments.

Communication Barriers in Healthcare: A Matter of Public Safety
Communication challenges are not just a workplace issue — they extend into healthcare settings, where they can directly impact individuals’ health outcomes. Accessible communication tools are essential for ensuring that Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals can receive timely and accurate medical care, especially in emergency situations

Many Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users face communication barriers in healthcare settings, which can lead to missed appointments, misunderstandings about medical treatments, and delayed care.

Deaf users:

62%

Hard of Hearing users:

66%

Some Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users have concerns about reaching healthcare professionals in emergencies, highlighting serious public safety risks.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Empowering Independence Through Assistive Technology
One of the most encouraging findings from our survey is just how much independence is boosted with assistive technology. This improvement in independence is not just about doing things on their own; it’s about having the confidence and ability to engage fully in both professional and personal settings.

Assistive technology has significantly increased the independence of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users in managing daily tasks, showing clear improvements after adoption.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Expanding Social and Professional Opportunities
Beyond independence, assistive technology creates connection.By removing communication barriers that keep people from joining in socially or professionallyassistive technology allows users to engage more deeply in social activities and pursue career opportunities that were previously out of reach.

Assistive technology has helped Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users expand their social networks and professional opportunities, enabling new connections and career growth.

Emotional and Psychological Impact: The Hidden Toll of Communication Barriers
People often overlook the emotional and psychological toll of communication , but they can have a profound impact on the mental well-being of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals. Assistive technology can help alleviate this emotional strain, empowering users to communicate more effectively and reducing the anxiety associated with relying on others for basic communication.

A significant number of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users experience frustration and anxiety when communicating with family and friends, leading to isolation and stress.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Why This Matters: A Call for Widespread Adoption of Assistive Technologies
The findings from our survey are clear: communication barriers continue to limit the lives of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals in many areas, from the workplace to healthcare to their social lives. What’s also clear to us is that the question isn’t whether assistive technology helps—it’s how quickly we can make this powerful solution universally available.. By making these tools more accessible, we can open up new opportunities for individuals to thrive in their careers, maintain better health, and lead more independent lives.
At Nagish, we are committed to advocating for the integration of assistive technologies in all aspects of life. Whether it’s in healthcare, the workplace, or social settings, these technologies have the potential to create a more inclusive society where Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals can live fully empowered lives. 
Our hope is that these findings inspire not just awareness, but action. We hope this survey creates awareness and action in promoting accessibility and inclusion for these communities. Together, we can create a world where everyone, regardless of their hearing abilities, has equal access to opportunities and services.