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

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Chang, C-M, 2016. Influences of new media communication on the deaf/hard of hearing as reflected in interaction design. PhD, Nottingham Trent University.

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Abstract

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.

Item Type:	Thesis
Creators:	Chang, C.-M.
Date:	September 2016
Rights:	This work is the intellectual property of the author. You may copy up to 5% of this work for private study, or personal, non-commercial research. Any re-use of the information contained within this document should be fully referenced, quoting the author, title, university, degree level and pagination. Queries or requests for any other use, or if a more substantial copy is required, should be directed to the owner(s) of the Intellectual Property Rights.
Divisions:	Schools > School of Art and Design
Record created by:	Linda Sullivan
Date Added:	16 Nov 2016 11:07
Last Modified:	16 Nov 2016 11:07
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/29138