We live in built environment designed largely by and for
hearing individuals. However, contrary to what we think, hearing loss is not
always congenital, it can happen to any of us sooner or later. According to the
World Health Organization, almost a third of people over the age of 65 suffer
from hearing loss.
The spatial needs of the hearing impaired are not as noticeable as the needs of people with visual or mobility impairments. Although, people with hearing loss perceive and experience space differently from those who can hear. They live in a rich sensory world where sight and touch are primary tools for spatial awareness and perception. However, they experience difficulties due to the fact that they are not sufficiently taken into account in the design of the built environment. To overcome these, they must make extra efforts to adapt their environment to their unique way of being.
The good news is that in the world of architecture and interior design, the architectural approach called DeafSpace is gaining prominence thanks to more professionals pay attention to creating spaces for the deaf. In places where DeafSpace principles are applied, the hearing impaired will not need to make an extra effort for their daily spatial using.
Providing valuable insight into the interrelationship of the senses, the ways we construct the built environment, and cultural identity, the DeafSpace Project (DSP) was created by architect Hansel Bauman (Hbhm Architects) and the ASL Deaf Studies Department at Gallaudet University. As a result of the studies, 150 different design details were determined and DeafSpace Guides were developed. DeafSpace addressed five key points of contact between deaf experiences and the built environment;
Sensory Reach
In a culture where the sense of sight prevails, we tend to forget that the experience of space encompasses all the senses. With its roots back in the 1950s, multi-sensory design demonstrates that it is possible to satisfy a wider audience by proposing a spatial experience that happens through the senses. For example, designing large windows or open spaces to provide visual access to daylight and nature.
Space and Proximity
Due to the nature of the visual-spatial languages (sign language) they use, hearing-impaired people need to have enough space around them during conversations. For spaces with more than 4 people, designing wide or circular distributions rather than linear provide open communication channel where all participants can see each other.
Mobility and Proximity
Hearing-impaired people often check their surroundings to avoid possible dangers that may be overlooked because they cannot hear while walking. At the same time, they need space between them to converse in sign language. Wider walkways and open plans should be preferred in order to take precautions against possible dangers as well as ease of conversation.
Acoustic
Hearing impaired individuals experience many different types and degrees of hearing, and many use assistive devices such as hearing aids to enhance sound. Individuals with hearing loss may perceive sound in ways that are quite distracting. Considering the spatial experience of the hearing impaired, following basic acoustic principles in spatial planning is very important such as correctly distributing noise or sound sources, reduce echo and other sources of background noise.
Light and Color
Hearing impaired people, whose light sensitivity, may experience speech interruptions due to color and light problems. In order to prevent the problems caused by light sensitivity and to increase the quality of use of the place for the hearing impaired individuals, colors contrasting with the skin tones that help the facial expressions and hand movements of other people to be perceived clearly should be preferred and artificial lighting should be provided.
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