IVR Accessibility -- Hard of Hearing users

Audio quality

The audio quality may be too low for users.  That is, the IVR may not record or play back highly intelligible speech, or the network may be reducing the audio quality too much.

Distracting or confusing audio

IVR content providers should not add background sounds or music that make it harder to understand the messages.

Speech synthesis

Low-quality synthesized speech may be hard to understand.

Repeat and "rewind"

Hard of hearing users would benefit from an ability to replay the most recent few seconds of a message, to confirm what they heard. Most systems already allow users to repeat an entire message.

IVRs with screen-based features

Hard of hearing users would benefit from any information displayed, such as visual notification of menu options, as it provides them with additional information about what they are hearing.

Multiple disabilities

Many people who are hard of hearing also have a visual impairment.

Preparation, training, and end user documentation

All audible materials such as voice mailbox set-up and administration should be in high quality audio.

 

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