March 18 2025

A Guide to VRS Best Practices | Sorenson Communications

Video Relay Service (VRS) is a powerful tool for equitable communication between deaf and hearing people, allowing connection between signed and spoken languages over the phone. The convenience of communication by phone remains an essential aspect of life and society, and — used correctly — VRS makes it easy for deaf and hearing people to have a conversation.VRS is part of the federally funded Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) that enables phone calls between Deaf and hard-of-hearing Americ...

November 6 2024

Accessibility in Sports: Building Economic Power and Innovation for Enterprise

The love of sports transcends cultures and countries. Chances are you know a sports fanatic, or you are one yourself. The collective experience of enjoying a sporting event is palpable, and we revel in the athletic competition and the spectacle.   However, the universal love of sports doesn’t equate to universal design. Attending and enjoying sporting events comes with challenges for diverse sports lovers. Take, for instance, deaf and hard-of-hearing communities and multilingual audiences where...

October 17 2024

Deaf Entrepreneurship: What Enterprises Can Learn from Deaf Businesses About Accessibility and Innovation  - Sorenson

Deaf-owned businesses have been at the forefront of implementing communication technologies and inclusive practices, often out of necessity. These adaptations have not only allowed them to thrive as successful business owners but they have also created accessibility models that can benefit other enterprises.

August 24 2024

Disability, Multiculturalism, and Neurodivergence: The Growing Need for Communication Accessibility in Education | Sorenson Communications

Communication accessibility and inclusion in education remain a significant challenge for U.S. schools. This white paper seeks to aid K-12 and post-secondary educators and administrators in exceeding the minimum communication mandates of students with diverse abilities...

July 31 2024

Affordable Internet Services and Connectivity Solutions

For many of us, daily life revolves around being online: work, school, managing finances, telehealth/medical appointments, and connecting with others. We maintain ties with family and friends through internet access. When we can’t see loved ones in person, we can satisfy the need for social interaction through video calls, email, and social media, thus reducing loneliness and social isolation.  Post COVID, many people have continued to work and learn remotely, so affordable home internet is a ne...

May 17 2024

Improving Accessibility in Emergency Services for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing

First responders are often the first line of defense in
crises, demonstrating the critical need to highlight the challenges that hinder effective
communication between DHH individuals and emergency personnel.

May 7 2024

Social Isolation Among Seniors with Hearing Loss

Social isolation among seniors with hearing loss is a grave issue but with assistive technology — including CaptionCall by Sorenson — it is possible to break down communication barriers and stay connected. Maintaining social connections for seniors contributes to increased health, well-being, and longevity. Embracing modern technology can grant seniors newfound confidence and a higher quality of life.  Sorenson is here to help you take advantage of CaptionCall’s features and benefits.

April 4 2024

The DeafBlind Community and Telecommunications Access

Communication is fundamental to human interaction and belonging. Without it, we would end up confused, frustrated, and lonely. In the U.S., there are approximately 50,000 people who are DeafBlind. The DeafBlind community represents a distinct group that, due to combined hearing and vision loss, presents with a unique set of challenges and experiences when it comes to communication.

February 13 2024

Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) in Healthcare

Imagine that you’re Deaf and you must go to the emergency room. No sign language interpreter is available, so the staff nurse looks for the video remote interpreting (VRI) equipment to set up, but finding the equipment takes two hours. In the interim, the nurse nearly gives you an injection without your knowledge or consent.  This scenario, which happened to Corey Axelrod, drives home the importance of effective communication in healthcare for Deaf and hard-of-hearing people.

January 2 2024

Captioned Phones for Seniors

As we age, communication can become a challenge for many of us. While almost one out of every six American adults have some degree of hearing loss, it’s more prevalent with age. More than 30% of people 65 and older sustain hearing loss, while approximately 40% of those 75 and older experience hearing loss. Adequate communication for seniors with hearing loss is crucial for maintaining strong social connections and emotional well-being.  Captioned phones for seniors can be a lifeline.

December 14 2023

Inclusion in Retail: Upgrading the Retail Environment for Deaf Customers

Inclusion in retail has gained more attention in recent years, thanks to increased focus on diversity and inclusion. More consumers than ever are shopping based on their personal beliefs and values. A recent Accenture study showed that 29 percent of all shoppers are likely to switch to a retailer that embraces diversity and inclusion. But are we doing enough to include Deaf customers?

Nagish • August 22 2023

A Guide for Flying With Hearing Aids

If you have hearing loss, you might be wondering how the flight experience can accommodate you if you wear hearing aids. In this article, we aim to answer some of the most common questions surrounding flying with hearing aids and provide tips for making your flight as stress free as possible.There is good news – you do not have to remove your hearing aids during security checks. The same goes for cochlear implants.

Nagish • August 9 2023

Top 6 Best Small Hearing Aids For 2024

Hearing aids have transformed how people with hearing loss communicate and interact with the world. Small hearing aids have become a popular choice for many. But what are they and why are they becoming so popular?Small hearing aids are discreet and designed for subtlety and comfort. They nestle in or behind the ear. They are nearly invisible. The reason small hearing aids are popular is that a person with hearing loss...

Nagish • July 26 2023

How to Enable Closed Captions on TV and Streaming Services

Closed captioning is an essential accessibility feature that helps people who are deaf and hard of hearing to enjoy TV shows, movies, and other multimedia content. So, what are closed captions? Closed captions are the text that appears on the bottom of the screen that translates spoken dialogue and other audio bits for TV shows, films, videos, and other multimedia content.

Nagish • July 17 2023

Telephone Communication for Deaf People

Communication is the root of all human interaction. Without it, we can’t share our thoughts, emotions, and needs. It’s an essential part of connecting with others.  Despite its significance, telephone communication can be challenging for deaf individuals. Thankfully, technological advances have led to the development of different tools that make telephone communication much more straightforward.

Nagish • July 12 2023

Coping With Tinnitus From Cold Weather

You know that persistent ringing, buzzing, or clicking in your ears or head? That’s tinnitus. Some 740 million people around the world suffer from the same affliction. Tinnitus occurs when you hear sounds that aren’t present, which can impact your quality of life. Tinnitus from cold weather may worsen the buzzing and ringing in the ears.

Nagish • July 5 2023

The Power of Self-Advocacy For Deaf and Hard of Hearing

People who are deaf and hard of hearing face unique challenges in their daily lives because of communication barriers, discrimination, and lack of awareness.  By being vocal and educating others about specific needs and preferences, promoting self-advocacy for deaf people can help tamp down on lack of awareness and discrimination.

Nagish • June 28 2023

13 Famous Deaf People Who Changed the World

Are you familiar with any famous deaf people who’ve made important contributions to history? From composers to athletes, many overcame the challenges of deafness to achieve success in their lives. We explore 13 famous deaf people who have changed the world with their unique accomplishments. The stories behind these incredible people’s lives will show you that disability shouldn’t be a barrier to success.

Nagish • June 21 2023

Finding The Right Hearing Loss Support Group

If you or someone you know has hearing loss, it can be frustrating to communicate with others. A hearing loss support group can provide a sense of community and help prevent isolation and loneliness. In this article, we give you information on how to find a hearing loss support group, and understand the importance and benefits of such support groups.  Hearing loss can have a serious psychological impact on you, and affect your quality of life.

Nagish • June 14 2023

American Deaf Culture: Exploring a Vibrant Community

Deaf culture is unique as it’s not bound to any country or nation, and relies on visual communication and expression. It’s a culture with its own language and values, with a strong sense of community and identity.

Nagish • June 7 2023

Basic Tips On How To Communicate With a Deaf Person | Nagish

If you’re not familiar with how to communicate with a deaf person, you might feel intimidated when you meet one of us for the first time. As a profoundly deaf (since birth) person myself, I appreciate the effort hearing people take to communicate with me. There are some important things to remember, however, before learning about methods of communication used by individuals with hearing loss. It’s normal to feel nervous when approaching a deaf or hard of hearing person.

Next Avenue • May 19 2022

Finding the Best Care for Her Deaf Mother with Dementia

It was in 2009 when MJ Grant, a child of deaf adults (CODA), got the first hint that her mother Carmen's memory was declining. At the time, Carmen was living with and caring for Grant's grandmother, who had dementia.

www.heart.org • July 12 2021

How technology is improving health information access for the deaf community

Early in Dr. Michael McKee's career, one of his patients, who was deaf, died from a heart attack. It led him to study how to prevent it from happening to others.
That tragic event might not have happened, he said, if there had been "accessible community health education programs to allow for deaf individuals to learn ways to improve their health and to recognize common danger signs of serious health conditions."

Next Avenue • March 4 2021

Deaf Caregivers Say Fixing Communication Barriers in Health Care is Long Overdue

It was a fall in the middle of the night in 2012 when my mother's life shifted. She had been suffering from arthritis for many years and when she fell, she was rendered immobile. I was living with her at the time, with my younger brother. As we headed to the hospital, I could sense my life changing.