04/02/2026
Why virtual meetings work better for persons with hearing disabilities
Virtual meetings can be a game-changer for individuals who have hearing loss. Here are a few reasons why:
- Reduced background noise: Virtual meetings often take place in a quieter environment, reducing background noise that can exacerbate hearing difficulties.
- Customizable settings: Many virtual meeting platforms allow users to adjust audio settings, such as volume and frequency, to suit their needs.
- Visual cues: Video conferencing provides visual cues like lip-reading, facial expressions, and subtitles, which can aid understanding.
- Flexibility: Virtual meetings can be recorded, allowing participants to review the discussion at their own pace.
Virtual meetings offer more Access than in-person:
Virtual meetings aren't just convenient – they're a game-changer for accessibility. In a virtual space, everyone has an equal seat at the table.
Best practices for virtual meetings with participants who have hearing loss:
To ensure inclusivity, consider these guidelines
- Check your mic: Ensure your microphone is working properly before joining.
- Camera on: Keep your camera on when speaking to provide visual cues.
- Subtitles on: Use live captions or subtitles to help participants follow along.
- No backlight: Avoid sitting in front of a bright window or light source.
- One speaker at a time: Allow one person to speak at a time to reduce audio overlap.
For peer support contact
Fanie du Toit
Fanie Dreams
www.faniedreams.co.za
Image: Meta AI
www.ncpd.org.za
faniesdreams@gmail.com
