Utilization of Detection of Non-Speech Sound for Sustainable Quality of Life for Deaf and Hearing-Impaired People: A Systematic Literature Review

Several assistive technologies (ATs) have been manufactured and tested to alleviate the challenges of deaf or hearing-impaired people (DHI). One such technology is sound detection, which has the potential to enhance the experiences of DHI individuals and provide them with new opportunities. However, there is a lack of sufficient research on using sound detection as an assistive technology, specifically for DHI individuals. This systematic literature review (SLR) aims to shed light on the application of non-verbal sound detection technology in skill development for DHI individuals. This SLR encompassed recent, high-quality studies from the prestigious databases of IEEE, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science from 2014 to 2023. Twenty-six articles that met the eligibility criteria were carefully analyzed and synthesized. The findings of this study underscore the significance of utilizing sound detection technology to aid DHI individuals in achieving independence, access to information, and safety. It is recommended that additional studies be conducted to explore the use of sound detection tools as assistive technology, to enhance DHI individual’s sustainable quality of life.