The acoustic environment in a building should be suitable for its intended function for all building users. This includes all hearing people especially the hard of hearing. For deaf and hard of hearing people, good lighting is essential to understand the sign language interpreter and/or optical information devices. Many people with some degree of hearing loss have assistive devices to amplify sound, such as hearing aids or cochlear implants.
However, if the acoustic environment is not supportive of these devices, they do not work effectively. In addition, many people who have a mild or temporary hearing loss and do not have assistive devices may not be able to access information or communicate effectively. Most people with hearing loss and people without hearing loss rely on sight to lip read or interpret facial expressions; therefore where the acoustic environment is regarded as important, suitable lighting, colour and visual contrast should be considered to benefit all building users.
Information normally conveyed in visual form may not be accessible to people who are blind or partially sighted. This information should also be conveyed audibly; the clarity (speech transmission index) of this information is affected by the acoustic environment.
The following design considerations should be taken into account to maximize the functionality of the acoustic environment, and to support the use of assistive devices.