Robots Facilitating Communication in Individuals Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
摘要
Use of robots in therapeutic and educational programs is expanding, offering promising opportunities for more effective solutions in the future. Robotics have the potential to enhance lives of people with disabilities by providing educational and emotional support, communication facilitation, everyday activities assistance. Hearing loss may have a significant impact on communication by affecting sounds perception, speech and language development, interpersonal relationships, academic achievement, and emotional well-being. However, people who are deaf or hard of hearing may effectively manage these challenges and enhance their communication skills by supporting interventions, including robotics. To explore the role of robotics in improving communication among people who are deaf or hard of hearing, this study conducts a scientific literature review. A comprehensive search in multiple academic databases was conducted. Six research questions were formulated to guide the literature review. The publications’ inclusion and exclusion criteria were predefined. In the studies evaluated, robots were employed to support and improve verbal and nonverbal communication. The analysis revealed that robots are mostly used for therapeutic purposes. Use of robots for everyday activities and entertainment is also notable, though less common. This indicates a potential area for further study.