Project description
Bridging the sensory gap to promote VR experiences for the deaf
Many people find solace and cognitive rejuvenation in nature’s sights and sounds, a benefit now extendable through virtual reality (VR). However, deaf and hard-of-hearing (HoH) individuals are often excluded from these restorative experiences because they rely on auditory stimuli. This exclusion highlights a gap in making these calming technologies accessible to all. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the ReSens-Nature project seeks to bridge this gap by developing an innovative VR environment that integrates vibrotactile and visual cues to replicate nature sounds for deaf/HoH users. The project will assess whether this sensory supplementation can deliver restorative benefits comparable to those experienced by hearing individuals.
Objective
Exposure to nature and its sounds can relieve from stress, promote relaxation, and restore cognition. These restorative benefits persist even with exposure to Virtual Reality (VR) of nature and its calming sounds. It is the combination of visual and auditory exposure to these VR environments and their sounds that promotes restorative effects for hearing people. This means that Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (HoH) people may be excluded from being able to receive the same restorative benefits that hearing people receive. Evidence shows that there can be cross-modal transfer in HoH people, whereby speech and sounds can be perceived and understood through vibrations on the skin or can be localised via visual cues in VR technologies.
Through the ‘ReSens-Nature’ project, the Fellow will develop a novel VR experience, through which he will examine the restorative effects of vibrotactile and visual sensory supplementation of nature sounds in VR nature environments for Deaf/ HoH people. The objectives are to (i) Develop and establish the usability of this novel VR nature environment that uses vibrotactile and visual supplementation of nature sounds, (ii) Examine whether this novel VR nature environment is providing restorative benefits to Deaf/ HoH people in comparison to a regular VR nature environment without sensory supplementation and in comparison to hearing people. Understanding the effects of sensory supplementation for Deaf/ HoH in VR nature environments could help make VR and other technologies more inclusive for Deaf/ HoH people and people with other disabilities.
The project will be completed at the GET Lab of Cyprus University of Technology, a world-leading lab on VR technology and Wellbeing. The Fellow will bring highly complementary expertise in Deafness, Audiology, and Clinical Trials. The proposed work will advance the Fellow’s research and management skills, expand his research networks, and enhance the development of his career as an independent researcher.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01
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3036 Lemesos
Cyprus
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.