Sensory Disability
Cochlear implant
Surgically implanted device that bypasses damaged inner ear structures and directly stimulates the auditory nerve to provide sound perception for severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss.
- Hardware
- Deafness
AccessLife
Tool Guide
Explore assistive devices and apps by disability and need. Use the filters to find tools that can support daily life, learning, communication and independence.
Developed by the AccessLife Team and the UNESCWA Disability Rights Team. We extend our gratitude to our core partner AGFUND.
Explore the Assistive Devices Dashboard (opens in a new tab)
Sensory Disability
Bone anchored hearing aid
Hearing device that transmits sound through bone conduction to the inner ear, used for conductive hearing loss, single-sided deafness, or when hearing aids cannot be worn.
- Hardware
- Hard of hearing
Sensory Disability
Receiver in canal hearing aid
Hearing aid with the receiver inside the ear canal and main body behind the ear, offering a discreet fit and natural sound quality.
- Hardware
- Hard of hearing
Sensory Disability
Behind the ear hearing aid
Behind-the-ear device connected to an earmold or dome in the ear canal, suitable for mild to profound hearing loss and known for durability.
- Hardware
- Hard of hearing
Sensory Disability
In the ear hearing aid
Custom hearing aid fitting the outer ear and concha area, used for mild to severe hearing loss and easier to insert than smaller styles.
- Hardware
- Hard of hearing
Sensory Disability
Inside the canal hearing aid
Small custom hearing aid fitting partly inside the ear canal, less visible than ITE models and typically suited for mild to moderate hearing loss.
- Hardware
- Hard of hearing
Sensory Disability
Completely in canal hearing aid
Very small custom hearing aid fitting deep inside the ear canal, nearly invisible and usually used for mild to moderate hearing loss.
- Hardware
- Hard of hearing
Sensory Disability
Noise-level meter apps
Apps that measure environmental sound intensity in decibels using a phone microphone, helping users monitor loudness and avoid harmful noise exposure.
- Software
- Auditory processing disorders
Sensory Disability
Transcription apps
Apps that convert speech into real-time written text or captions, supporting communication in conversations, lectures, meetings, and phone calls.
- Software
- Auditory processing disorders
Sensory Disability
Soundprint apps
Apps where users rate and view noise levels in public places, helping people choose quieter environments and improving awareness of sound accessibility.
- Software
- Auditory processing disorders
Sensory Disability
Auditory training apps
Apps that improve listening and speech understanding through structured hearing exercises, helping users recognize speech, sounds, and words, especially in noisy environments.
- Software
- Auditory processing disorders
Sensory Disability
Speech-generating devices
Electronic AAC devices that let users select words, symbols, or letters and produce spoken output for individuals with limited or no functional speech.
- Hardware
- Speech impairments
Sensory Disability
AAC tablets
Electronic AAC devices or apps that produce spoken output using symbols, text, phrase banks, predictive text, or text-to-speech for users with limited speech.
- Hardware
- Software
- Non-verbal communication needs
- Speech impairments
Sensory Disability
Articulation therapy software
Digital programs that support speech sound practice through exercises, audio models, games, and feedback, often used by therapists for articulation disorders.
- Software
- Speech impairments
Sensory Disability
Picture Exchange Communication System
Structured AAC method where users communicate by handing pictures or symbols to request or express needs, commonly used with autism or developmental delays.
- Hardware
- Software
- Non-verbal communication needs
- Speech impairments
Sensory Disability
Eye-gaze systems
Eye-tracking AAC systems where users select symbols or words by looking at a screen, producing speech for individuals with severe physical limitations.
- Hardware
- Non-verbal communication needs
Sensory Disability
Switch-access devices
Switch-access tools that let users operate AAC devices, computers, or wheelchairs through small movements, often combined with scanning systems.
- Hardware
- Non-verbal communication needs
Sensory Disability
Delayed Auditory Feedback devices
Delayed auditory feedback devices that replay the user’s voice with a slight delay to support fluency and reduce stuttering.
- Hardware
- Stuttering
Sensory Disability
Fluency ear devices
Wearable fluency devices that use delayed feedback, frequency-altered feedback, or masking noise to modify speech perception and support stuttering management.
- Hardware
- Stuttering
Sensory Disability
Metronome/pacing tools
Rhythm or pacing devices and apps that provide a steady beat to guide speech timing, improving fluency and intelligibility.
- Hardware
- Software
- Stuttering
Sensory Disability
Voice amplifiers
Portable voice amplifiers that increase vocal loudness using a microphone and speaker, helping reduce strain and improve communication.
- Hardware
- Voice disorders
Sensory Disability
Electrolarynx
Handheld electrolarynx device that creates vibration-based sound for speech, typically used after laryngectomy.
- Hardware
- Voice disorders
Sensory Disability
Tracheoesophageal speech devices
Speech method after laryngectomy using a tracheoesophageal puncture and voice prosthesis to redirect air and create more natural-sounding speech.
- Hardware
- Voice disorders
Sensory Disability
Voice banking systems
Voice banking technology that records a person’s voice to create a library for later use in AAC or speech-generating devices.
- Software
- Voice disorders
