Glosary
Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
What Is SDH?
SDH, or subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing, refers to subtitles that provide additional information beyond spoken dialogue to make video content accessible to viewers who cannot hear the audio. In addition to speech, SDH subtitles may include sound cues, speaker identification, and descriptions of important audio elements.
SDH helps ensure that video content is accessible and understandable for a wider audience.
How SDH Works
SDH subtitles include both spoken dialogue and relevant sound information.
Dialogue Subtitles All spoken dialogue is displayed as text on screen.
Sound Descriptions Important non-speech sounds, such as music or background noise, may be described.
Speaker Identification Subtitles may indicate which character or speaker is talking.
Accessibility Formatting Formatting helps viewers distinguish between dialogue and sound descriptions.
Benefits of SDH
SDH subtitles improve accessibility and viewer understanding.
- Makes video content accessible to deaf and hard of hearing viewers
- Provides context for important audio elements
- Improves overall comprehension of video content
- Supports accessibility standards and guidelines
- Expands audience reach
SDH in Multimedia Content
SDH subtitles are commonly used in television, streaming media, educational content, and online video platforms. They are an important accessibility feature that helps ensure content can be understood by diverse audiences.
LILT’s AI-powered translation platform helps organizations create and manage multilingual content, including subtitles and translated media content, to support global audiences.