Literature Reviews

Reviewed research papers, articles, and publications relevant to digital accessibility.

• Sona: Towards Context-Aware, Real-Time Personalization of Acoustic Environments for Noise Sensitivity

  Jeremy Zhengqi Huang, Emani Hicks, Sidharth, Gillian R Hayes, Dhruv Jain (2026) — Extended Abstracts of the 2026 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI EA '26)

  Huang and colleagues (University of Michigan and UC Irvine) reframe acoustic accessibility for people with noise sensitivity as selective, user-steerable soundscape mediation rather than wholesale noise cancellation. The authors argue that current co…

  • noise sensitivity
  • misophonia
  • hyperacusis
  • autism
  • neurodivergence
  • acoustic accessibility
  • assistive technology
  • machine learning
  • sensory overload

• Collaboration and Assistive Technology: Facilitating Joint Awareness for Noise Sensitivity

  Emani Hicks, Luc Rieffel, Ariya Gowda, Aehong Min, Gillian R Hayes (2026) — Proceedings of the 2026 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI '26)

  People with noise sensitivity (PWNS) - including those with misophonia, hyperacusis, and tinnitus, and overlapping strongly with the autistic community (estimated 45% prevalence) - experience everyday sounds as painful, distressing, or overwhelming. …

  • noise sensitivity
  • misophonia
  • hyperacusis
  • sensory processing
  • autism
  • neurodivergence
  • wearable technology
  • mobile accessibility
  • assistive technology
  • collaborative care
  • self-regulation
  • technology probe
  • qualitative research

• Investigation into Stress Triggers in Autistic Adults for the Development of Technological Self-Interventions

  John Joseph McGowan, Iain Peter McGregor (2023) — Proceedings of the 25th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2023)

  This paper presents findings from a large-scale online survey of over 200 autistic adults and caregivers, investigating common stress triggers and the role of technology in stress management. The research is the initial phase of a broader project aim…

  • autism
  • stress management
  • sensory processing
  • assistive technology
  • virtual reality
  • augmented reality
  • noise sensitivity
  • wearable technology
  • self-regulation

• Understanding Noise Sensitivity through Interactions in Two Online Autism Forums

  Emani Dotch, Jazette Johnson, Rebecca W. Black, Gillian R Hayes (2023) — Proceedings of the 25th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2023)

  This qualitative study examines how autistic people discuss and manage noise sensitivity by analyzing posts and comments from two online autism forums. Noise sensitivity is one of the most prevalent sensory processing challenges for autistic individu…

  • autism
  • noise sensitivity
  • sensory processing
  • online communities
  • assistive technology
  • neurodiversity
  • qualitative research
  • self-regulation

• MaskSound: Exploring Sound Masking Approaches to Support People with Autism in Managing Noise Sensitivity

  Anna Y Park, Andy Jin, Jeremy Zhengqi Huang, Jesse Carr, Dhruv Jain (2024) — Proceedings of the 26th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2024)

  This paper investigates sound masking as an alternative strategy for helping autistic individuals manage noise sensitivity in everyday environments. Unlike noise cancellation or isolation approaches that block out environmental sounds entirely, sound…

  • autism
  • noise sensitivity
  • sound masking
  • sensory accessibility
  • auditory environment
  • assistive technology
  • participatory design

• Accessibility through Awareness of Noise Sensitivity Management and Regulation Practices

  Emani Dotch, Avery Mavrovounioti, Weijie Du, Elizabeth Ankrah, Jazette Johnson, Aehong Min, Gillian R Hayes (2024) — ASSETS '24: Proceedings of the 26th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility

  This paper investigates how people with noise sensitivity (PWNS) manage and regulate their responses to sound, and identifies opportunities for technology-mediated support. Noise sensitivity — experiencing sounds as disproportionately distressing, pa…

  • noise sensitivity
  • sensory processing
  • neurodiversity
  • self-regulation
  • awareness
  • interdependence
  • collaborative management
  • caregivers
  • assistive technology