SDH vs CC: Unraveling the Differences Between Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing and Closed Captions

SDH vs. Closed Captions: Understanding the Differences for Accessible Media

Digital content is everywhere today. As more people turn to online media, making videos, TV shows, and movies accessible matters more than ever. Subtitles and closed captions help millions understand audio content, especially people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or watching in noisy places.

What Are SDH and Closed Captions?

If you want to make your media accessible, you need to understand SDH and closed captions. Although both provide text alternatives for audio, they do not work in the same way or serve the exact same audience.

• SDH (Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing): Include dialogue and also describe sounds, music, and speaker identification.
• Closed Captions (CC): Mostly show spoken words, making it easier for people to follow dialogue without sound.

Both options boost accessibility and help a wider audience understand your content.

SDH Subtitles: What Are They?

SDH stands for "Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing." These subtitles give viewers more than just words spoken on screen. SDH adds extra audio details, making the viewing experience more complete for those who cannot hear everything.

SDH subtitles often include:

• Background noise descriptions, like [door slams] or [thunder rumbling]
• Music cues, such as [upbeat music playing]
• Speaker labels when the voice is off-camera or unclear
• Emotional context, for example, [whispers] or [shouts]

SDH subtitles are important for people with any level of hearing loss. They also help those who need to rely on lip-reading but want extra context for environmental sounds and music.

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, about 15% of American adults report some trouble hearing (2022).

What Are Closed Captions?

Closed captions, typically labeled as "CC," are another way to help viewers follow video or audio content. Unlike SDH, closed captions focus almost entirely on spoken language.

• Closed captions display only what the actors or speakers say.
• Some implementations do include brief sound descriptions, but these are rare in standard closed captions.
• Viewers have the option to turn closed captions on or off as needed.

Closed captions help not only people who are deaf or hard of hearing, but also viewers:

• Learning a new language
• Watching content in a noisy place (coffee shop, gym, airport)
• Who prefer to watch videos without sound

If you want a simple transcript of what is said on-screen, closed captioning services may fit your needs.

Major Differences: SDH vs. Closed Captions

While both SDH and closed captions serve similar purposes, there are several important differences to consider:

• Audio Description: SDH includes non-speech sounds and speaker IDs; closed captions often only show spoken words.
• Format: SDH is often used on DVDs, Blu-rays, and streaming services. Closed captions are common for TV broadcasts.
• User Experience: SDH offers a much richer context for viewers with hearing loss, while closed captions focus on the dialogue.
• Flexibility: Both SDH and closed captions can be turned on or off on most devices.

Some streaming platforms, like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, let you pick between SDH and regular captions. This allows viewers to choose the level of accessibility they need.

When Should You Use SDH or Closed Captions?

Choosing between SDH and closed captions depends on your audience and your content's goals:

• For General Accessibility: Closed captions are often enough for schools, YouTube, conferences, and business uses.
• For Maximum Inclusion: Use SDH if your viewers are deaf or hard of hearing, or if your content relies heavily on sound effects and music for context.
• For Legal Compliance: Many regulations require one or both options for TV, film, or online video distribution.

In 2023, the World Health Organization reported over 1.5 billion people worldwide experience some degree of hearing loss (2023). Making your videos accessible helps you reach more people and follow accessibility laws in many countries.

Related Accessibility Tools and Services

There are many ways to make your media content more accessible:

• Transcription services provide text versions of audio and video content.
• Automated transcription can speed up the process using AI.
• AI transcription subscriptions offer ongoing, scalable options for regular content uploads.
• Closed captioning boosts accessibility for broadcast and online platforms.
• Subtitling services can add translations for international viewers.
• Text translation services break language barriers further.
• See transcription pricing and captioning rates to get started.

How to Make Your Content More Accessible

Here are simple steps for improving accessibility:

• Include SDH for videos with important non-verbal sound information.
• Use closed captions for dialogue-focused content.
• Check your platform’s requirements—some may mandate specific formats.
• Consider transcription proofreading services to ensure accuracy.
• Order SDH subtitles or closed captions directly for easy upload (order captions or order transcription).

Conclusion: Choose the Right Solution for Your Needs

Understanding the difference between SDH and closed captions helps you pick the best option for your audience. SDH adds full sound context for the deaf and hard of hearing, while closed captions focus on transcribing dialogue.

Using professional subtitling services and captioning tools ensures your content is accessible and compliant. GoTranscript offers reliable solutions for closed captioning, SDH subtitling, transcription, and translations. Start making your media more inclusive today.