SDH Subtitles
Clear, accurate SDH subtitles for deaf and hard of hearing audiences
VoiceBox's fully managed SDH subtitle services
From films and streaming content to eLearning, corporate videos and online media, VoiceBox delivers accurate SDH (Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing) that make your content more accessible.
Our team manages the full process, from transcription and timing to speaker identification, sound cues and final quality checks, ensuring every subtitle supports an inclusive viewing experience.
SDH captures the full audio landscape, including sound effects, tone, music and background clues that matter. When crafted properly, they make your content easier to follow, more engaging and genuinely accessible.
At VoiceBox, we take a partnership approach. We learn about your audience, platform and accessibility goals, then create SDH subtitles that are accurate and compliant with accessibility standards.
Contact us today for a free quote or accessibility consultation.
- 98% customer satisfaction
- 220+ language pairs
- End-to-end project management
- Rapid turnaround options
- Trusted by brands across industries
- Full accessibility support
Contact us today for a free quote or accessibility consultation.
You’re in safe hands with VoiceBox
If you’re looking for professional and comprehensible SDH subtitles, you’re in safe hands with VoiceBox. We have been working with global clients to make their content more inclusive. Our knowledgeable team continues to stay on top of the latest accessibility guidelines and development to guarantee our clients are receiving the best possible service.
What are SDH Subtitles?
SDH subtitles are a type of subtitles specially designed for those who may not be able to hear audio.
In contrast to other types of subtitles, SDH subtitles do not assume the viewer can hear the audio of a piece of video content. This means the subtitles will display not only the dialogue, usually indicating the different speakers’ names, but also describe any other aural content, such as background noise, information about songs or off-screen sound effects.
These sounds often add crucial detail about the plot or content of what’s being said. That’s why it is so important to guarantee that they are described for those viewers who would not otherwise hear it. The text typically runs along the bottom of the video screen.
Why is SDH Subtitling important?
Did you know that, worldwide, an estimated 466 million people – or 5% of the population – have hearing loss? What’s more, this figure is expected to surge to 900 million by 2050. Everyone has the right to be able to enjoy, be entertained by and consume video content, not least such a significant proportion of the population. Ensuring you include SDH subtitles in your content is a small investment to make such a huge difference to your audience. Here are three reasons why SDH subtitles are important:
- Boosts accessibility: For the estimated 5% of the world who are deaf or hard of hearing, subtitles ensure they are included in being able to understand and consume content. What’s more, subtitling can also be hugely helpful to those who are neurodiverse and may find they process and digest information more easily if accompanied by subtitles. This a vast potential audience for your content.
- Increases viewership in sound-sensitive environments: Accessibility benefits everyone, not just those who are deaf or hard of hearing. For example, SDH subtitles can ensure that those watching from sound-sensitive environments, such as public transport, the library or offices, can also have a comprehensive viewer experience.
- Breaks down language barriers: SDH subtitles can easily be translated into multiple languages of your choice, enabling a global audience to understand your content.
Our process for SDH subtitling
Our success in delivering SDH subtitles for our clients relies on our straightforward and transparent process. Here are our 5 steps to delivering high-quality subtitles for your project.
- Firstly, you’ll get in touch to discuss your requirements. You will tell us about your project type and any accessibility guidelines or requirements you must fulfil.
- Next, you will send us your completed script, video or multimedia content.
- Leave the rest to us – we will handpick an expert, professional SDH subtitler to create the captions, insert timecodes and sync the captions to the relevant audio. If you require captions in another language, we will bring in one of our network of native-speaking subtitlers to complete the translation.
- Next is our rigorous quality assurance process. We check the captions for grammar, spelling, translation accuracy and synchronisation.
- Then, the finished project will be sent to you for your approval. You’re done!
Interested in a quote for SDH subtitles?
Which types of projects do we cover?
Working in over 220 languages with 2000+ linguists, VoiceBox’s talented network of SDH subtitlers have years of experience across a number of sectors and niches. This means we can always accommodate your project needs. We have provided SDH subtitling for:
- Films, documentaries and TV shows
- Content for streaming services
- Social media content
- eLearning and training courses
- B2B and B2C marketing and advertising
A one-stop shop for your multimedia needs
Did you know that, as an award-winning multimedia agency, VoiceBox also offers a range of other services aside from subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing, such as voice over, multimedia translation, transcription and more?
When you work with us, you can rest assured that one of our talented team members will oversee every aspect of your project from beginning to end, leaving you to deal with the more business-critical tasks. You’ll have one point of contact for your multimedia project, and you can trust that we will liaise with subtitlers, voice over artists and transcribers on your behalf.
What are SDH subtitles?
SDH (Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing) are subtitles that include both spoken dialogue and important audio information, such as sound effects, speaker identification and tone of voice.
They make content more accessible for deaf and hard of hearing audiences.
How are SDH subtitles different from standard subtitles?
Standard subtitles usually show spoken dialogue only.
SDH subtitles provide additional context, including [music], [door closes], [laughter], and who is speaking, which helps viewers follow the full audio experience.
Do you follow accessibility guidelines?
Yes, our SDH subtitles follow accessibility best practice, including WCAG guidance and broadcast standards.
We also follow inclusive language principles to ensure respectful and accurate descriptions of audio.
Can you create SDH subtitles in multiple languages?
We can translate your content and produce subtitles in 220+ language pairs. This includes localising sound cues and speaker tags in a culturally appropriate way.
Do you work with different video formats and platforms?
We accept and deliver all major video formats, and we tailor SDH to the platform you need, whether it’s broadcast, streaming, social media, education or internal comms.
How long does SDH subtitling take?
Turnaround times depend on your video length and complexity, but we offer rapid delivery when needed.
We’ll always give you a clear schedule before work begins.
Can you add SDH subtitles as part of other services?
Yes, we often add SDH subtitles as part of wider accessibility workflows, such as captioning, voice over, audio description or video editing.
VoiceBox: Your go-to subtitling agency
Here are the three reasons why we stand out for our subtitling solutions:
- Versatile: With an experienced team and a trusted network of accessibility specialists, we create SDH subtitles for every sector, platform and content type.
- Collaborative: We work closely with you at every stage: understanding your goals, reviewing your content and ensuring every subtitle is accurate and aligned with accessibility standards. Every client also benefits from a free localisation and accessibility consultation.
- Flexible: Since 2014, we’ve supported clients in the fast-moving world of media and content creation. If your brief, budget or deadline changes, we adapt quickly while maintaining the high quality and consistency your viewers rely on.
