In this study, the viewing habits of deaf and hearing adults are investigated using eye
tracking while they watched interpreted news broadcasts. The study shows that deaf viewers
primarily focus on the interpreter and secondarily access picture material, but make
very little use of subtitles or lip-reading. In contrast, hearing viewers prioritise pictorial
content but also spend significant proportions of time examining subtitles, lip-reading and
even watching the interpreter. Viewing patterns are dependent on pictorial information
density rather than comprehension. The study confirms the precedence of the interpreter as
primary source for deaf viewers, but also questions the efficiency of subtitling as an alternative
information source for deaf viewers if an interpreter is present.