Technology is a remarkable thing. Every day new developments, gadgets, devices and discoveries are made which have the potential to change the world as we know it. For the deaf and hard of hearing, transcription devices, captioning, amplified phones, bluetooth and of course, hearing aids, are breaking down key communication barriers that can inhibit the lives of many.
As firm believers in the power of technology to transform the lives of people who are deaf or hard of hearing, Deaf Unity enlisted the help of blogger, Ellie Parfitt, to round up the best apps for deaf people. Here’s a snapshot of the fantastic gadgets and tools out there:
Glide – Video Chat Messenger
Glide is a deaf person’s favourite. The famous video messaging app allows you to send super fast videos up to 5 minutes long, and completely hands-free! Other elements include group chats and uploading videos to social media. It’s great for those who use BSL. (Requires 3G/wifi).
Available on both iOS and Android. Find out more about Glide.
SoundHound and Shazam
These are brilliant apps for deaf music lovers! If you hear a song that you like on the radio or at a concert, these apps instantly recognise it and will stream live lyrics to your device. It’s a great way for deaf people to get involved at parties/concerts and to learn the words to new songs quickly and easily.
Both aps are available on iOS and Android. Find out more about SoundHound and Shazam.
Interpreter Now
This is an instant video-relay app specifically designed for BSL users who can’t use the phone. Similar to NGTS, using any ordinary phone, BSL users can communicate with others via a qualified BSL interpreter, with no need for any extra equipment. (Requires 3G/wifi)
Interpreter Now is available on both iOS and Android devices.
Notes
The Notes app is usually installed on a smartphone, but it’s really handy for deaf people! If you’re in a noisy environment and can’t quite hear what the person you’re talking to is saying, get them to type it on this app. It’s also good for BSL users who want to communicate with non-signers if an interpreter isn’t around.
Entertainment Apps
There aren’t many on demand apps which have subtitles, which is why Action on Hearing Loss are doing the ‘Subtitle It’ campaign. However, Netflix and BBC iPlayer are leading the way in providing an accessible video, TV and film viewing experience with subtitles.
Netflix and BBC iPlayer are available on both iOS and Android.
Mobile Banking Apps
Mobile banking is great for deaf people who can’t use the phone, or who don’t like the hassle of going into a bank and trying to communicate with someone behind the screen. Mobile banking apps are practical for checking balances and transferring money in a few simple steps, without the need to make any calls or speak to anyone directly. Many banks offer free downloads on iOS and Android devices. (Requires 3G/wifi).
Travel Apps – Waze & National Rail
Travelling and using public transport can be tricky for the deaf and hard of hearing. It can be a nightmare catching travel updates, listening out for announcements or even trying to find the information screens. Travel apps such as Waze and National Rail are simple to use, and provide all the information you need on demand, so you can travel confidently and safely, absolutely anywhere.
Find out more about Waze – the world’s largest community-based navigation app – and download National Rail on your mobile device now to make your train journeys easier.
NGTS (Next Generation Text Service)
This is a fantastic app for helping deaf and hard of hearing people to communicate over the phone via a text relay assistant. NGTS is especially handy for using at work and can be tailored to meet your specific communication needs. You can choose from type and read, speak and read, type and hear, speak and hear options, and it’s really simple to use.
Find out more about NGTS.
Inclusive Britain
This app has a variety of information about places in the UK that are accessible for disabled people. It allows you to search for venues, such as hotels, nature reserves and tourist attractions which might have assistive technology such as hearing loops and flashing fire alarms to make communication and getting around easier. The must-have app for travelling around Britain.
Find out more about Inclusive Britain app.
Skype – Voice Calls, Video Calls & Instant Messages
This is a free to use, video calling app with instant messaging. It’s really handy for deaf and hard of hearing people, because you are always facing the person you’re talking to, and if you mishear what the person says, they can type it into a chat box whilst on the call. (Requires 3G/4G/wifi).
Available on both iOS and Android. Find out more about Skype.
Would you like to write an article for Deaf Unity to spread awareness and provide tips to the deaf community? Contact our editor, Tamara at tamara.marshall@deafunity.org with your ideas today!
Hi,
BSL have Intperter now app? What about ASL ?
Thank you.
Hi Shannon
Thanks for your comment. You might find this article useful for information on ASL apps: http://www.healthyhearing.com/report/47829-The-best-apps-for-learning-sign-language
Hi
Could anyone recommend any system that would help deaf people to use their sign and simultaneously get the text?
Thanks for any suggestion.
AKEL
Hi,
My father has recently gone from being partially deaf to totally deaf and having to write everything down when trying to have a conversation is very tedious, Is there an app that allows a user to speak into their phone and the words appear on the screen?
Thanks
There’s an app called Ava. I hope this helps
Modern hearing aids boost specific frequencies for each user.
Is there software to do this for recorded sound.p played on iPhones and the like?
Could it actually work with sound from an iPhone mike direct to the iPhone earpieces and replace a deaf aid?
Hi I’m 14 and I’ve been half deaf but recently gone completely deaf and they said I’ll never get it back. I can sign a little bit and read lips a little bit but I was woudneirng if Their was a app that tells u what people are saying I’m a phone call conversation cause my mum can’t really text so we used to call each other cause it was easier but I can’t hear thank u. Also is there a app where people can talk into your phone and it comes up words ?? Thanks
Hiya. I was just thinking about this same question. If you google “speech to text app” you will find some options for phones. I don’t know which one is best, but I hope that helps.
My mother gone same case as your father,, we start to use speechnote really handy.
Jorja, I am wondering the same thing. Speechnote mentioned above doesn’t solve this (for me, anyway). How can I talk to my recently-deaf father on the phone, and have him read it as text? There is some kind of phone-company application for this in the U.S., but we’re in Canada and we don’t have it. Advice from anyone, please? Poor Dad, his world would open up a lot if he could use the phone again!
There is an android media player app that goes by the name of VibePlayer. This app has a technology that allows people to create vibration data for sound in audio / video files. People can use this app to create vibration data and deaf people can benefit from that.
Hi, I recommend using the Make it big Android app, easy to use and highly appreciated by the Deaf community users. Try it and leave a feedback, we are trying to improve the app to become more useful to all users! https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.suspedeal.makeitbig
Hi, you can use RogerVoice for phoning. Incoming calls are converted to text you read. You can either reply with your voice or by texting. If the latter, the person calling hears a synthesised voice speak what you have texted. I tried it and it works. Your service provider needs to allow call forwarding to transfer all your calls from your phone number to the Roger voice number.
On conversations you can use something like Word and link it to voice command – it is pretty good.
AVA is not that great….
Does anyone know of an alarm clock app for windows 10 for the deaf, Something that will make the screen flicker or some other noticeable visual aide?
Hi, I’m looking for a device that I and my husband can carry or put on our wrists. This way I can always talk to him. He is deaf . Right now I’m using my phone but I can’t get him to tell when the phone I got him, is vibrating or ringing.
NGST is NOT available to deaf people in the USA, that should be published in their ads ! VERY misleading to a deaf person in the US !
I’m a supervisor and have a meeting at the being of each shift, I have a deaf coworker, who miss out on the conversation. Is there an app that would allow me to talk to the group or him and it will come up on his phone
I’ve just recently become deaf – one week ago. Today one of my co-workers found a $15 app for iPhone called “Visual Hear iOS App” which is going to save everyone trying to communicate with me from having to scribble down what they need. I think it will help my wife a lot because she feels so obligated to write everything down for me. I know it’s not free, but it is worth a look – they have a free trial period. It’s easy to use too. Hope this helps someone!
Google text to speech works great and it’s already on almost every phone ..
there are several apps for phone conversations and music I found with a quick Google search ..
also ..
just released ..
https://www.mobihealthnews.com/content/google-unveils-two-new-apps-support-communication-deaf-and-hard-hearing-people
good luck, luv
【ᴍ】
Being rather new at being deaf, I was immediately pleased with Visual Hear on my iPhone. However, we found an app for my wife’s Android that seems to be seriously good called Live Transcribe, and I’m considering moving to that platform because of it. It’s free. It really does well, and my wife won’t use my iphone anymore. Please have a look – it really does work like the demo shows.
https://www.android.com/accessibility/live-transcribe/
deaf communication app is good,it converts speech to text,the best thing about it is that unlike google transcribe it does not keep on transcribing,after get get one output and then go for the next(so that your phone screen doesn’t look like an book),it deletes the previous output,so its better for conversation based app
plus its free and contains no ads
Deaf Communication – Apps on Google Play (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pack1.deafcommunication&fbclid=IwAR1BiITmZG8iwqrhXbc8B5BIJ8dzpUE3MUrbSc4wnbC3KoJzOF6YVBexh9U)
Is there an app for radio programs coming up on my iPad or smart phone written so I can read what is being said as I am profoundly deaf and can only catch the odd word.
Musixmatch is from the app. I bought the few musics few years ago. The subtitles were very good but it is changing you could edit the music by yourself but I can’t do it because I am profoundly deaf. Please let me to know the subtitles automatically please.