by Neil Bauman, Ph.D.
January 27, 2013
If you have a hearing loss or are deaf, there are a number of cell phone apps that will let you effectively use your cell phone to communicate better. Note: to use these, you must have a smart phone.
At present there are 33 of these apps that you can view and download. Twenty-eight of these are free (or have free versions), one is $0.99 and one is $1.99 so they sure won’t break the bank.
Below are 10 of these apps so you can get an idea of how useful they could be to you in various situations.
IP-Relay: IP-Relay from Purple Communications lets you make and receive text relay calls. These calls are free and do not count against your monthly phone minutes. For iPhone and Android phones.
ntouch: Get video relay service on the go with ntouch. This app from Sorenson Communications turns your Smartphone into an instant videophone. For iPhone and Android phones.
Clear Captions: Like closed captions on your TV, ClearCaptions on your phone calls lets you hear and read what’s being said, eliminating the frustration of hearing on the phone. Instead of asking people to repeat themselves, or guessing what was said, you can read the person’s words while you listen on the call. For iPhone and Android phones.
Skype: Video call and instant message anyone on Skype for free. For iPhone and Android phones. Also works on Mac and PC computers.
Closed Capp: Caption your face-to-face conversations. Speech is enlarged to screen. Closed Capp uses voice recognition software. Have the person speak into your phone and the words they say are transcribed live on the screen of your phone. For Android phones.
ConvoMobile: Enjoy video chat wherever you’re comfortable. ConvoMobile lets you call any videophone and features one-click Video Relay calling. It’s also has a 911 hot button. For iPhone and Android phones.
Dragon Dictate: Dragon Dictate changes voice to captioned text. This allows you to easily speak and instantly see your text or email messages. For iPhones.
Hamilton Mobile CapTel: See exactly what is being said to you on every call with Hamilton Mobile CapTel. This app translates your caller’s words into text captions. For iPhone and Android phones.
CaptionFish: CaptionFish is a captioned-movies search engine that shares information about open captioned, Rear Window captioned, foreign/subtitled, and descriptively narrated movies showings in the United States. CaptionFish also features streaming captioned trailers that allow you to enjoy previews of current and upcoming movies. For iPhones. [Note: Captionfish is shutting down on December 31, 2014. ]
Vibe: Feel who’s calling and texting you with Vibe, This app uses vibration patterns to help you ID callers. Pick a contact and set or create a unique vibration pattern for them—it’s that easy. For Android phones.
I think the link to the apps is broken. The updated link on the Code-Idea.org website seems to be: http://code-idea.org/accessibility-tools/apps.html
Hi Lindsey:
You are right. They moved the URL on me. Thanks for the new correct link. I’ve fixed it now.
Regards
Neil
Hi ~ I have had some theft in our home and need home security… I have hearing loss and we sleep upstairs… I need to buy a phone that will call and alert if there is someone in our home whether we are home or gone… what do you suggest?? thanks… Judy
Hi Judy:
I’m not aware of any kind of burglar alarm systems tied to automatic phone dialing that are available specifically for hard of hearing people. Just go to any of the major alarm system vendors and get an alarm system that meets your needs for security.
Once you have such a system, if you need to be ale to hear it and can’t, then I can probably find you a hard of hearing solution for that problem.
Regards
Neil
How are these providers installed and doI have to have data on my smartphone in order to get one thank you
Hi Ernest:
You get and install these Apps the same way you do any other App for your smart phone. For example, if you have an Apple iPhone, you’d go to the iTunes store, type in the name of the App and then click on the Download button. (If it is a free app, that is all there is to it. If you have to buy it, you have to purchase it before you can download it.)
Once the App is on your phone click on its icon and use it just like any other App you have on your phone. Typically the instructions on how to use a given App are found under the Help button. You don’t have to have any special data on your phone. Some Apps require you to be on-line and others work locally. Most of the Apps mentioned in this article require your phone to be on-line in order to work.
Cordially,
Neil
I talk with a friend that has Parkinsons. I have problems hearing and understanding his words. Which app would you recommend for me to use on my smartphone?
jtemmons45@yahoo.com
Hi Janice:
The best solution is for you friend to use a voice-amplified phone to boost his voice volume at HIS end. This should give you much better volume and hopefully better clarity at your end.What he needs is a phone such as this one at http://hearinglosshelp.com/shop/serene-innovations-hd-40s-outgoing-voice-amplified-phone/
Cordially,
Neil
Hello,
We have an employee who has a major hearing impairment. She tried getting a phone from Sprint that would allow her to receive captions. The person helping her was very rude and her answer was to use text. Are clear captions or Hamilton Mobile viable options?
Hi Russ:
I’d certainly check out Clear Captions. I have it on my phone, but I have almost never used it. One thing I don’t like about Clear Captions is that you have to have a special phone number for anyone to call you on that is different from your cell phone number. So that is a bit of a pain–but apart from that, it works great according to the people I’ve talked to that use it all the time.
I don’t have experience with Hamilton on my cell phone, but I’d certainly check them out and see what they are like. Surely, they won’t be worse than the experience your employee has already gone through. So things can only look up.
Cordially,
Neil
I’m looking for an app I’m hearing impaired but is there an app for the caller to use texting and for say me to be able to respond with my voice
Hi Darlene:
There are a number of Apps that help hard of hearing people. If someone is phoning you on your cell phone, you can get the InnoCaption App. The talk to you as normal and you see their words on your phone’s screen. Then you talk back to them normally. So that works for phone calls.
There is another App I’ve used that allows two or more people to use their phones to carry on a conversation whether they are together in a group or spread over the world. One person starts up the app and forms a “group” then invites the others to use the same app and put in the new group code. Then they talk into their phones and what they say is shown on all the phone’s screens in that group along with the person’s name so you know who said what. This app is free. It is called the “Microsoft Translator” App.
Not only does it work well for hard of hearing people, you can also use it for a bunch of various languages (60 at the present time) so if you speak English and a hard of hearing friend speaks German for example, you can speak English into your phone and your friend will see your words captioned in German. Cool. Unfortunately, this app only works on iPhones/iPads at this time as far as I know.
Cordially,
Neil
I need an app for closed captioning where I don’t have to change my phone number. I only have a cell phone, not a landline.
Hi Sue:
Get the new InnoCaption app. They changed it from the old way where you had to have a special phone number. That is no longer the case. Now you keep your old number.
Cordially,
Neil
After 73 years of quiet, I have recently found that I can partially join the world of sound with a phone. First I came across Hamilton & Sprint web captel. These seem to be be restricted to the use with a computer, or, i Pad. making them useless outside the home, or, require carrying an iPad when away from home. More searching online brought up a number of Apps that appear to do the same thing, but, are restricted to the phone. The phone would be used for calls, and one on one conversations; the computer for other needs. What would you recommend in the way of Apps that would me to make calls and see what is said in conversations.
Inno Captions and Closed Captions?
Hi Jerome:
InnoCaptions is the best as you have live captioners doing the captions–thus they are more accurate than the “robo-captions” that everyone else uses. InnoCaptions is just for use on cell phones.
Cordially,
Neil
I have Hamilton. You also need a special number for calls. That is very inconvenient for business calls.
Hi, I am totally deaf in one ear. I had a cross years ago without much success. What can you recommend for me?
Thanks
Hi Michael:
You might want to consider one of the modern versions of CROS aids and see how you like them. You also might want to consider the BAHA (bone-anchored hearing aid). They are basically CROS aids via bone conduction. A good number of people like theirs. So if you have normal hearing in your good ear, that might be the best solution at this time.
Cordially,
Neil