4 of the Best Mobile Apps for Individuals with Hearing Loss

Technology has revolutionized the way we communicate with each other. For those who suffer from hearing impairment or deafness, technology has opened up thousands of communication opportunities that were closed before. For example, video conferencing, mobile devices and other innovations have made it possible for those with hearing loss to hold conversations with people without using sign language.

Mobile devices have revolutionized the rules of communication. There are now more mobile devices than people in the world, and over 100 billion apps have been downloaded from the Apple app store alone. To many, games and social media may come to mind when mobile apps are mentioned. However, for people with deafness or a loss of hearing function, some mobile apps can make life easier. Below are some of the best apps for the hearing impaired.

1. Braci

One of the primary concerns of those suffering from deafness or hearing loss is the inability to receive safety warnings, alerts or alarms. The inability to hear could put individuals at risk if they do not have the proper assistance.

An app on a smartphone or other device can ensure that an individual receives crucial notifications quickly. Braci is an app that not only detects sounds related to safety, but also sounds like baby noises or car horns as well. Once it detects the sounds, the app alerts the user to them through visual or sensory notifications. It also claims that it can be synced to wearable devices like the Android Wear, making it even easier and convenient for users.

2. CaptionFish

For those that are hearing impaired, going to the movies can be stressful. Many theaters do not offer movies with subtitles for the hearing impaired. That means that they may spend most of the movie trying to read the characters’ lips, and will likely miss portions because of it. John Hopkins University reports that only 30-40 percent of spoken English may be interpreted through lip reading – and that too under optimal conditions.

CaptionFish is a mobile app that uses your location to search for movie theaters close to you that offer hearing-friendly, closed caption options. It lists the film, date and show times for users.

Hearing Loss Simulator Tool

The hearing loss simulator tool recreates how certain sounds are interpreted by a hearing impaired person. It is one of the apps on the list that is not solely geared towards people with hearing damage. Instead, it aims to help those who have normal hearing better understand what it feels like to be a person who is suffering from hearing loss. The tool can also be used on a computer by visiting the website online.

Sound Meter

You may know that listening to loud music for long periods of time will eventually hurt your ability to hear. However, what many struggle with is determining when the level is too high.

Sound Meter is a mobile app that helps individuals identify when they are in the ear-damaging, noisy environments. Individuals can use their smartphones or tablets to measure the decibels of the noise around them. If the level is too high, the app will send alerts.

When used in smart ways, mobile apps can help improve the quality of life for the deaf and hearing-impaired population. Do you use any mobile apps for hearing assistance? If so, which ones would you recommend?