How do I turn on my Android Sound Amplifier?
What is Sound Amplifier?
Sound Amplifier is an app developed by Google to help people with mild to moderate hearing loss hear more clearly. It works by amplifying sounds and filtering out background noise. According to the Google Play store, Sound Amplifier “makes everyday conversations and surrounding sounds more accessible among people who are hard of hearing, using just your Android phone and wired headphones or earbuds.”
The app uses your phone’s microphone to increase quiet sounds while reducing loud sounds that can be uncomfortable. It allows you to customize the amplification and noise reduction to suit your specific needs. Sound Amplifier can amplify sounds up to 70 decibels, which is approximately 10 times louder than normal.
Sound Amplifier works with both wired headsets and Bluetooth headsets. This makes it a convenient accessibility tool for those with mild to moderate hearing loss who want to better hear conversations, TV, and other sounds around them.
Is My Device Compatible?
To use Sound Amplifier, your Android device needs to be running Android 9 or later. Most modern Android smartphones and tablets are compatible. Some popular models known to work well with Sound Amplifier include:
– Samsung Galaxy S9 and newer [1]
– Google Pixel 3 and newer [2]
– OnePlus 6 and newer
– LG G7 and newer
– Motorola Moto G7 and newer
In general, if your device is from 2018 or later and runs Android 9 or above, Sound Amplifier should work fine. Just make sure you have the latest OS updates installed.
[1] https://support.google.com/accessibility/android/answer/9157755?hl=en
[2] https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.accessibility.soundamplifier&hl=en_US&gl=US
Enable Accessibility Settings
In order to use Sound Amplifier, you first need to enable Accessibility settings on your Android device. Accessibility allows apps like Sound Amplifier to modify your device’s audio and display for accessibility purposes.
To enable Accessibility:
- Open the Settings app on your device.
- Tap “Accessibility”.
- Turn on “Accessibility”. You may need to tap a button to enable it.
Enabling Accessibility allows Sound Amplifier and other accessibility apps to work properly. You’ll need Accessibility enabled before you can start using Sound Amplifier.
Install the App
To use Sound Amplifier on your Android device, you’ll first need to install the app from the Google Play Store. You can find Sound Amplifier by searching for it directly in the Play Store app or by clicking this link from your Android device: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.accessibility.soundamplifier&hl=en_US&gl=US
Once you open the Sound Amplifier page in the Play Store, tap the “Install” button. The app is free to download. After tapping install, accept any permissions or access requests that pop up in order to fully install the app.
And that’s it! The app will download and you’ll now have Sound Amplifier installed on your Android device, ready to launch whenever you need it.
Set Up Your Headphones
The Sound Amplifier app works with both wired and Bluetooth wireless headphones. If using Bluetooth headphones, make sure they are paired and connected to your Android device before opening the Sound Amplifier app. You can check your Bluetooth connections by pulling down the Quick Settings panel and looking for the Bluetooth icon.
To connect new Bluetooth headphones, tap and hold the Bluetooth icon in the Quick Settings panel to open Bluetooth settings. Put your headphones in pairing mode and select them from the available devices list. Your headphones name should appear in the Paired Devices list once connected. Refer to your headphone manufacturer’s instructions if you need help pairing.
For wired headphones, plug them into your device’s headphone jack and make sure they are fully inserted. You may need to set your phone to recognize the wired connection by going to Settings > Connected Devices > Connection preferences and selecting “Wired” as the preferred audio source.
With either wired or wireless headphones connected, you are ready to start using Sound Amplifier to boost your audio experience.
Open the App
Once you’ve installed Sound Amplifier from the Google Play Store, you’ll see a new app icon on your home screen that looks like a blue volume knob. This is the Sound Amplifier app icon. Simply tap on this icon to open the Sound Amplifier app.
The Sound Amplifier app allows you to amplify sounds and filter background noise. Opening the app is the first step to using its sound enhancement features. The app has a simple interface with just a few main controls to get started.
If you don’t see the Sound Amplifier app icon after installing, try searching your apps. It may have been added to a folder or alternate home screen. The icon should resemble a blue volume knob similar to the app icon displayed on the Google Play listing.
Once you locate the Sound Amplifier app, tap on it to open it up and begin using its sound amplification and audio enhancement capabilities.
Choose Your Settings
Once you open the Sound Amplifier app, you can customize the settings based on your specific hearing needs. There are a few key options to adjust:
Volume Boost: This allows you to amplify the volume beyond your device’s maximum level. You can boost up to +20dB.
Noise Reduction: Enabling this will reduce background noise for a clearer listening experience. You can adjust the noise reduction level from low to high depending on your environment.
Fine Tuning: Use the equalizer to fine tune specific frequency ranges. For example, you may want to boost high frequencies if you have high frequency hearing loss.
L/R Balance: Adjust the balance between the left and right channels if you experience unilateral hearing loss.
The great thing about Sound Amplifier is you can create multiple profiles with different settings and switch between them as needed. Take some time to test different configurations so you can customize it perfectly for your hearing.[1]
Start Amplifying
Once you have the Sound Amplifier app open, you’re ready to start using it to amplify sounds around you. Simply tap the Start button at the bottom of the app screen to begin the amplification process [1]. This will activate your phone’s microphone and send amplified audio to your connected headphones.
As sounds come through your headphones, you can adjust the amplification settings as needed for your environment. Drag the sliders for Boost, Fine-tuning, and Noise reduction to tweak the amplification level and filter out background noise. The app will remember your most recent settings so you can quickly get back to your preferred levels next time you open Sound Amplifier.
Don’t forget to tap the Start button again to turn off amplification when you no longer need it. Enjoy using this accessibility tool to make conversations and ambient sounds louder and clearer!
Add Widget
You can add a Sound Amplifier widget to your Android home screen for quick access to the app and its controls. Here’s how:
1. On your home screen, long press on an empty area.
2. Tap the “+” icon to add a widget.
3. Scroll down and select the “Sound Amplifier” widget.
4. Drag the widget to your preferred location on the home screen.
Now you’ll have easy one-tap access to Sound Amplifier right from your home screen. The widget allows you to quickly turn the app on or off and adjust the amplification level. Having it on your home screen makes it simple to launch and control Sound Amplifier as needed.1
Troubleshooting
If you are experiencing issues with Sound Amplifier, here are some troubleshooting steps to try:
Check Headphones Connected
Make sure your headphones are properly connected to your Android device. Unplug and reinsert the connector to ensure a good connection (Source 1).
Try Different Headphones
Try using a different pair of headphones to determine if the issue is with your original headphones or with the app itself. Faulty headphones with a loose connection can cause problems (Source 2).
Check App Permissions
Make sure Sound Amplifier has permission to access your microphone for recording ambient noise. Check your app permissions in your Android device’s Settings to ensure Sound Amplifier has the necessary access.