Is there an app to help hearing impaired?
Hearing impairment refers to partial or total inability to hear sound in one or both ears. It can range from mild to profound. Mild hearing loss may cause difficulty hearing faint or distant speech, while those with moderate loss may have trouble with normal conversations. Severe loss limits the ability to hear loud sounds and understand speech, while profound loss results in an inability to hear most sounds (https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/statistics/quick-statistics-hearing).
Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions globally, affecting over 5% of the world’s population (https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/deafness-and-hearing-loss). In the US alone, around 15% of adults report some trouble hearing. It can lead to difficulties communicating, social isolation, depression, and cognitive decline. As the prevalence increases with age, addressing hearing loss is especially important for older adults (https://www.ncoa.org/adviser/hearing-aids/hearing-loss-statistics/).
Challenges Faced by People with Hearing Loss
People with hearing loss face various challenges in daily life. Some of the main difficulties include:
Communication difficulties are one of the most common challenges. Hearing loss, even when mild, can make it hard to follow conversations, especially in noisy environments. This can lead to feelings of isolation and frustration (Source).
Social isolation is another issue that often accompanies hearing loss. Not being able to fully participate in conversations can cause people to withdraw socially. Hearing loss has been linked to an increased risk of depression, partly due to reduced social engagement (Source).
Safety risks are also a major concern, as those with hearing impairments may not be able to hear alarms, sirens, or warning shouts. This puts them at greater risk in emergency situations. Simple sounds that alert people to dangers, like smoke alarms, can easily be missed.
How Apps Can Help
Apps provide several ways to help the hearing impaired amplify and clarify sounds, provide captions, and give alerts and alarms. Many apps help amplify and clarify sounds by using a device’s microphone to increase volume and reduce background noise. For example, apps like Sound Amplifier for Android allow users to customize amplification and noise reduction settings.
Captioning apps utilize speech recognition to detect speech and automatically generate captions. Apps like RogerVoice and Live Transcribe provide real-time captioning for conversations, videos, and other audio. This allows users to read what they may not be able to hear clearly.
Alerting apps take advantage of a device’s vibrations, flashing lights, and visuals to provide alerts for sounds like alarms, timers, doorbells, crying babies, and other important noises. For example, apps like Braci Sound Alert can be customized to detect specific sounds and alert users visually or through vibrations.
Types of Hearing Aid Apps
There are several types of apps that can help people with hearing impairments. Some of the main categories include:
Sound amplification apps
These apps use a smartphone or tablet’s microphone to amplify sounds. They can amplify all sounds or be customized to amplify certain frequencies more than others. Popular sound amplification apps include Sound Amplifier, Ears Pro, and Petralex Hearing Aid.
Apps with hearing test capabilities
Some apps can assess hearing ability by playing different tones and frequencies. They analyze how a user responds to these sounds to evaluate their hearing. Examples include the MDHearing and hearWHO apps.
Speech-to-text apps
These apps use speech recognition to convert speech into text in real-time. This allows people with hearing impairments to read what is being said. Popular options are Live Transcribe, Google Live Transcribe, and Microsoft Sound Notifier.
Top Hearing Aid Apps
There are many excellent hearing aid apps available for both iPhone and Android. Here are some of the top options:
ReSound Smart 3D(1) – This app lets you adjust volume, change programs, and control streaming from iOS devices. It offers binaural communication and a “Find My Hearing Aids” feature.
Oticon ON(2) – With this app you can adjust volume, switch listening modes, locate misplaced hearing aids, and stream audio. The “HearingFitness” feature provides listening exercise.
Signia app(1, 2) – Provides remote control of Signia hearing aids. Lets you adjust programs, volumes, streaming, and other settings. Offers tinnitus therapy features.
Starkey HearMax(3) – For use with Starkey hearing aids. Controls volume, streaming, geotagged memories, find my hearing aids, and more. Compatible with iOS and Android.
ReSound Smart(1) – Controls ReSound hearing aids and streaming from Apple devices. Adjusts volume, sound quality, streaming, and has find my hearing aid feature.
Key Features to Look for
When choosing a hearing aid app, look for key features that can enhance sound quality, allow customization, and reduce background noise. Some key features to look for include:
Sound enhancement technologies like directional microphones that amplify sounds coming from the front more than sounds coming from behind. This allows the wearer to better understand speech coming from the direction they are facing.
Customizable settings that allow the user to adjust volume, treble, bass, and other sound parameters to best match their hearing loss profile and preferences. For example, the Hearing Aid Ultimate app allows separate volume controls for left and right.
Background noise reduction using digital signal processing to actively suppress distracting ambient sounds. This makes it easier to focus on important sounds and speech. Apps like Miracle-Ear employ noise cancellation algorithms to reduce background noise.
Considerations When Choosing an App
When selecting a hearing aid app, there are a few key factors to consider:
Compatibility with Hearing Aids
First, make sure the app is compatible with your specific hearing aid model and brand. Some apps only work with certain manufacturers’ devices. Checking compatibility ensures seamless connectivity between your aids and the app.
Ease of Use
Look for an intuitive, user-friendly interface. Apps with simple menus and options allow you to easily make adjustments and changes without complicated settings. Consider your tech-savviness and choose an app that matches your comfort level.
Cost
While some quality hearing aid apps are available for free, others require paid subscriptions, especially for premium features. Determine your budget and needs to find the right balance of features and affordability. Free apps can still provide great functionality.
Limitations of Hearing Apps
While hearing apps provide useful assistance, they have some limitations that users should keep in mind:
Hearing apps are not a replacement for medical treatment or professional advice. They should complement, not replace, evaluations and recommendations from audiologists and other hearing health professionals. Relying solely on an app for hearing assistance is not advisable.
Performance limitations may arise in certain situations, like very noisy environments where the app microphone may struggle to separate speech from background noise. Apps also cannot fully compensate for more severe hearing losses. The quality and benefits obtained from an app still depend on the user’s individual hearing ability.
Privacy concerns exist regarding microphone access and data collection. Users should review privacy policies carefully to understand how their personal data is handled. Some apps may access and store recordings without the user’s knowledge.
While useful tools, hearing apps have key limitations to consider. Working with hearing health professionals and not relying solely on apps remains important for those with hearing impairments.
The Future of Hearing Aid Apps
The future of hearing aid apps looks bright as technology continues to advance. Here are some key developments we can expect:
Hearing aids will become even more integrated with smart devices and utilize artificial intelligence (AI). Apps may be able to automatically adjust hearing aid settings based on the user’s environment and activities. Built-in AI could enable hearing aids to learn and adapt to an individual’s preferences over time for a more personalized experience.
According to one source, “There are already many apps available for hearing aids, but in the future, they are likely to offer more in terms of functionality and features. Bluetooth connectivity with smartphones and other devices will continue improving.” (https://memphisaudiology.com/the-future-of-hearing-aids-what-to-expect/)
Apps will leverage data and analytics to offer more customized recommendations and settings. Features like real-time subtitles, ambient noise reduction, and sound amplification will become more nuanced and tailored to each user.
As stated in one article, “Just as hearing aids have made leaps forward in functionality, so too will the apps that support them.” Continued app enhancements will further aid hearing accessibility in daily life. (https://www.healthyhearing.com/report/53158-Hearing-aid-apps-smartphones)
Conclusion
In this article, we explored the various ways that smartphone apps are empowering those with hearing loss. We discussed the major challenges faced by those with hearing impairments, ranging from difficulty hearing conversations to feelings of social isolation. Apps provide practical solutions to many of these issues.
We reviewed the types of hearing aid apps available, from amplified sound apps to speech-to-text apps that display conversations. We also covered some of the top apps like Live Transcribe, Sound Amplifier, and TapTap that are making a real difference for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. These apps offer customizable sound amplification, background noise reduction, and other assistive features.
While apps have limitations and cannot replace professional hearing aids, they provide an accessible and affordable option for many. The future is bright when it comes to hearing assistive technologies. We encourage those with hearing loss to explore quality hearing apps that can improve their daily life.