Consider for a moment the extraordinary progress society has made in terms of improving quality of life for those with special hearing needs. The development of sign language and the invention of the hearing aid were life-changing breakthroughs for the deaf or hard of hearing.
And with the continued expansion of the digital revolution into daily life, more and more people can take advantage of new tools that enhance communication. While sign language is increasingly prevalent, there are new ways to bridge that gap through mobile technology and software applications.
Voice recognition has improved exponentially over the last few years and applications are now refined to work on a smart phone or tablet. The SpeechTrans for the Hearing Impaired app allows users to talk into their devices and generate text, much like closed captioning works on the television. The app boasts 99% accuracy in dictation and users can type messages that are then read aloud by a male or female voice. It also has other features, like the ability to cut and paste text from other applications like email, and 55 seconds of recording time provide the opportunity to express extended thoughts. These additional options save time and allow for richer communication.
An app like this can be useful in a number of situations. An individual with special hearing needs can more readily engage in conversation with someone who does not understand conventional sign language. For people who lose their hearing later in life, it can be challenging, for them as well as for their families, to adapt. In these instances, an app, such as SpeechTrans could be a very effective stopgap.
Digital advancements have transformed the way we communicate. New technologies and apps allow the deaf and hard of hearing to more easily and effectively express themselves. SpeechTrans for the Hearing Impaired is now optimized for Intel® Atom™ Processor-based tablets for Android* and can be downloaded at:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nuance.nmdp.ultimate