What 4 Speech Recognition Apps are Available for People with Hearing Loss?

Google’s Live Transcribe app has revived the topic of Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR). With the many technological advances available, there’s always a new and better version that’s more helpful and convenient than the previous app. 

When the app was first launched, it was only available on computers. Now you can use your smartphone and tablet with this app. Speech Recognition Software recognizes spoken language and translates it into a text format. Each of these software and apps functions in a different way. Some can only recognize certain words and phrases, and other more advanced versions can understand and transcribe live speech.  

Here are some well-known apps:

Live Transcribe (Google)

The objective of Google’s Live Transcribe app is to make things more accessible for individuals who have difficulty with hearing. Users can remain part of conversations in real-time through the app on their smartphones. Even if words are missed, users can still understand the conversation with surrounding text and other context clues like facial expressions. 

Live Transcribe Features:

• Android use only
• Real-time transcriptions
• Transcribes from 70 languages and dialects. Has the ability to switch between them.
• Bilingual communication
• Utilizes Google’s speech recognition technology
• Records of conversations are stored on your device rather than a server, to ensure security.
• The app was created with help from Gallaudet University, which is the only university in the world that is adapted for people with hearing difficulties.
• Downloads onto any device that runs on Android 5.0 or newer
• Adjusts text size
• The text box allows the user to enter responses and displays the screen to others who are part of the conversation
• A vibration alert lets the user know when the conversation has resumed after pausing for a moment.
• The microphone source can be changed.
• Ambient noise levels can be measured to let the user move the microphone closer to the speaker.

Rogervoice

Texting, WhatsApp and video conferencing apps have changed how people with severe hearing loss communicate, but a human voice is still the predominant form of communication. 

Rogervoice provides captions in real-time for voice calls. The person with hearing loss must have the Rogervoice app downloaded on their smartphone.    

Rogervoice Features:

• Available for Android and iOS users
• Available worldwide
• Free basic app - includes unlimited captioning between fellow app users
• 30 minutes of free calls with landline and mobile phones that do not have the app, any other usage will be charged
• Automated Real-Time Captioning - Real-time transcriptions of telephone speech on the user’s phone.
• Receives and transcribes landline and mobile phone calls that do not have the app downloaded
• Text-to-speech option if the user chooses to use this feature
• Intuitive, easy to use interface
• Adjustable text size
• Transcriptions can be accessed by simply searching under contacts (Transcription accuracy has been reported as good, but could use more improvements)
• Automated Captured Videos - Subtitled video calls
• The option to have an interpreter for calls

TextHear

TextHear is a speech-to-text app that translates conversational texts on your phone, tablet, or computer. This works via computer voice recognition software.

TextHear Features:

• The Android version is free with unlimited usage of the app
• iOS is free to download and test for 1 minute. After the free test is over, the transcription minutes must be purchased. 
• Users will need an adaptor to connect a landline to a smartphone/tablet/laptop for the landline to work with the app
• The microphone must be activated for the transcription to begin on the smartphone
• Automatic punctuation and spacing are added to help with clear communication
• Texts are saved for future reference
• Supports more than 100 languages and accents
• Available in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Europe
• Reviews have indicated that the app is about 85% accurate in its transcriptions.

Ava

The Ava speech to text app focuses on the ability to maintain group conversations. Everyone who participates in the conversation must download the app onto their devices and choose the conversation group that they want to be a part of. The group’s conversation will appear in text form on their device underneath each participant’s name. Ava can also be used in one on one conversations by placing the phone’s microphone near the speaker.   

Ava Features:

• Available for Android and iOS
• Real-time transcriptions
• Provides the option of one on one and group conversations, as long as everyone in the group downloaded the app on their smartphone or another device.
• Free options let users have captions for any live conversation for 5 hours each month and lets you save transcriptions
• The Premium and Pro packages have a variety of unlimited benefits
• It can transcribe 12 spoken languages

Live transcription features are still fairly new but can work smoothly in most situations where the transcriptions and usage is automatic without too much effort from the users. The main issue that is frequently encountered is transcription accuracy. It’s difficult to accomplish this with all of the different languages and accents that need to be taken into account to make the app useful anywhere in the world. 

At any rate, it’s still a great technological advancement that these apps are available. With more improvements and changes, it will get easier to use these in everyday situations at home, at work, and in everyday situations.

If you or a loved one are experiencing hearing loss, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and consultation. Our hearing instrument specialists will help you select the right hearing aids for you and help you get comfortable with using speech recognition apps that are compatible with your smartphone.   

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