Anderson Audiology

Online Tools for Hearing Loss

Almost 15% of the population in the U.S. are affected by hearing loss. Hearing loss can make communication challenging in many situations. In turn, this can lead to social isolation and loneliness.

COVID-19 has heightened these challenges. What were once in-person conversations have increasingly moved to a digital environment. The result is many of our interactions are now online.

For people with hearing loss, particularly the elderly, online interactions are the safest way of engaging with friends and family. Even in the most ideal listening environments, hearing loss can pose communication challenges. In an online world, there are additional potential challenges including: 

  • Shaky video
  • Interruptions in video streaming
  • Audio disruptions
  • Feedback

To help improve your communication ability in a digital world, we’re looking at tools for people with hearing loss. 

Hearing Loss Accessibility – Tools for Hearing Loss

There are a host of applications and technology that aims to help people with hearing loss. We’re looking at the pros and cons of some of the more common hearing loss accessibility tools.

Google Live Transcribe

Pros: Live Transcribe, from Google, uses automatic speech recognition (ASR) technology. This allows for speech to be transcribed into text, in real time. Live Transcribe is accurate and fast.

Cons: Live Transcribe’s video conferencing product limits ASR captioning options to paid G-suite customers.

Ava

Pros: Ava aims to make communication barriers disappear. Ava features instant captions, which can be displayed on your conference call. Their Artificial Intelligence is touted to have 95% accuracy. Ava also offers corporate solutions, helping hearing impaired individuals across a wider business.

Cons: In order to use the Ava application and its features, users must set up an account. Business accessibility is restricted by a paywall.

Zoom

Pros: Zoom provides users the option of using  Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) captioning. Zoom is also compatible with Otter, a speech-to-text app known for its quality ASR.

Cons: CART requires that a live transcriber be present in the meeting. This is expensive and often cost-prohibitive for many people in these economic times. Otter is only available for paid Zoom accounts.

Consult the Hearing Specialists at Anderson Audiology!

Many of today’s hearing aids feature accessories options that will further enhance your hearing. Interested in learning more about the latest connectivity products? The hearing healthcare specialists at Anderson Audiology, would be happy to help. Schedule an appointment today with one of our hearing professionals at one of our five convenient audiology clinic locations in southern Nevada.

© 2024 Anderson Audiology. All right reserved. | Privacy Policy

The purpose of this hearing assessment and/or demonstration is for hearing wellness to determine if the client(s) may benefit from using hearing aids. Products demonstrated may differ from products sold. Test conclusion may not be a medical diagnosis. The use of any hearing aid may not fully restore normal hearing and does not prevent future hearing loss. Testing is to evaluate your hearing wellness, which may include selling and fitting hearing aids. Hearing instruments may not meet the needs of all hearing-impaired individuals. One offer per customer. Insurance benefit, including Managed Care or federal reimbursements, cannot be combined with any of our promotional offers, coupons or discounts. Other terms may apply. See office for details.

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As a company focused on care, our Anderson Audiology team is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our customers and staff. Together with our communities, we pledge to do everything we can to ensure you have a safe visit as we honor our mission to help people hear better.