Useful apps
Computers, smartphones, and tablets are part of everyday life. If you have hearing loss, using the right websites, apps, and services, can help you to live well.
New apps and services appear daily, so while we cannot cover everything, we have curated a selection of some of the most useful options available.
Making telephone calls is often an issue for people with hearing loss due several factors such as the volume of the handset / speaker or tone. The apps presented here are options that turn the speech of the call into text that you can read making it easier to communicate.
Relay UK
Relay UK is the modern version of the long-standing Text Relay service from BT. It allows you to make captioned calls using both smartphones and landlines, even when you are away from home.
Relay operators type out the responses during the call. Calls are charged as part of your standard phone plan.
The free app is available on Apple and Android devices — visit our Relay UK page for more details.
RogerVoice
This is another app designed to facilitate phone calls for people with hearing loss by captioning the content of the call in real time. Unlike the Relay UK service, the calls are captioned via a computer voice recognition system rather than by a person.
RogerVoice operates over an internet connection (WiFi or data service) is required on your smart device to make and receive phone calls.
The service is free to use between users of the app, which is great if you can get your family/contacts to install the app on their phones. However, calls to standard phones (e.g. those not using the app) will require the purchase of a call plan.
These advanced plans also give access to a “Roger Number” which can be shared in place of your normal number to ensure that all calls go through the RogerVoice app.
999 BSL
This app is an emergency video relay service for Sign Language Users. The service is available to download as a smartphone app (iOS and Android) and access as a web-based platform. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week,365 days a year, and can be used to contact the police, fire service, ambulance service or coastguard.
You must have an internet connection to use this service (WiFi or 3G/4G/5G connection). There is no requirement to register before using the app.
This service is for Deaf people ONLY to connect to the emergency authorities via a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter. If you not Deaf and have an emergency, please dial 999 from a telephone. To find out more about 999 BSL, please email info@999bsl.co.uk
Speech-to-text apps and services are designed to aid communication by converting what is being said into text on your smart device. The apps listed here do this with computer voice recognition software and usually require an active internet connection to function.
LiveTranscribe
Live Transcribe is a speech-to-text accessibility app from Google. The app is provided free of charge on Android devices. It boasts impressive recognition abilities with a customisable user interface giving the option to set the displayed text size and background colour.
The ability to use external wireless microphones, such as those found on Bluetooth headsets, is in the app settings once the device is paired. This setting allows the speaker to sit at a distance from you while you read the display on your phone. The service requires an active internet connection.
LiveTranscribe can be downloaded for free on iOS, however monthly / annual subscription fees may apply for its use.
TextHear
A voice recognition app from Geemarc for both Android and Apple devices. The Android version has the advantage of being completely free to use with unlimited use of the service, while the Apple version requires payment for blocks of minutes.
Hearing Helper app
Available only on Apple devices, this app is completely free to use and unlike most others in this category it operates on a push to talk basis. In other words, it shows captions only while you are pressing the red button, making it useful for short moments when you need quick captioning.
Other useful features include the ability to scale the text produced up to large sizes for those whose eyesight may struggle with other apps. Download fees may apply.
Ava
This is a speech-to-text app with sophisticated features beyond what most other apps provide, in particular the group conversation ability.
In this mode, all those involved in a conversation can add Ava to their own phones, join the Ava conversation group and speak. The text of what they say will show up on the screens of everyone involved along with their name.
Ava also works in simple single display mode too much like the apps mentioned earlier. Ava does require payment for the use of the service past a certain number of minutes used each month although only the person “hosting” the conversation needs to pay – the others can join free of charge.
Otter Voice
While primarily intended for meeting transcription or note-taking, Otter Voice will also work very well as a personal speech-to-text app.
A user account is required to access the app, the basic plan comes with 600 minutes free per month. Each individual chat session is limited to 40 minutes of transcription, but a new recording session can start once this limit is reached.
By default, the recording interface is not ideal for reading as the text size is quite small. However, in the top right corner of the display is an icon with two diagonal expanding arrows – tapping this will put the app into a dedicated text display mode wherein the size of the text can change as desired.
The conversations are stored in the app, both as a transcription as well as a sound recording, so it may be worth remembering to delete those afterwards as needed.
NALscribe
This real-time speech captioning app aims to improve communication for people with hearing loss. It was trialled in Australia during the COVID pandemic to help with communication in hearing assessment clinics. It is free to use but requires internet / data connection.
Web captioner by Maestra
A free live captioning tool offering easy transcription using AI technology for lots of several types of content including live streaming, podcasts, and more. The tool works by generating live captions in real-time while speech happens. You can also save a transcript for you to use later. The live captioning tool on this site is free.
These apps measure the loudness of sounds around you, for example in restaurants, bars, or similar venues.
One should note that the figures generated by these apps are not equivalent to a properly calibrated decibel meter but can nonetheless give an approximation.
Another use could be for practicing voice control in cases of hearing loss where one can no longer reliably judge the loudness of one’s own speaking voice.
Typical methods of learning voice control involve feeling the vibration of the throat but the use of one of these apps can give objective, visual feedback too.
Sound Meter
Android only app, but free (ad supported). Displays a needle meter as well as digital number for loudness.
Decibel X
Available on Apple and Android devices. Free (ad supported).
The apps in this section are for sound amplification and clarity. They are not replacements for hearing aids and are used with earphones or headphones. Could be handy in a pinch if you run out of batteries in your hearing aids!
Mobile Ears
Easy to use interface and provides a pleasant amplification and clarity.
MindEar
The MindEar Tinnitus App has been designed by audiologists, psychologists and researchers and teaches you how to take control of ear ringing using clinically proven techniques.
Offers sound therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) amongst other features. Free download, in-app purchases may apply.
Apps and services that do not neatly fit into any of the previous categories, but which can be helpful for managing hearing loss issues.
Resolver
An online service that helps you to send feedback and resolve complaints with business and service providers. It is a wonderful way to avoid the usual call centre mazes and stress.
Google Maps
This might seem like an unusual entry on this page, but it has one nice feature that can be useful for those with hearing loss.
If you search for a business (café, restaurant etc), and click on its pin on the map further information will appear on the left. Looking down that area you will often see a section labelled “Popular Times.”
This is great for judging when might be the least busy, and therefore (hopefully) the quietest time to visit that establishment.
Cardzilla
An app that allows you to display messages, texts and emojis on your phone in large print. The app which is available for Android and iOS devices has lots of distinctive features including automatic text resizing, autosave on notes and much more. For more information visit: cardzilla.ws.
NHS24 Online app – Scotland
NHS 24 has launched a new mobile app, offering people across Scotland an additional way to find out more about their health symptoms and how best to deal with them.
Called ‘NHS 24 Online' the app offers a digital healthcare solution and provides information on self-care or what to do if a condition worsens and medical help is needed.
You can utilise its virtual chatbot, find nearest health and social care services, and initialise push notifications.
