Mobile apps to help deaf community “hear”

To help the deaf community “hear”, and communicate better with the hearing, two mobile applications (apps) were launched on Tuesday.

SINGAPORE: To help the deaf community “hear”, and communicate better with the hearing, two mobile applications (apps) were launched on Tuesday.

“Say it With Signs” and “Hearing Aide” were developed for the deaf community to make daily communication easier with family and friends.

The “Say it with Signs” app helps the deaf and the hearing communicate better through their smartphones.

The hearing party (caller) speaks directly into the phone when the call is connected.

The app then converts audio signals into sign language, which will then be displayed on the receiver’s smartphone.

Replies can be sent to the caller via a text message, which will be delivered as an audio message.

This is meant for situations when the caller is unable to type text messages, such as when the caller is driving.

Currently, the app has a library of 500 common words and developers target to have 4,000 words by this June.

Both parties must have the app installed, and data charges are applicable.

James Ong, executive officer, community services, at Singapore Association for the Deaf, said: “With the app, if you don’t have an interpreter, both of the communities can communicate with each other.

“For example, if the hearing community doesn’t know how to use sign language, they don’t have to find an interpreter to come because you have this app to bridge the communication gap.”

“Hearing Aide” is targeted for use in emergency situations.

After being downloaded, the app runs in the background.

When the app detects a pre-recorded sound, it will process this and notify the user through vibration, flashing lights and a visual message.

The app is pre-loaded with five common sounds – those of an ambulance, fire engine, police siren, fire alarm and smoke detector.

Users can also customise the app by adding up to 15 sound alerts between 90-120dB into the databank.

These sounds include those of a crying baby, boiling kettle, and even thunder.

The apps are available in English, and will be free for Android devices from Friday.

The iOS versions are expected to be available by the end of June.

Both applications were developed by global advertising network, Grey Group, with help from the Singapore Association for the Deaf.

Source AFP

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