Two free mobile applications that help deaf people "hear" were launched in Singapore yesterday. Aimed at improving their safety and convenience, the apps are believed to be the first of their kind in the world.
Hearing Aide alerts deaf people to sounds which require their attention, such as fire alarms, door bells or thunder. These sounds are recorded so that when they occur, they are detected by the app, which then causes the phone to vibrate, a light to flash and a visual message to appear on the screen. Up to 15 alerts can be stored.
Say It With Signs "translates" audio messages during a phone call into videos of hand signs on the mobile phone. It can be useful in situations when it may be difficult for the caller to type text messages, such as while driving. It can translate about 500 words into hand signs and if a sign is not available, it converts it into text. Currently, there are similar apps which teach users sign language but they do not convert spoken words into hand signs during phone calls.
Both apps were developed by advertising agency Grey Group Singapore, at a cost of $10,000, in collaboration with the Singapore Association for the Deaf (SADeaf).
SADeaf said there are about half a million people here who are deaf or hearing-impaired. To help avoid traffic accidents, SADeaf hopes that Hearing Aide will alert deaf drivers to other drivers sounding their horns.
The apps are available for free at the Google Play app store for Android devices from Friday and are expected to be available for Apple devices within a month.
Thoughts:
- Power of technology! It is now possible for the deaf to "hear" through such mobile apps, something that is unthinkable 10, 20 years ago! These inventions always made it possible to empower the disabled (people with hearing difficulties/ hearing impaired) to lead a more independent life like normal people.
Thoughts anyone?
Yours,
Something Small Thinking Big
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