Assistive Technology for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
There is a wide variety of technology specifically created for people who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf-Blind and Speech-Impaired.
The Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DSDHH) does not endorse any products or companies listed below.
| Technology | Description | Providers |
|---|---|---|
| Alerting Systems | These systems can alert people who are deaf or hard of hearing by using lights, high-frequency sounds and vibrating notifications that work by way of traditional alarms. Alerting systems can be used for alarm clocks, doorbells, door knocks, phone calls, baby monitors, weather alerts, motion detectors, smoke alarms, and a wide range of other traditional alerting technologies. | |
| Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) | ALDs assist people who are deaf and hard of hearing with everyday communication. This technology allows the user to overcome the negative effects of background noise and distance to offer the user better hearing in everyday situations. | Williams Sound Digi-Wave System |
| Instant Messaging (IM) | Instant Messaging is a form of real-time communication between two or more people based on typed text. The text is conveyed via computers or wireless device connected over a network such as the Internet. | |
| Internet Captioned Telephone Service | Make and receive phone calls using a telephone that displays real-time captions of phone conversations visible on your computer’s Internet browser or on a screen embedded on the base of your telephone. | |
| Internet Relay (IP Relay) | A telephone relay service that links your telephone with a specialized program for personal computers, laptops, mobile phones, or other devices capable of utilizing an IP Relay provider. | |
| Telephone Relay Service (TRS) | Allows people who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf-Blind or Speech-Impaired to place calls to standard telephone users via a keyboard or assistive device. | Relay NC |
| Video Chat (Videophone Chatting) | Interact in real time using audio and video technology by using a computer, tablet or wireless device. | |
| Video Relay Service (VRS) | Allows non-signing individuals to communicate with people whose primary language is American Sign Language (ASL). You can use video conferencing equipment and sign language interpreters, or you can use your mobile device. |
Accessibility for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf-Blind and Speech-Impaired Individuals
| Accessibility Apps | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| AT&T CapTel | A free service for hard of hearing users to enjoy telephone conversations with the convenience of nearly simultaneous online captions. | FREE |
| Blurb | A program that displays messages so that you can display it to someone else. This app also acts as a useful aid to help communicate with deaf and hard of hearing individuals. | FREE |
| Clear Captions | This app lets you hear and read what's being said, much like closed caption television. | FREE |
| CaptionFish | The Internet’s leading captioned movies search engine that shares information about open captioned, Rear Window captioned, foreign/subtitled, and descriptively narrated movies showings in the United States. | FREE |
| FEMA | The FEMA App (smartphone app for mobile devices) contains disaster safety tips, interactive lists for storing your emergency kit and emergency meeting location information, and a map with open shelters and open FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers. | FREE |
| Google Hangouts | Video chat with up to nine friends using mobile Hangouts. | FREE |
| Hamilton Mobile CapTel | Similar to captions on television, this app makes it possible for you to see exactly what is being said to you on every call. | FREE |
| HIMS Chat | An application designed to facilitate face-to-face communication between a Deaf-Blind person and a sighted person via Bluetooth connectivity. | FREE |
| Purple VRS | A video-based telephone relay system for deaf and hard of hearing customers that allows you to make VRS calls virtually anywhere, anyplace, anytime directly on your device. | FREE |
| PurpleMail | A video-based message system for deaf and hard of hearing customers that lets you access your PurpleMail video messages. | FREE |
| Red Cross Mobile Apps | An app that prepares you for Red Cross emergencies including tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, shelter finders and first aid. | FREE |
| Sorenson Buzzcards | An app that works like a deck of flash cards. This allows you to decide what’s written on the cards, to make them as needed, to make them in advance and you can keep them organized by category. | FREE |
| SubtitleDroid | A simple but effective way to search and download subtitles for movies and TV shows. | FREE |
| Tap Tap | Designed to produce alerts that vibrate and flash to alert you that there's been a loud noise in your direction. | $2.99 |
| Verbally | An easy-to-use, comprehensive Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) app for the iPad. | FREE |
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