How Virtual Assistants Can Assist Those with Hearing Loss
Every day, technology improves. Smartphones, computers, and smart devices have become smaller and faster. Siri and other virtual assistants can help you stay organized and simplify your life.
With virtual assistants like Siri or Alexa being so common these days, we must know how they can help those with hearing loss and how we might be able to use them ourselves. Here are some examples of how virtual assistants and another assistive tech can make life easier for people with trouble hearing.
What are Virtual Assistants for Smartphones?
You’ve used your smartphone’s virtual assistant if you’ve ever used Alexa or Siri. Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant, and Cortana are some of the most popular virtual assistants. These virtual assistants accept voice commands, and they will run any app you ask for. You can, for example, ask them to show you nearby restaurants, check the weather forecast, or even call a friend. All of these tasks can be done for you by your virtual assistant without even looking at your phone.
People with hearing loss can benefit from virtual assistants.
If you suffer from hearing loss, your virtual assistant can help.
Medicines: Do you forget to take your medications or clean your hearing aids? You can set up automated reminders using your virtual assistant. You can, for example, set a daily reminder to take your prescriptions at 9 a.m. Your virtual assistant will alert you that it’s time to take your medication at this point.
Routines in the morning and evening: Do you have any morning or evening activities in mind? You can program your routine to include turning up the volume on your phone ringer, reading your daily calendar reminders, reminding you to put your hearing aids in, and even giving you the weather or the news. You may start an entire routine with only one voice command. You can say “good morning Alexa,” and the virtual assistant will complete your morning routine.
Hands-free communication: Virtual assistants have the advantage of allowing for hands-free communication. A simple voice command, such as “call my daughter” or “call 9-1-1,” will instantly dial the phone, switch to speakerphone mode, and increase the volume.
List-making: Virtual assistants can also aid you in various other ways, such as making a grocery list or dictating a short letter. You don’t need to keep a pen and paper on hand; order your assistant to jot down something.
Extra customization
Some voices may be more challenging to hear than others if you have hearing loss. Higher-pitched voices, such as those of women, might be tough to hear. You can modify the voice of your virtual assistant to make it easier to understand what they’re saying. Among the programmable features are:
Changing the language or accent of your assistance
Making them talk in complete phrases or instead asking for short answers
Changing the rate at which they speak
Increasing the volume of their voices
Hearing Aids and Smartphones
Some hearing aids have innovative new capabilities that allow you to link your hearing aids to your smartphone, computer, or television wirelessly. Whatever audio you play on your phone will automatically stream to your hearing aids. This includes audio from phone conversations, music, directions, and even your virtual assistant’s voice. You can ask your virtual assistant to read a recipe, your emails, or your daily schedule, and everything will be delivered directly to your ears.
Artificial Intelligence Hearing Aids
Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are being developed in some hearing aids to help you hear even better than before. AI systems can remember your favorite listening settings and alter them automatically the next time you’re in that listening situation. You won’t have to fiddle with your devices, and you’ll have more time to enjoy good hearing.
You’ll need to train your AI software to your preferred settings when you initially obtain your new hearing aids. They’ll automatically modify your hearing equipment to help you hear once they figure out what settings work best for your specific hearing loss.
The future of voice assistants is bright. They will help bridge the gap between those with and without hearing loss and assist many other people with disabilities. We are looking forward to seeing what these virtual assistants can do in the years!
Are you looking for hearing aids with connectivity features or hearing aids that use artificial intelligence? Please get in touch with us to learn more about modern hearing devices and how these programs can help you hear better. Contact American Hearing + Audiology for an appointment at one of our top-rated hearing centers.
