Speaking with a New Voice

Writer: Tiffany Whisner, Coles Marketing Pick up your phone. Dial a number. Talk to someone. You listen to them talk back. Seems easy, doesn’t it? Not for everyone. For many years, a person with impaired hearing or speech had to use text telephones, also known as TTY, in order to communicate over the phone. This […]

5 Alerting Indicators for Blind and Visually Impaired

There are many forms of assistive technology that may benefit individuals who are blind or visually impaired.  However, one type of assistive technology I’ve yet to discuss in depth is alerting indicators, which may benefit these individuals greatly.  Maxi Aids “offers the highest quality selections of liquid level indicators, talking alarm clocks, motion sensors, toilet level indicators, […]

Monday Tech Tip: Sign Language Apps

Justin Amber, Equipment Loan Specialist at Easter Seals Crossroads,  shows us two sign language apps. Marlee Keyboard which allows users to download a sign language keyboard to use with an iOS device and Marlee Signs which is a way to learn sign language. Check it out here:

Auditory Brainstem Implantation

According to the World Health Organization, over 5% of the world’s population experiences disabling hearing loss.  Said individuals may often receive cochlear implants, however, these implants won’t always work for everyone.  Now there is a newer technique being tested: auditory brainstem implants (or ABI). Auditory brainstem implantation can restore hearing for individuals who cannot benefit from cochlear implants.  Right now, it […]

OtoSense App

From the high-pitched shrieking of smoke alarms to the rumbling howl of fire engines, sounds are often the first to warn individuals of trouble.  But what about individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing?  OtoSense is an app that aims to recognize such sounds for individuals with hearing loss, then convert them into vibrations, flashes, and other cues they can see or […]

VisiTalks: Connecting Deaf and Hearing People

Communication between deaf and hearing individuals can be quite challenging.  Fortunately, there are devices already available to help knock this communication barrier down such as Uni by MotionSavvy.  There is also another piece of technology in production called VisiTalks. According to its website, VisiTalks is the first of its kind as it is a unique combination of software and hardware which allows […]