Google has introduced two new apps for Android: Live Transcribe and Sound Amplifier designed to help hearing-impaired. Live Transcribe app takes real-world speech and turns it into real-time captions using just the phone’s microphone.
Live Transcribe is available in over 70 languages and dialects. It also enables two-way conversation via a type-back keyboard for users who can’t or don’t want to speak, and connects with external microphones to improve transcription accuracy. However, it needs accessibility permission from settings, and then users can start using Live Transcribe from the accessibility button on the navigation bar.
As for the Sound Amplifier, audio is more clear and easier to hear. You can use Sound Amplifier on your Android smartphone with wired headphones to filter, augment and amplify the sounds in your environment. It works by increasing quiet sounds, while not over-boosting loud sounds. You can customize sound enhancement settings and apply noise reduction to minimize distracting background noise with simple sliders and toggles.
Sound Amplifier is available on the Play Store and supports phone running Android 9 Pie or later and comes pre-installed on Pixel 3. The Live Transcribe will roll out gradually today in a limited beta to users worldwide via the Play Store and comes pre-installed on Pixel 3 devices.
Google in a blog post said:
The World Health Organization estimates that by the year 2055, there will be 900 million people with hearing loss. We believe in the power of technology to help break down barriers and make life a little easier for everyone. Today, we’re introducing two new apps for Android designed to help deaf and hard-of-hearing people: Live Transcribe and Sound Amplifier.