For individuals with hearing impairments, there are many situations in daily life that can feel inconvenient.
By utilizing services and apps that support those with hearing impairments, it is possible to enhance their quality of life (QOL).
So, what specific services and apps are available?
This article introduces convenient services and apps for people with hearing impairments.
We will carefully select and present those that support communication for individuals with hearing impairments, so please use this as a reference.
1. The Need for Services and Apps that Solve Communication Challenges
For individuals with hearing impairments, the most challenging aspect is often the difficulty in communication.
While communication between hearing individuals can easily occur through spoken language, those with hearing impairments must rely on the following methods to communicate:
- Sign language
- Written communication
- Speech reading
- Hearing aids
- Voice recognition
Not only must they consider their own circumstances, but they must also combine the optimal methods while taking into account the situation and preferences of the other party.
For instance, it is estimated that only about 10% to 20% of individuals with hearing impairments can use sign language.
Moreover, this percentage is even lower among hearing individuals, making communication through sign language quite challenging.
Additionally, written communication can be time-consuming compared to speaking, making it less suitable for detailed exchanges.
From a business perspective, the obligation to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities has been mandated since April 1, 2024, necessitating the provision of reasonable accommodations to alleviate the difficulties faced by those with hearing impairments without imposing excessive burdens.
Given these circumstances, there is a growing demand for services and apps that can resolve communication challenges with individuals who have hearing impairments.
2. Six Convenient Services and Apps for Daily Life for Individuals with Hearing Impairments
2-1. A Phone that Can Read the Other Person's Voice: "Yometel"
"Yometel" is a phone app designed for individuals who have difficulty hearing the other person's voice during phone calls, converting the caller's voice into text. It is provided by the Nippon Foundation Telephone Relay Service, which has been designated as a telephone relay service provider by the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications.
It is available for use 24/7 and can also be used to contact emergency services.
This service is a public infrastructure based on law and can be used for emergency contacts such as 110 (police), 119 (fire department), and 118 (coast guard).
Depending on the call destination and purpose, users can choose between transcription methods using text input operators or AI (automatic speech recognition) each time.
Yometel offers two plans, allowing users to select the most suitable plan according to their needs.
| No Monthly Fee Plan | Monthly Fee Plan | |
| Monthly Fee | Free | 178.2 yen/month |
| Call Charge (Landline) | 16.5 yen/min | 5.5 yen/min |
| Call Charge (Mobile) | 44 yen/min | 33 yen/min |
Registration for Yometel is simple; if you can verify your identity online, registration can be completed immediately, and you can start using it through the dedicated app.
Support systems are also robust, with training sessions for Yometel being held at mobile shops nationwide.
Reference: Yometel
2-2. Interpreting Phone Calls with Sign Language and Text: "Telephone Relay Service"
The "Telephone Relay Service" connects individuals with hearing or speech difficulties to hearing individuals through an interpreter who translates between "sign language/text" and "voice." It is provided by the Nippon Foundation Telephone Relay Service, designated by the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications.
This service is utilized in various scenarios, including communication with businesses, municipalities, and medical institutions.
The usage fees are the same as for Yometel.
| No Monthly Fee Plan | Monthly Fee Plan | |
| Monthly Fee | Free | 178.2 yen/month |
| Call Charge (Landline) | 16.5 yen/min | 5.5 yen/min |
| Call Charge (Mobile) | 44 yen/min | 33 yen/min |
Reference: Telephone Relay Service
2-3. iPhone Feature: "Sound Recognition"
Even without using special services for individuals with hearing impairments, communication can be achieved using standard smartphone features.
The iPhone has a "Sound Recognition" feature that can help individuals with hearing impairments notice surrounding sounds.
Setting up the sound recognition feature is very simple; just go to "Settings" > "Accessibility" > "Sound Recognition" and turn it ON.
By default, the sound recognition feature can recognize and notify the following sounds:
- Fire alarms
- Siren
- Smoke detectors
- Cat
- Dog
- Electrical appliances
- Car horns
- Doorbells
- Knocking on the door
- Sound of breaking glass
- Kettle
- Running water
- Baby crying
- Coughing
- Shouting
Furthermore, doorbells and sirens can be set up separately, and custom alarm functions can be used to recognize specific sounds and notify in the same way.
Not only the iPhone but also the Apple Watch can receive notifications, making it convenient.
This feature can help prevent harm by recognizing sounds that may pose a danger to oneself and notifying the user.
Reference: Recognizing Sounds on iPhone | Apple
2-4. Android Feature: "Sound Detection Notifications"
Android smartphones also have a "Sound Detection Notifications" feature.
However, unlike the iPhone, this is not a standard feature and is not installed on all Android smartphones.
Therefore, it is necessary to install a separate app.
Using the sound detection notification feature, you can receive notifications when the following sounds are recognized:
- Smoke/fire alarms
- Siren
- Baby sounds
- Dog barking
- Knocking sounds
- Doorphone bells
- Household appliance sounds
- Running water sounds
The notification method is not only through vibration but also visually clear by using the camera flash, which is an attractive feature.
2-5. App for Recognizing Surrounding Sounds and Notifying Users: "Sound Display"
In addition to standard features for smartphone operating systems, there are general apps that recognize sounds and provide notifications.
A representative example is "Sound Display," which has gained popularity as an app that visualizes sounds to improve daily life and work environments.
It fully utilizes technologies related to AI, smart devices, and the cloud, achieving highly accurate sound recognition.
It can recognize the following preset sounds:
- Emergency earthquake alerts (TV)
- Fire alarms
- Emergency vehicles (police cars, fire trucks, ambulances)
- Intercoms
Additionally, sounds other than those mentioned above can also be recorded and recognized using the sound registration feature.
By simply keeping the app running in the background, it can recognize sounds, and you can perform operations such as using other apps or returning to the lock screen after pressing the start button.
The notification feature has the advantage of being able to send notifications to smartwatches and also using LED lights for visual notifications.
Reference: Sound Display | TDI Co., Ltd.
2-6. Real-Time Voice Recognition App: "YY Transcription"
YY Transcription, provided by Aisin Corporation, is an app that easily and accurately transcribes voice into text.
By installing the offline engine in advance, it can be used even in airplane mode or in areas with poor network conditions.
You can start using it immediately without registering an account, and you can edit the transcription on the spot.
The screen can be split in two, allowing text to be displayed simultaneously for the person facing you.
It supports over 30 languages and can also translate, and it can recognize sounds like laughter and applause, displaying animations, which is an attractive feature.
The free plan for individuals allows up to 80 hours of voice recognition per month. Additional usage time requires a fee.
| Free Plan | Additional Purchase of Usage Time (Online Engine) | Subscription (Offline Engine) |
| 0 yen | 1,000 yen for every 10 hours | 1,000 yen/month |
| 80 hours/month of voice recognition per account, with the ability to register words in the user dictionary | After exhausting the free plan, you can purchase usage time in increments of 10 hours | A monthly subscription that allows unlimited use of the offline engine. The free version can also use the offline engine, but there are time limitations (10 hours/month). |
Reference: YY Transcription | YYSystem
3. Three Tools and Apps for Visualizing Online and Offline Conversations
3-1. A Tool for Visualizing Everyone's Conversations: "VUEVO"
"VUEVO," developed by Pixie Dust Technologies, is a recommended tool for visualizing everyone's conversations.
VUEVO uses a combination of wireless microphones and smartphone apps or web apps.
By adopting a highly accurate wireless microphone developed with proprietary technology, it can capture spoken content from multiple people in conversations or meetings from 360° in all directions.
The spoken content can be displayed in real-time in the direction of the speaker, making it easy for individuals with hearing impairments to check what has been said.
The interface is designed to help intuitively understand the content of multiple conversations, making it easy for anyone to use.
It also features an AI-powered automatic summarization function, allowing for the creation of meeting minutes.
VUEVO is mainly used in business settings and has been widely adopted in the construction industry, with companies like Taisei Corporation and Mitsui Fudosan Management leading the way.
Reference: VUEVO | Pixie Dust Technologies
Additionally, when used in conjunction with a translation transparent display called VUEVO Display, it enables smooth communication during face-to-face conversations and is mainly utilized in customer service roles.
Reference: VUEVO Display | Pixie Dust Technologies
3-2. Real-Time Voice Recognition App: "YYProbe"
The real-time voice recognition app "YYProbe" is developed by Aisin Corporation, a well-known automotive parts manufacturer.
Aisin Corporation is known for its development capabilities covering almost all major automotive parts, and in recent years, it has also focused on utilizing digital technologies such as AI and IoT, which are fully integrated into YYProbe.
YYProbe allows users to enjoy conversations through voice recognition in a chat-like interface.
It can even convert laughter into "(laugh)," allowing users to express their emotions more personally through text.
Additionally, it is possible to build a database and analyze data by repeatedly recording sounds.
YYProbe also allows users to post not only text but also images and videos.
It supports 22 languages, making it widely used in all locations of the Tokyu Stay hotel chain, especially for communication with international guests.
Reference: Real-Time Text Conversion of Conversations | Aisin Corporation
3-3. Communication Support and Conversation Visualization App: "UD Talk"
"UD Talk" is a communication support app with features such as voice recognition transcription and automatic translation.
UD stands for Universal Design, aiming to be usable regardless of disabilities or differences in abilities.
In addition to voice recognition, it has a significant feature of text-to-speech capability, allowing communication between visually impaired and hearing-impaired individuals through UD Talk.
Input methods include not only voice but also keyboard and handwriting, providing support for smooth communication.
With a hiragana conversion feature, it allows for restrictions on the use of kanji according to the user's learning level.
UD Talk can be used not only as a smartphone app but also on wearable devices and AR devices, making it a versatile service for various situations.
Reference: UD Talk | RoiS Corporation
4. Two Hearing Devices to Make "Hearing!" Possible
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