How do deaf or hard of hearing individuals communicate during the pandemic?

Deaf or hard of hearing individuals face communication challenges due to masks and rely on technology like live captioning apps.

What technology aids deaf individuals in communication?

Technologies such as Zoom, Google live captioning, and apps providing real-time captioning aid communication.

How does the app mentioned help with phone calls?

The app provides real-time captioning for phone calls using either a stenographer or automated speech recognition software.

Is there a cost for the app aiding the deaf and hard of hearing?

No, the app is funded by the federal communications commission and is available at no cost.

What are some communication issues faced by the deaf during the pandemic?

Masks hide lips and facial expressions, which are vital for lip reading and communication for the deaf.

How does the pandemic affect work and communication for deaf individuals?

Many have lost jobs or need to work from home, requiring more phone communication, which is challenging without appropriate tools.

What is a proposed solution for improving in-person communication for the deaf?

One solution is the use of clear masks which would allow for better visual communication.

Technology helping the deaf community navigate life in the pandemic

00:02:21

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTiw4XUXkw4

Summary

TLDRThe pandemic has posed significant challenges for deaf and hard of hearing individuals, especially in communication, as masks obstruct lip-reading and facial expressions. Michael Conley, who relies on lip-reading, finds communication difficult in public spaces like pharmacies. Technological developments have been a lifeline, with companies like Zoom and Google integrating live captioning features for video calls. Additionally, apps providing real-time captioning for phone calls have been essential. These apps transcribe conversations using stenographers or automated speech recognition, offering a significant improvement in communication ease for users. Funded by the federal government, these technologies are often available for free to those who need them. Conley mentions that clear masks would aid in better communication, but their scarcity makes technology even more critical.

Takeaways

📱 Technology aids deaf communication with real-time captioning apps.
😷 Masks hinder lip-reading, increasing communication challenges.
🔊 Apps provide real-time phone call transcriptions.
💡 Innovations offer lifelines during the pandemic for hard of hearing.
🆓 Federal funding makes helpful apps free for users.
👂 Companies like Zoom and Google support accessibility with live captions.
📈 Work from home increases phone call reliance, challenging the deaf.
🎭 Clear masks would improve communication if more common.

Timeline

00:00:00 - 00:02:21
During the pandemic, communication has been challenging, particularly for the deaf and hard of hearing. Amanda Brandeis reports on how technology is addressing these challenges. Individuals like Michael Conley, who is deaf, find communicating harder due to masks obscuring facial expressions and lips, which are vital for lip-reading. To overcome this, technology firms, including Zoom and Google, are enhancing accessibility by implementing live captioning in video calls and enabling apps that transcribe phone conversations in real time. Conley finds these technological advancements transformative, as they improve communication in various settings, including healthcare. The app he uses makes communication more manageable by converting speech to text instantly, and the Federal Communications Commission funds it, making it free for deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Conley emphasizes the need for clear masks, which are not yet widespread, making technology even more crucial for effective communication during the pandemic.

Mind Map

Video Q&A

How do deaf or hard of hearing individuals communicate during the pandemic?
Deaf or hard of hearing individuals face communication challenges due to masks and rely on technology like live captioning apps.
What technology aids deaf individuals in communication?
Technologies such as Zoom, Google live captioning, and apps providing real-time captioning aid communication.
How does the app mentioned help with phone calls?
The app provides real-time captioning for phone calls using either a stenographer or automated speech recognition software.
Is there a cost for the app aiding the deaf and hard of hearing?
No, the app is funded by the federal communications commission and is available at no cost.
What are some communication issues faced by the deaf during the pandemic?
Masks hide lips and facial expressions, which are vital for lip reading and communication for the deaf.
How does the pandemic affect work and communication for deaf individuals?
Many have lost jobs or need to work from home, requiring more phone communication, which is challenging without appropriate tools.
What is a proposed solution for improving in-person communication for the deaf?
One solution is the use of clear masks which would allow for better visual communication.

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Subtitles

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00:00:00
well many of us have struggled through
00:00:02
this pandemic
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communicating over shaky zoom calls or
00:00:06
asking someone to repeat what they said
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through their mask
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but for those who are hard of hearing or
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deaf
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communication is even tougher amanda
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brandeis shows us how some technology
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developers
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see this as a challenge to take on
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one of the places i use it the most is
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at the pharmacy
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michael conley doesn't leave his house
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without his notepad
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the person will write down what i need
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to know born deaf
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he communicates by reading lips others
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rely on facial expressions
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both of which are often hidden behind a
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mask now
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as a deaf person i think i've been
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isolated a lot anyway
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and this just adds to it and after
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losing his job
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conley faced other communication
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challenges at home so many of us
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have been working from home we've lost
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our jobs
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or something has happened and we now
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have to make phone calls that we didn't
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have to before
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but the tech world is helping improve
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accessibility
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with companies like zoom and google
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enabling live captioning for video calls
00:01:10
transcribing conversations within
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seconds conley's also relied on an app
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that provides real-time captioning for
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phone calls
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you have a prescription ready for pickup
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right now within ocaption
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calls are captioned by either a
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stenographer or automated speech
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recognition software
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yes really changes everything
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before i used to dread making phone
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calls
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now it's just not a problem it's
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just freed me up completely users are
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also finding ways to use the app for
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in-person interactions during the
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pandemic like in a healthcare setting
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where clear communication is key and
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masks can't be removed
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it's very intuitive everything is
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converted into text
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in real time funded by the federal
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communications commission
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the app is available at no cost for the
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deaf and hard of hearing
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it has just changed my life conley says
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in-person communication would be easier
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if people wore a clear mask
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but right now that's not happening much
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making the innovations in his hand
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that much more of a lifeline in san
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diego
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i'm amanda brandeis reporting