Sound thinking
Apple has filed a patent that will automatically adjust the volume on a Mac or iPhone based on ambient noise. If this ever gets implemented, it should be helpful not only for accommodating people with hearing impairments, but also for avoiding preventable hearing loss.
Electronista: Apple patent would auto-tune iPhone, Mac volume
Hear say
Apparently we missed the press release a couple of years ago on Motorola’s CrystalTalk noise reduction and voice enhancement technologies. We’ll make up for it by noting that LG is about to release their own version, DSE.T, by the end of the year. Clear benefits for hard-of-hearing people; we’d like to see how this works for people with mild to moderate speech disabilities, too.
Hear today, hear tomorrow
Purebuds are earbuds where the speaker is pointing away from the eardrum, theoretically reducing the chance of hearing injury while providing a surround sound effect and doing a better job of letting in important ambient noises (doorbells, kids, oncoming trains…). Wonder if this would work well for people with existing hearing loss?
Popgadget: Purebuds earbuds use Reverse Sound Technology to save your ears
Dynamic phone market cuts static
LG, which made one of the first talking cell phones, now makes one of the shut-uppiest. The SH-400 uses a new noise reduction chip to send only the speaker’s voice to the other side of the conversation, no matter how decibellicose the environment is, concealing your presence at the ball game, bar, or Better Concrete Cement Mixer Bake-off. Panasonic, Samsung, and Motorola are all expected to follow, swiftly but silently.
These phone may work well for people with hard to understand speech, and anyone’s hard of hearing interlocutors.
She deafened me with science
Toshiba is introducing Dolby Volume, which automatically adjusts TV volume that’s too loud–or, presumably, too soft–to a level of the user’s preference. Also works with stereo equipment, for the listening pleasure of the ever-growing Bjork/Metallica fan base.
PC or not PC
The long-awaited trend is already happening in Japan: far fewer people are using “old-fashioned” computers, preferring instead to use products that combine some or all aspects of computer use with other functions, such as smart phones. Will there be concerted, consistent thought given to accessible peripherals? Best case, there could be design revolutions spurred by confluence between the needs of people with disabilities who, say, can’t use teensy or virtual buttons…and the needs of people “without” disabilities who can’t use them either.
I can hear everyone now
Skype-to-Skype calls have been known for high quality audio for years. Now conference calls can provide the same experience. “HD Voice” is a new feature of HighSpeedConferencing, an audioconferencing service that lets Skype and regular phone callers participate; the “HD” is only evident to the Skype users, though.
Skype Journal: High Definition Voice: Bringing Skype’s High Bandwidth Audio to Conference Calls