Article Summary
This WIRED guide explains how to use hearing aid compatibility and real-time text features on Android and iPhone devices. For hearing aid compatibility, users need to check their phone manufacturer’s hearing aid compatibility page. For real-time text, users can turn on the RTT or TTY feature in accessibility settings. The article highlights that availability depends on the region and carrier. Google’s Pixel phones have specific accessibility features due to Google designing the hardware and regular updates for other Android phones.
Original Post
Additional features vary by phone manufacturer. Look for hearing aid compatibility (HAC) to see what your phone supports. For example, here is the Google Pixel hearing aid compatibility page. Some hearing aids can now stream music and podcasts directly to hearing aids from Android phones, but it’s wise to check compatibility before you buy.
When using hearing aids with Pixel phones, you should also open the Phone app, tap the three vertical dots for Menu at the top right, and tap Settings > Accessibility to toggle Hearing Aids on.
If you don’t yet have a hearing aid but think you might need one, read our guide on how to buy a hearing aid and our Best Hearing Aids guide. We also have a guide on how to stream audio to hearing aids and cochlear implants.
How to Use Real-Time Text With Your Phone
Some folks may prefer to type responses on a call, and you can do this with the real-time text (RTT) feature. Sadly, availability depends on your region and carrier. If there’s no RTT option, you will likely have Teletype (TTY) support instead. (RTT is more advanced and can transmit audio as you type.)
On Android phones, open the Phone app, tap the three vertical dots for Menu at the top right, and tap Settings > Accessibility to turn on RTT or TTY. If you choose Always Visible, you can tap the RTT icon (a capital T) after dialing someone to start an RTT call, and you can tap to launch it during a call. To review transcripts of calls on Android, open your Phone app and tap Recents, choose the call you want, and then Call Details > See Transcript.
Photograph: Apple
For iPhone, you can turn on RTT or TTY in Settings > Accessibility > RTT/TTY, and you can select Software RTT/TTY or Hardware TTY. You can also choose RTT/TTY Call when calling someone and tap the RTT/TTY icon (looks like a landline phone) to answer a call or switch to text during a call. To review transcripts of calls on iPhone, open your Phone app and tap Recents, then the i next to the call. You will see the RTT/TTY icon next to calls with transcripts in your call history.
What This Means for You
- You can use hearing aid compatibility to connect hearing aids to your phone.
- Real-time text allows you to type responses during a call, although availability depends on your carrier and location.
- Google’s Pixel phones have specific accessibility features due to Google designing the hardware and regular updates for other Android phones.
Key Terms
- Hearing aid compatibility
- Real-time text (RTT)
- Teletype (TTY)
- Pixel phones
- Android phones
- On-device processing
- Firmware updates
ORIGINAL SOURCE: https://www.wired.com/story/smartphone-features-deaf-hard-of-hearing/
