Name a task, and there is a great chance there is an app for it. There are apps for health, productivity, entertainment, navigation, banking, and a zillion other applications. If you have a hearing loss, some apps can assist you with making life a little bit easier. The following is a listing of a few of the better apps for phone captioning that are available on the market today.

Hamilton CapTel

If you have trouble hearing telephone conversations, this free app from Hamilton CapTel may be the one for you. The app, which works with iOS and Android devices, lets you listen to a phone conversation while reading word-for-word captions of conversation. Account registration, voice plan, data plan, and a Bluetooth or wired headset compatible with hearing aids or cochlear implants is required.

Subtitles Viewer!

This free app designed for iOS devices provides subtitles for your favorite movie or television show. The app synchronizes what you are watching on the big screen with your smartphone. It offers subtitles in English, Spanish, and numerous other languages.

ClearCaptions

An iOS and Android app, ClearCaptions gives you the ability to see captions and hear a call at the same time with a voice and data connection. A one-time access fee, required by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), is charged and then the app is free to use.

Live Caption

An iOS or Android device and a $4.99 fee will give you an app that will help you understand the server at your favorite restaurant. A server can speak directly to your smartphone, and Live Caption will transcribe it in real time. A user just presses the microphone button on the keyboard, speaks in a normal tone, and text appears. The app is compatible with Bluetooth devices and in-ear microphones.

CC Player

If you enjoy playing videos on your iOS or Android, CC Player may be a good choice for you. This cross-platform video player will help make understanding your videos easier. CC Player makes it possible to watch live streams and videos while using closed captioning.

Gaming and Reference Apps

• Z One Stop makes it easier for you to receive up-to-date information regarding the hearing impaired community. It pulls favorite blogs and news feed into one place. Z One Stop is a free app.
• Happyneuron is a collection of games which stimulate cognitive functions. Several of the games focus solely on sound, so it is excellent for exercising your hearing. Happyneuron offers a free seven-day trial, but users must purchase a membership at the conclusion of the trial. Prices range from $14.90 per month to $290 for a lifetime membership.
• LACE is a program that teaches you different techniques for listening if you have hearing loss. By using a series of 20-minute training sessions, LACE shows you different ways to listen and communicate in hard-to-hear environments at the cost of $79.

Yes, smartphone apps are here to stay. If you have a hearing loss, put technology to work for you. These apps can make watching television, ordering food, and understanding conversation in noisy environments a breeze.