Two new mobile apps launched to help deaf community

SINGAPORE — When a fire alarm goes off, it is a signal to move to somewhere safe, but those who are hearing-impaired and cannot hear the alarm — or any other warning sounds — may be left in danger.

A new application aims to tackle this problem. When launched and left running on a mobile device, it can detect warning sounds, such as the whistle of a boiling kettle or a fire alarm, and notify the user via a 20-second vibration and message. Users can set up to 10 alarms for sounds that might include that of a baby crying.

Called Hearing Aide, it is one of two apps developed by advertising firm Grey Group Singapore in collaboration with the Singapore Association for the Deaf (SADeaf), as part of Grey’s corporate social responsibility efforts.

The second app, called Say It With Signs, aims to help the user make phone calls to a deaf person. The user can make a voice call using the app, which converts his message into sign language for the deaf person, who can then respond to the caller via text message through the app.

The apps have been developed for Android devices. SADeaf said there are about 500,000 people in Singapore who suffer from hearing impairment. In a statement, SADeaf President Christopher Low said: “I have no doubt that our clients will be looking forward to having the apps installed on their phones.”

Speaking at the launch of the apps yesterday, Grey Chief Creative Officer Ali Shabaz said he hoped to see at least one million downloads worldwide for the apps, which will be available for free on Google Play from Friday.

The apps are among several that have been developed here in recent years to serve people with disabilities. Last year, Grey developed Lend an Eye, an app for the visually-impaired, as did StarHub and advertising agency Tribal DDB with their app, MySmartEye. To cater to the visually- and hearing-impaired, StarHub launched a special mobile service plan called SmartBuddy, which costs less than other comparable mobile plans and comes bundled with more data, which is useful for video calls and voice navigation apps.

When queried, StarHub declined to reveal the sign-up rate for SmartBuddy, but said it was “healthy”.

SADeaf Executive Officer James Ong Kay Chin, who was present yesterday at the launch, recalled how he was once almost knocked down by a passing fire engine as he could not hear its sirens. “I believe that the rest of the (deaf) community also face similar problems. With this app, it can really save their lives,” he said.