[mothergoose#ac]

I need the best device for video chat for my daughter who is Deaf. It must be of good quality and easy to use, and work anywhere.
(She cannot communicate by voice, but she can in sign language, over video).
Would the epic 4g be good? Would the upcoming Galaxy tablet be good?
Is there something coming out in the near future that would be better?
Thanks for any advice.

[Dragoneer]

mothergoose, I'm glad that you came to this forum to ask us some questions about Deaf needs. I'm Deaf and am fluent in ASL. Since I own a Motorola Droid X, I would not recommend your daughter to use this certain Android-based device. So far, the best one, which is suitable for Deaf individuals, would be HTC Evo 4G by Sprint. However, it all depends on where you and/or your daughter lives, Sprint might not have excellent coverage in the area. While I'm "stuck" with Verizon (and I prefer Verizon), I'm looking forward to their next Android-based device with front-facing cam for mobile video chat.

So, my suggestion is for you to wait for something better coming out in the near future. Especially with Verizon.

Please feel free to PM me for anything!

[sumyunguy]

As a hearing individual, just wondering what makes for a good vs bad user experience for a deaf individual with regard to mobile devices? Obviously, aimed at android devices, but also just in general.

[dcdttu]

I know this is an Android forum, but you might also look into the iPhone... It's very easy to use their video chat (facetime), but it only works over Wifi I think.

I have the Evo, and the video chat on it isn't that great, in my opinion. The video quality the few times I used it were not good. This might be because I was on the 3G network, and not Wifi.

Hope that helps.

[DavidDB]

Im a Happy Android User - Born severely hearing impaired and wear two hearing aids.

I use the Desire from HTC because at the time it was the best available android handset in the UK.

The ringer is pretty useless even after scouring hundreds of ring-tones listed as "Loud" (I have also got a cheap plastic $10 PAYGO handset from Samsung I no longer use - but that can wake the dead - I suggest HTC buy their speakers from Samsung). Would be interesting to know if the Galaxy S performs as well as my cheap example.

A Really NEAT trick would be if there was an app to Flash the Camera Flash as an aid to the ringer.

I think All phones should be hearing Aid compatible by default.

Sometimes I can hear calls better if I use the speaker phone as at least I got TWO hearing aids working to pick up the voice the other end, but this only really works if im in a quiet environment.

I have been told (by people that should know better) I dont need a phone and I should be grateful for cheap Text Plans.
Well Up-Yours soldier! TEXT is so 1970's and while its been a boon its importance and relevance is diminishing daily. And I have never subscribed to Teletype machines - They are a walled garden from hell. Slow - slumberous - tied to a wall outlet, and while great for talking to other deaf people and government call centres they really only reinforce a deaf ghetto.

Android LIBERATES the deaf community, BUT - they are still expensive devices for a group of people that may be on low wages or retired.

But at least I can now Text, facebook, MSN, Yahoo, Gtalk and twitter with the best of them - and to many hundreds of my followers I doubt they even know or care Im deaf - Just as it should be.

Now my pet Campaign, Deaf people get a lousy deal when it comes to mobile Tariffs.
I have had a mobile for 30 years since the very early Nokia Bricks in that time EVERY SINGLE MONTH im billed for "Talk Time" I cannot use - dont want - and its really bugging me.
Every single network here in the UK advertises Free Talk time - Hundreds of minutes All free - sign Here! - Well as we all know there is no such thing as FREE (much the same as Unlimited ha!).

Deaf people deserve a better deal from the networks - I would not mind paying for every call made on my phone - its only ever used like a Telegraph - I call a relative to say - Im at the Station Pick me up - Its rarely a conversation as such. But I also NEED to know I can Call emergency services - so don't tell me I don't need a phone. (Many people have!)

So petition for a better deal for the deaf at every opportunity - let the Networks know there are 32 MILLION customers LIKE US - (6 Million in the UK).

I was delighted to see Obama Signs Law to Aid Deaf, Blind With Digital-Age Devices. THIS is something he could do NOW - and would not cost the taxpayer a cent - its also good consumer law - Then perhaps we can push the UK Government to follow suit ...

Now where is that LIKE button?

[PvilleComp]

I just finished reading this thread and went over to Gizmodo. Lo and behold there was this story.



Don't know if these hearing aids would help or not but a Blue Tooth hearing aid sounds like a good step.

[DavidDB]

Then - Top of my Wish List From Google (SciFi Division)

Real Time Subtitles (Closed Captioning) -
Give My World SUBTITLES - for the Millions of Deaf and Hard of Hearing people that hate their phones -

[DavidDB]

I just finished reading this thread and went over to Gizmodo. Lo and behold there was this story.

Don't know if these hearing aids would help or not but a Blue Tooth hearing aid sounds like a good step.

I saw that post too - sounds brilliant - Just got to sell a kidney and I think ill be sorted

[takeshi]

It must be of good quality and easy to use, and work anywhere.

FYI -- no carrier has coverage everywhere despite whatever their marketing departments and coverage maps may claim. You really need to assess real world coverage (do not rely on coverage maps) where she needs it most.

[m0mmad]

There are hearing aids that have what is called T Coils and it could work similar to blue tooth. Unfortunately the phone is not a T Coil phone

[musthavemuzk]

Im a Happy Android User - Born severely hearing impaired and wear two hearing aids.

I use the Desire from HTC because at the time it was the best available android handset in the UK.

The ringer is pretty useless even after scouring hundreds of ring-tones listed as "Loud" (I have also got a cheap plastic $10 PAYGO handset from Samsung I no longer use - but that can wake the dead - I suggest HTC buy their speakers from Samsung). Would be interesting to know if the Galaxy S performs as well as my cheap example.

A Really NEAT trick would be if there was an app to Flash the Camera Flash as an aid to the ringer.

I think All phones should be hearing Aid compatible by default.

Sometimes I can hear calls better if I use the speaker phone as at least I got TWO hearing aids working to pick up the voice the other end, but this only really works if im in a quiet environment.

I have been told (by people that should know better) I dont need a phone and I should be grateful for cheap Text Plans.
Well Up-Yours soldier! TEXT is so 1970's and while its been a boon its importance and relevance is diminishing daily. And I have never subscribed to Teletype machines - They are a walled garden from hell. Slow - slumberous - tied to a wall outlet, and while great for talking to other deaf people and government call centres they really only reinforce a deaf ghetto.

Android LIBERATES the deaf community, BUT - they are still expensive devices for a group of people that may be on low wages or retired.

But at least I can now Text, facebook, MSN, Yahoo, Gtalk and twitter with the best of them - and to many hundreds of my followers I doubt they even know or care Im deaf - Just as it should be.

Now my pet Campaign, Deaf people get a lousy deal when it comes to mobile Tariffs.
I have had a mobile for 30 years since the very early Nokia Bricks in that time EVERY SINGLE MONTH im billed for "Talk Time" I cannot use - dont want - and its really bugging me.
Every single network here in the UK advertises Free Talk time - Hundreds of minutes All free - sign Here! - Well as we all know there is no such thing as FREE (much the same as Unlimited ha!).

Deaf people deserve a better deal from the networks - I would not mind paying for every call made on my phone - its only ever used like a Telegraph - I call a relative to say - Im at the Station Pick me up - Its rarely a conversation as such. But I also NEED to know I can Call emergency services - so don't tell me I don't need a phone. (Many people have!)

So petition for a better deal for the deaf at every opportunity - let the Networks know there are 32 MILLION customers LIKE US - (6 Million in the UK).

I was delighted to see Obama Signs Law to Aid Deaf, Blind With Digital-Age Devices. THIS is something he could do NOW - and would not cost the taxpayer a cent - its also good consumer law - Then perhaps we can push the UK Government to follow suit ...

Now where is that LIKE button?

kinda like 911 calls...seen a few articles lately about allowing text pic and vid to 911 calls. in some cases it is not wise to call. such as one where it would endanger lives. or in the case of deaf people they cannot make a call. so allowing text i think is good.

Monty