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One of the Ways that Spoken Language can be Made Visible is Through the Use of Speech-to-Text (STT) Programs and Services.  This is also called captioning.

Find a captioner on the Global Alliance of Speech-to-Text Captioning website.

Find a captioner on the NCRA website.

Guidelines for Requesting Captioning Services, developed by the Global Alliance of Speech-to-Text Captioning, explains various methods of captioning and how to request services.

 

CAPTIONS

Captions are text versions of spoken words and auditory sounds onto visual media. Captions can also provide descriptions of background sounds, such as “music playing” or “phone ringing.” There are two kinds of captioning, open and closed.  Open captions always appear on the screen. Closed captions are hidden until activated.  Captions can be created by a professionally trained and certified human, or via automatic speech recognition.  

CART, Communication Access Realtime Translation

Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) is word-for-word instant speech-to-text translation provided on scene in just about any venue.  A professionally trained and certified CART provider (stenographer) listens to what is being said or heard and then types it on the stenograph machine, which is hooked to computer and a projector which connects to a screen or tablet where the words appear for one or more people to read. The stenographer can be on-site or remote and will 'write' everything heard, including environmental sounds, indicating a change in speaker, and audience reactions.

CART Brochure

CART flyer

CART Code of Ethics

CART Bill of Rights

CART Video by University of Arizona

Job Accommodation Network video about CART

Wireless, Streamlined Real-Time Captioning, with Text-on-Top

C-PRINT

Primarily used in educational settings, C-Print® was developed at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) to convert spoken messages into text.  A C-Print® typist, specially trained in text-condensing strategies types on a laptop computer using an abbreviation system.  The text is displayed on one or more student computer (laptop) monitors.  The transcriber does not provide a verbatim transcript but does provide a “meaning-for-meaning” rendition of the spoken English content.

TYPEWELL

TypeWell is a communication method to provide a “meaning-for-meaning” form of spoken English into English printed text. A trained TypeWell transcriber synthesizes the essence of the discussion and captures it using advanced abbreviation software. The recipient simultaneously sees the transcript using a standard Web browser on a computer, tablet, or smartphone. The captions can also be integrated into Zoom and other videoconferencing platforms. TypeWell was developed for classroom use but is also used in community settings, corporate meetings, webinars, and conferences.

 

RELAY CONFERENCE CAPTIONING (RCC)

Relay Conference Captioning is not a replacement for CART, C-Print, or TypeWell. Relay Conference Captioning is provided through the state-funded Arizona Relay Service and is to be used for teleconference calls when the user is an Arizona resident with an Arizona phone number. It is offered Monday-Friday from 8am-8pm and Saturday 8am-2pm AZ time and must be booked in advance. Please visit www.arizonarcc.com for more info, or reach out to Hard of Hearing Program Manager Michele Michaels at [email protected] for any questions or needed clarification.

AUTOMATIC SPEECH RECOGNITION (ASR)

ASR is a method of creating captions of what is heard via computers using artificial intelligence. ASR is currently being developed and used by a great many companies, but the product is not yet as accurate as a human captioner.

ASR is also being used in apps on smartphones, however there may not be a guarantee of confidentiality and privacy, so consumers should be very aware of that.

Your smartphone has a built-in microphone and free ASR which enables you to convert speech-to-text. Tap the microphone and speak into it, or have someone else speak into it, and try it out. 

 

The Hearing Loss Association of America has an excellent webpage on Captions.  


ADDING CAPTIONS TO A VIDEO FOR USE IN HIGHER EDUCATION?
Here is guidance from the ADA National Network.  

 

You can also add automatic speech recognition captions using Web Captioner.  These captions won't be completely accurate, but can be helpful.  Visit this site for instructions on how to use Web Captioner.

 

ADDING AUTO CAPTIONS TO A YOUTUBE VIDEO?

Here are directions about how to add and edit auto captions on YouTube videos.

Here are some more instructions on how to caption You Tube videos.


TELEVISION (Broadcast) CAPTIONING

The FCC regulates broadcast captioning. This link explains the rules (captions must be accurate, synchronous, complete, and properly placed) and describes the programming exempt from captioning, and what to do if you have a complaint. 

 

Aphasia is a language disorder resulting from damage to the brain.  Aphasia can make it difficult to speak, read, write, or understand.  Read more at the ASHA website.  

In Arizona, Friends of Aphasia is a resource that may be of help to you. 

Hearing Loss for a Day

Dianna Nanez, reporter for the Arizona Republic newspaper, experienced hearing loss for a day.  In this article she describes her experiences.


Alvan Adams with the Phoenix Suns volunteered to be "Hard of Hearing" for a day for a panel discussion at ALDAcon 2015.  In this video he shares his experiences on what it was like to experience hearing loss for a day.


Luis “Gonzo” Gonzales with the Arizona Diamondbacks volunteered to be "Hard of Hearing" for a day for a panel discussion at ALDAcon 2015.  In this video he shares his experiences on what it was like to experience hearing loss for a day.


Priscilla with MIX 96.9 volunteered to be "Hard of Hearing" for a day for a panel discussion at ALDAcon 2015.  In this video she shares her experiences on what it was like to experience hearing loss for a day.


JJ Putz with the Arizona Diamondbacks volunteered to be "Hard of Hearing" for a day for a panel discussion at ALDAcon 2015.  In this video he shares his experiences on what it was like to experience hearing loss for a day.

In May, ACDHH is celebrating 2022's Better Hearing and Speech Month "Connecting People". 

Follow our daily posts on Facebook and Twitter, read our weekly E-News, and watch this space for a new video in May!

 

FROM 2020:

HLAA Working Adults Chapter Leader Peggy Staples writes about being a hard of hearing employee.

 

Meet Dave Haas!

Before he retired, Michele Michaels interviewed Arizona Center for Disability Law’s Dave Haas on being a Hard of Hearing employee. #BetterHearingandSpeech #HardofHearing #ACDL #ACDHH

Meet Fran Saperstein!

Not all hard of hearing people work in offices. Some start their own businesses, write for a living, or even create art!  Today we’re pleased to reintroduce you to Fran Saperstein who is a working artist who is hard of hearing. Fran’s beautiful artwork can be found on online, and in this video Fran shares her amazing spirit and ‘can-do’ attitude that has led to her success.  If you have #hearingloss, we hope you flourish just like Fran has!

Meet Heidi Lovato!

In 2017, Heidi Lovato was the co-leader of the HLAA Arizona Working Adults chapter.  In this video and column, Heidi shares her journey as a person with hearing loss and her poignant experience as a hard of hearing person in the workplace.  Her story is one of acceptance, hope, and perseverance.  We hope you enjoy meeting Heidi and learning how she has adjusted to her hearing loss.

Meet Lynn Meyer!


This week we kick off Better Hearing and Speech Month 2020 with a video from the past by Lynn Meyer who is a licensed counselor in private practice and is herself hard of hearing. Lynn discusses some of the mental and behavioral health issues associated with being hard of hearing. You can reach Lynn by email at:  [email protected]

Archives for 2019 and previous years, including columns and videos, are found by looking to your right and clicking on BHSM Archives.

 

 

My Golden Hears is a blog by Riley, Shannon's hearing dog. Shannon and Riley live right here in Arizona!

Gathering Sound is a wonderfully educational website by Andrea, a lady with hearing loss. 

Living with Hearing Loss is a blog and online community for people living with hearing loss.  Founder Shari Eberts is an advocate, author, and speaker. 

Smart Hearing is a blog and website featuring the works of Katherine Bouton, author, advocate, and educator. 

Rip Wilson chronicles his hearing loss journey including his participation in a gene therapy trial. 

There are 3 cochlear implant companies in the U.S.:  Advanced Bionics, Cochlear Americas, and Med-El.  Some offer surgical solutions for both sensorineural and conductive hearing loss. 

The American Cochlear Implant Alliance is a wealth of information!

In this video, Dr. Stevens from Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix chats with several CI recipients about their experiences.  

In this TEDTalk video, Rebecca Knill weaves her hearing loss journey around the evolution of technology, societal attitudes, and inclusivity.

Rip Wilson chronicles his journey with getting a cochlear implant on his blog.

Learn more about the 3 Cochlear Implant companies here:

Advanced Bionics

Cochlear Americas

Med-El

The Adult Loss of Hearing Association in Tucson offers free monthly meetings via Zoom where you can learn more about cochlear implants. Check out Desert Cochlear Connections!

 

iOS apps for Kids and Adults

Android apps for Kids and Adults

If you believe your hearing loss has disabled you and you are not able to work, you can apply for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration.  Please be aware that receiving approval for benefits is often a long process. 

In the meantime, if you want to work but your disability is impacting your ability to find a job, please connect with the Arizona Vocational Rehabilitation program.

A local law firm may be able to assist you regarding disability benefits.  

If you have Diabetes, it is important to take charge of your hearing health!

Read more from the CDC.

How Can Face Masks Make It Hard to Hear?

Masks and Distancing: How to Help

Here is a list of the companies currently distributing, for a fee, clear face masks.  Check back with the site, as it is continuously updated.

Connect-Hear Knowledge Base has been updated with Mask resources.

Please follow this link to the Task Forces page:  https://www.acdhh.org/get-involved/task-forces/

Service dogs for the Hard of Hearing and the Deaf are often known as Hearing Dogs, who are trained to alert their owners to sounds that are necessary for everyday safety and independence. Examples of sounds can be a door knock, a smoke detector alarm, an alarm clock ringing, and so on. Hearing Dogs may be identified by wearing a “Hearing Dog” vest, but are not required to wear a vest or have a certification. However, they must be trained and are not pets. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Hard of Hearing and Deaf individuals are entitled to service dogs and are permitted to bring their service dog into public places.

Here is a list of where you can obtain a hearing dog, or train your own:

Hearing Service Dogs in AZ and USA

Here's a great blog by Shannon and her hearing dog Riley.  

Can you bring your hearing dog with you to work?  After reading Part 1, please read Part 2.

Guidance for Housing Providers and Assistance Animals

Just like physical therapy, when our hearing is impaired we need to engage in 'hearing therapy', also called Aural Rehabilitation.  

Arizona State University and the University of Arizona both offer free or very low-cost classes in Living Well With Hearing Loss. 

The Listening Room is a free online AR program from Advanced Bionics.

Advanced Bionics also makes their ReHab Portal available free of charge.

Cochlear America has some free AR programs online. Here's another one. Don't forget to learn how to "Telephone with Confidence"!

Med-El also provides some AR resources.

The Ida Institute has a free "Living Well" exercise online that you can work through by yourself or with your spouse or friend. 

Here are some additional resources for practicing hearing and listening: 

https://www.languageguide.org/english/

https://www.dailyesl.com/

 

Please contact Christy Abrams, Hard of Hearing Specialist, at [email protected] for information related to aural rehabilitation.

Anyone who has any level of hearing should protect their hearing from further damage.  One of the easiest ways to protect your hearing is by using foam earplugs.  Foam earplugs, also called "formable earplugs" must be inserted into the ear canal correctly so that hearing is protected.  Watch this video from the National Institute on Deafness and Communication Disorders (NIDCD) to learn more. 

You can also use a pre-molded earplug.  This video explains how to properly insert this type of earplug into the ear canal.

Choosing the Right Hearing Protector can be challenging.

If you have just recently become hard of hearing, or have just accepted that you’ve been struggling with hearing loss for a while, you've come to the right place! Here you will find answers to some of your questions and initial guidance on the next steps to managing your hearing loss.  Watch the video, read the brochure, share it with your loved ones and children, then contact the Hard of Hearing Program for more assistance. With over 1 million hard of hearing Arizonans, you are not alone!

Did you know that there is an International Federation of Hard of Hearing People? 

There is also a national Hearing Loss Association of America organization!

Here is a free online resource to help you improve your lipreading skills.

A speech language pathologist might also be able to assist you.  You can find one here.

Do you work in healthcare?  Are you a student in the healthcare field?  Are you hard of hearing?  If so, these resources may be helpful to you:

Association of Medical Professionals with Hearing Loss

Coalition for Disability Access in Health Science Education

Are you a musician who has hearing loss?

The Association of Adult Musicians with Hearing Loss may be a resource that is helpful to you!

For parents and caregivers of children who are hard of hearing or Deaf, find more info here: Family & Youth Resources

Looking for pediatric audiology services?  Check the national EHDI-PALS website for a list of resources right here in Arizona, continually updated by EHDI!

Concentration fatigue affects hard of hearing, deaf, and Deaf people. 

How does hearing loss affect the person with hearing loss and their partner or spouse? 

Everyone needs support at some time or another. Here is a list of the current hard of hearing support groups throughout Arizona:

  • HLAA West Valley (Sun City)
    HLAA West Valley website
  • HLAA Working Adults (Tempe)
  • HLAA Sun Lakes (Sun Lakes)
  • ALOHA in Tucson has many support groups meeting throughout Tucson and southern Arizona. Please check their website here for more info.
  • Tinnitus Support Group Online

 

There are also many online support groups:

  • Association of Late-Deafened Adults
  • Say What Club
  • Association of Adult Musicians with Hearing Loss
  • Association of Medical Professionals with Hearing Loss

HOT OFF THE PRESS!

The 2021 Toys to Avoid List of Noisy and Safe Toys!

For the 12th year in a row, our Hard of Hearing Specialist has gone out into the stores and tested the sound levels of some of the hottest toys on the market.  Any toy over 85dB can damage a child's hearing, so it is important to test the toy first, or make sure to limit the sound output and exposure time of any toy too loud for little ears.  Read more on our Press Release!

 

Television closed captioning should be:

1.  Accurate

2.  Synchronous

3.  Complete

4.  Properly Placed


Have a complaint about the captions on your television?  What should you do?

First, read this: https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us/articles/202752940-Your-Role-in-the-FCC-Consumer-Complaint-Process

Then, reach out to the FCC!  The complaint form is online here:  https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=36040

Scholarships & Resources for Students who are Hard of Hearing.

 

Arizonan Emmy Cartwright writes about her transition from high school to Northern Arizona University. 

 

Earlier, Emmy wrote about how to advocate for yourself when you go to college. 

If you are struggling with tinnitus, please visit the American Tinnitus Association for resources.  

ALOHA in southern AZ has online support group meetings for persons with tinnitus.

Wired magazine has a new, February 2022, article out about apps and gadgets to help you cope with tinnitus.

A therapist who has tinnitus has a You Tube channel with helpful videos. 

The Spring 2021 issue of Hearing Health Magazine is all about Tinnitus and Hyperacusis. 

The Spring 2020 issue of Tinnitus Today is available online for free!

Online Tinnitus Support Group

Hearing Tracker has an article about Self-Treatment of Tinnitus, including a list of apps.

Healthy Hearing has a series of articles regarding tinnitus, including What is Tinnitus, Tinnitus Relief and Remedies, Habituation, and Life After Tinnitus Habituation. 

Online Tinnitus First Aid Kit

Michele Linder writes about Getting Started with Solo Travel here.

Here are some resources to help you better understand if, how, and when captions are provided for videoconferences:

ACDHH Guide to Participating in Zoom Meetings

Video Conference Platforms Feature Matrix

Which Video Conference Platforms Allow for Integrated CART Captions? Read This!

Connect-Hear Knowledge Base

Accessibility Tips for a Better Zoom/Virtual Meeting Experience

Partnership on Employment and Accessible Technology

Center for Hearing and Communication

Zoom's Page on Captioning

Captioning Options for Videoconferencing and Learning Management Systems

Comparing Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet

Zoom: Manage Automatic Live Transcription ***

Taming the Zoom Chat Window by Richard Einhorn

HLAA How to Enable Captions in Zoom

Google Meet Now Free to Everyone and Has Live ASR *** Captions

Otter is Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) *** and is not verbatim captioning, however it can be used in the Zoom platform.

*** Please be aware that when you use ASR, it is possible that your conversation may not be kept private, so please check with the ASR product first.

For US Troops, Service-Connected Hearing Loss is a Big Problem.  

Hearing Loss is Widespread Amongst Post-911 Veterans.

The Veteran's Administration (VA) purchases more hearing aids than any other organization or company in the U.S.  Veterans and service members frequently report hearing loss and/or tinnitus issues. If you are a veteran, please consult with the VA to see if you can benefit from their audiology services. 

The Military Audiology Association has links regarding hearing aids and assistive listening devices for retired military personnel.  

The Department of Defense Hearing Center of Excellence provides information to active military, veterans, patients and families, researchers and providers. 

HLAA also provides veterans with free and low-cost services.

Oticon has information for veterans on its website.  

General information for veterans in AZ can be found here at Be Connected.

The 6th annual Arizona Walk4Hearing will be held on Saturday morning, November 6th 2021, at Mesa Riverview Park, the home of the Chicago Cubs Spring Training Camp, in Mesa, AZ.  Click here for the flyer.

There are dozens of walks that take place across the country and this will be the 6th annual Walk4Hearing to take place in the Phoenix metropolitan area.  Every year thousands of walkers from around the country – children and their families, young adults, young at heart, and everyone in between – form teams and walk in their communities to increase public awareness about hearing loss, help eradicate the stigma associated with it and raise funds for programs and services for the Hard of Hearing and Deaf.

Registration will be at 8:00 a.m. with the Walk starting at 10:00 a.m. The walk will be a 5K (3.1 miles) around the Cubs training facility and then turning east around the lake. Lots of free food, activities for the kids, and vendors will be present.

Sponsorships and alliances are available. Form your team today, or join the ACDHH Happy Feets team as we walk to support our community!

For more information, contact Ron Tallman at [email protected].  

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