Otosense mobile app is developed to aid the deaf and hard of hearing to be alerted by various sounds. Although the people who are hard of hearing have hearing aids, they are still prone to dangerous situations because they cannot hear certain sounds clear or loud enough. As sounds are mostly the crucial information our brain processes to detect danger, this app aims at helping the physically unfortunate people with the same.
How does Otosense work?
Otosense has its own predefined library of noises such as of fire alarms and doorbells. The user can also teach it other sounds and store them in the database of sounds. This can be done for up to 10 sounds and the app makers are working to increase that to 50. When the app recognizes any of these sounds, it can flash a light on the mobile, or the smart phone, can vibrate or notify via SMS, Pebble Watch or even Philips Hue smart Lights. If the smartphone is not in the proximity of the deaf user, there is no way for them to know even if it vibrates or a text message appears. Hence, the app can be synced with Philips Hue smart lights which when detects dangerous sounds can turn off and on or dim down a bit or change colour to indicate to the person of a probable danger or a doorbell or likewise.
An Internet connection is not required for the functioning of this App. However if you want to establish a ‘listening network’ among all your devices, you must be connected to the internet to sync the sound database to all your other smart devices.
Feedback for App
A lot of people who have used the app so far are very happy with it. They use it for all sorts of things like the whistle of a cooker, the microwave beep, the alarm sound and likewise. Even people who aren’t deaf or hard of hearing have installed this app which has been useful for them while they’re wearing headphones and watching a movie or hearing a song.
Pros
- It doesn’t require internet for sound recognition.
- Good interface.
- Maintains a cloud to maintain a ‘listening network’ among all smart devices.
Cons
- Limited storage (only 10 sounds can be saved for now.)
- Uses a lot of processing power.
The app is currently free to download form the Play Store until the launch period. The iOS app is due release.
