Have you seen the latest Apple iPhone Live Voicemail update for people with hearing loss?

Imagine being able to see a real-time transcription as someone is leaving you a voicemail. This Apple® iPhone® Live Voicemail update is one of five great accessibility features from Apple’s latest iOS17 software update, that could make life easier for those with hearing loss. Check out the list here for a detailed explanation of what each one does and how you may benefit.

Apple has released a range of new functions with its recent software update, iOS17, including hearing accessibility features. Here are five of the most useful features that could help those with hearing loss.

1. Live Voicemail is a new mainstream feature that allows you to automatically see a real-time transcription as someone is leaving you a phone message. You’ll see the voicemail content displayed on your lock screen at the same time as the caller is speaking. If it’s something important, you can answer the call.
2. The Live Speech function lets you type what you want to say and then have it spoken out loud when you’re making or taking phone calls or FaceTime® You can also use this when having a conversation in person.
3. For clearer hearing, you can adjust various settings for phone features that are voice-based. For example, you can choose a voice and dialect or adjust the speaking rate, and you can adjust the pitch range for each of your preferred voices for VoiceOver and Spoken Content.
4. Overcome issues understanding Siri®, Apple’s voice activated personal assistant, by adjusting the Siri speaking rate. Now, you can customize the speed at which Siri speaks to you.
5. Siri voices in VoiceOver have been improved so they sound even better at high rates of speech feedback. VoiceOver is a gesture-based screen reader that’s useful for people with vision impairment. It gives audible descriptions of what’s on your screen. Adjusting the speaking rate and pitch to suit your needs is useful for those with both hearing loss and vision impairment.

Learn more about iPhone accessibility features here.

1. Apple, and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

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Jen Schulz

Jen Schulz is an Associate Marketing Manager and has worked for Cochlear since 2016. She is responsible for creating and publishing recipient services content and communications. Jen was born and raised in New York but now calls Colorado home. She enjoys baking in her spare time and spending time with her husband and 2 dogs.