The Bridg’d app assists the deaf and hard of hearing by combining live transcription and quick text-to-speech tech in one simple app. The purpose of Bridg’d is to create a communication bridge between the deaf/hard-of-hearing and hearing worlds. Bridg’d is making it possible for both worlds to interact with each other more effectively and without the need for third-party assistance. Thanks to Bridg’d, the awkwardness and difficulty of communication barriers are now a thing of the past.

How it works

When a user wants to hold a conversation with a speaker, the Bridg’d user will turn on the app on their mobile device and begins a “Bridge”. By typing words on the screen, the Bridg’d user can have their words converted into verbal speech at the press of a button. The speaker can hear and understand the Bridg’d user’s words through the phone. The speaker then responds with normal speech, which the app picks up and converts back into written text on the screen. Thus, the Bridg’d user can read and understand the speaker’s words. This can be done back and forth, and in real-time as if carrying out a normal conversation.

Helping the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

There are many situations where the Bridg’d app will have many benefits and applications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. A Bridg’d user can easily communicate with other family members and relatives who do not know sign language. A Bridg’d user will be more confident in public interactions, such as ordering food in a restaurant or asking where to find an item in a store. A Bridg’d user will be able to communicate better with police and emergency responders if the situation arises. Even the Bridg’d app could be used as simple as saying “Excuse me please” to someone standing in front of you at the grocery store. The possibilities are endless!

Bridg’d will be available in the summer of 2023 with a 7-day free trial.