Assistive technology has come a long way. No longer is it clunky or outdated, but today, smart devices are designed to support hearing, vision, and daily accessibility in a non-intrusive way and with relative ease. 

While older adults can benefit from this new technology, it's not just for them. Many people can benefit from the technology discussed in this article. Whether you need additional help or you can find an easier way to get tasks done, this technology is helping more and more people each day.

Help With Your Hearing

Hearing loss is an unfortunate effect of getting older, but technology can offset the effects. Here are some notable gadgets that have been made.

Smart Hearing Aids

Hearing aids have come a long way. New, modern hearing aids like ReSound and Phonak can implement with smartphones to stream phone calls, listen to music, and more. They have also improved by reducing background noises. The settings can be changed based on your environment. 

Amplified Phones and TV Listeners

If you’ve struggled to listen on the phone or TV, devices like CapTel and CaptionCall can give you real-time captioning of phone calls. This allows users to read what the caller is saying while listening. On the entertainment side, tools like TV Ears or wireless headphones provide clear, personal sound without blasting the volume for everyone else.

Conversation Boosting Apps

In group settings or noisy environments, you can use conversation boosting app like Live Transcribe on Android or Otter.ai on different platforms to turn spoken words into readable text in real time. They require only a smartphone or tablet and a basic internet connection.

Help With Your Vision

The following pieces of technology assist your vision when it is slowly declining due to cataracts, aging eyes, or other factors. 

Screen Readers and Magnifiers

Most smartphones and computers now include screen reading software. iPhones use VoiceOver, Android devices use TalkBack, and Windows offers the free NVDA reader. These tools read on-screen text aloud, making emails, websites, and apps accessible.

Digital magnifier apps like SuperVision+ let users zoom in on menus, medicine labels, or anything else with small print. Some can freeze an image so you can study it longer without needing to hold a phone up the whole time.

Smart Glasses and Wearable Aids

Smart glasses now are being used in everyday settings. You can either get a pair of your own or use attachments like the OrCam MyEye Pro which can read printed text aloud to you. Some models also recognize faces and identify products using a small onboard camera.

Voice Assistants

Commonly used voice assistant like Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant are helpful for completing tasks without having to use a screen. As long as you can converse, you can use these. Some things the voice assistants are able to do are ask for the weather, set reminders, and initiate phone conversations.

Help with Mobility and Daily Living

Mobility challenges can make daily tasks more difficult, but smart tools can bridge the gap. These devices support safety and independence in the home and on the go.

Voice-Controlled Smart Home Devices

Examples of smart home devices include smart plugs, thermostats, and lights that you can control with either an app or even just your voice, making it easier for mobility impaired people to get what should be simple tasks done easily. For example, you can say “Alexa, turn off the bedroom light” or “Hey Google, set the thermostat to 72.” This eliminates the need to reach for switches or knobs.

Fall Detection and Emergency Devices

Falls can be extremely dangerous especially for older adults who are living alone. If you fall and can’t get up to notify somebody, you may be waiting for a very long time before somebody can help. Wearable devices like Apple Watch and LivelySmart include fall detection and can automatically call for help. Medical Guardian and similar systems offer GPS tracking and two-way talk buttons to alert emergency services or family members.

Hands-Free Tools and Household Helpers

Some examples of hands-free tools are electric can openers, jar openers, and grabber tools to reduce strain on joints and muscles. Also, robotic household cleaners like Roombas help to limit the amount of mobility you have to exert while doing common chores. 

Help With Medication and Health Management

Remembering to take medication or monitor health is easier and safer with smart tools designed to help.

Smart Pill Dispensers

Hero and MedMinder are devices that dispense the correct dose at scheduled times as your own personalized nurse. It alerts you with lights or sounds. It’s become very common to miss out on a dose without the assistance of technology. These even notify a caregiver if you miss a dose as an added backup protection.

Wearable Health Trackers

Smart watches keep coming out with new features for health and fitness. First tracking steps taken, new models are able to monitor heart rate, sleep activity, and amount of exercise minutes. The trackers can be linked to your doctor, so they get a real-time look in at your health or to review at your next appointment.

Telehealth Appointments

For those who hate going to appointments, telehealth appointments have gotten more support ever since the pandemic. Now, getting a routine checkup can be done virtually over the phone to get new medications or review symptoms you are having.