IRVINE, CALIFORNIA – InnoCaption, a provider of real-time call captioning technology, has announced new Text-to-Speech (TTS) features designed to support phone conversations for users with hearing loss or speech disabilities who may have difficulty speaking or being understood on calls.
The new capabilities – QuickSpeak, Saved Phrases, and AI Refine – aim to improve the efficiency of traditional text-to-speech tools and support more natural phone conversations. The features are intended for individuals who rely on typing to communicate during calls.
With more than a decade of experience in call captioning technology, InnoCaption says the features were developed in response to feedback from members of the deaf and hard of hearing community seeking smoother and more authentic conversations when typing responses during calls.
The features are integrated into the InnoCaption app, which allows users to choose between AI captioning or live human stenographers on each call. InnoCaption is FCC-certified and available at no cost to eligible individuals in the United States with hearing loss or speech disabilities.
New Features Designed to Support Phone Communication
QuickSpeak: Pre-written phrases that are voiced aloud immediately when selected. These are intended for short, frequently used messages such as “Please hold while I’m typing.”
Saved Phrases: A customizable library where users can store commonly used phrases and organize them for quick access. These phrases can be edited and incorporated into longer messages during a call.
AI Refine: A generative AI feature that converts short phrases (for example, “make appointment”) into complete sentences, allowing users to focus more on the conversation rather than typing.
AI Practice Calls: A feature that allows users to practice using the new TTS tools with AI-generated personas in simulated scenarios such as ordering food or calling a doctor’s office.
According to InnoCaption, early testing of the AI Refine feature suggests it may help improve the flow of conversations by allowing users to express more complex thoughts more quickly during calls.
“We are constantly striving to build solutions that meet the needs of our user community,” said Paul Lee, InnoCaption’s Chief Operating Officer. “AI Refine is a prime example of how we can responsibly leverage cutting-edge AI to create a positive impact. Our commitment is to break down communication barriers, and these new features are the latest step in making every conversation more authentic and accessible for our users.”
The company also highlighted feedback from users who rely on these tools in daily communication.
“Most of the world expects deaf people to communicate in ways that are not built for us. With AI Refine and text-to-speech shortcuts, InnoCaption has given me the right tools to help me be heard – one that doesn’t change who I am but changes how clearly I am being understood.”
–Hayden Daum, InnoCaption user and social media influencer
“InnoCaption has long helped deaf and hard of hearing individuals make phone calls through its excellent captioning and text-to-speech functionality,” says Warren “Wawa” Snipe, an InnoCaption user, who is also a pioneering Deaf recording artist, actor, and creator of “Dip Hop” (hip hop reimagined by Deaf artists). “The new AI Refine feature is a game changer that allows me to type a few words and transform them into a full clear sentence. It helps me stay focused on the call and not the keyboard – because I don’t have to worry about typing perfectly or falling behind in a conversation.”
QuickSpeak, Saved Phrases, and AI Refine are now available in the InnoCaption app for iOS and Android.
About InnoCaption
InnoCaption is an accessibility technology company dedicated to helping people break down barriers to telecommunication in their everyday lives. Available on iOS, Android, and the web, our app provides best-in-class call captioning to deaf and hard of hearing individuals, as well as advanced text-to-speech features for those who don’t voice for themselves. Because we are FCC-certified and funded through the Telecommunications Relay Service fund, our service is free for eligible users.
Founded in 2007, InnoCaption is based in Irvine, California. Visit www.innocaption.com to learn more.
Source: InnoCaption
