From overcoming visual impairments to the difficulties of using new technology, learn how text to speech can help senior citizens access more content online.

How text to speech can help senior citizens

While younger generations thrive on using modern technology, such changes can be challenging for older people. Unfortunately, new apps and devices leave many older adults behind. But technological advancements have also delivered groundbreaking assistive technology that can improve the quality of life for the elderly and people with reading impairments. From telling Alexa what song to play to smartphone apps counting your steps, modern technology has delivered for the elderly.

Here we’ll focus on the many benefits and life-saving features of text to speech technology, also known as TTS, and how they can bring about significant improvements in the everyday lives of the elderly.

What is text to speech?

Text to speech technology allows users to have texts delivered in audio format. Any document, including books, emails, and reports, is available as an audio cast. For people with learning disabilities, elderly people, and those suffering from visual impairments, real-time TTS technology can be the difference between communication and isolation.

By decoding text and delivering its content as an audio file, the assistive software makes any document accessible to anyone, especially those with difficulty reading. It reads out any text aloud, which is helpful for older adults, people with dyslexia and ADHD, and anyone who finds reading challenging.

TTS is accessible on all devices, including personal computers, tablets, and smartphones. The voice processing the text is easy to follow and understand, even for people with hearing aids. Speech synthesis has become so advanced that children can listen while reading the text as the software highlights it during delivery.

For older people, text to speech assistive technology has been life-changing in many ways.

How can text to speech help senior citizens?

As people age, communication can become increasingly difficult. Many older adults develop hearing loss and failing vision. For caregivers and healthcare providers, these impairments can make simple tasks like making a phone call or delivering a message a challenging task.

Text to speech technology has been a true game-changer for older adults. Let’s look at how TTS can help older people.

Staying independent

With the decline of auditory and visual capabilities, older adults can become dependent even if they remain mentally strong. TTS can bridge the gap and reopen the channels of communication. Moreover, assistive technology provides access to the internet by delivering web pages, facilitating email communication, and opening up e-learning.

Maintaining great communication

For the overall well-being of an older adult, good communication is vital. With text to speech technology, the elderly can keep in touch and won’t suffer isolation or loneliness.

Continuing to learn

Thanks to TTS technology, visual impairments or other learning disabilities won’t get in the way of learning. Websites providing information and learning for older adults usually feature text to speech technology so that they can continue enjoying texts and learning.

Enjoying the best in entertainment

Older citizens can also benefit from improved cognition by listening to audiobooks. TTS allows people to stay mentally active, which has far-reaching benefits.

What are other ways assistive technology can help senior citizens?

Many other assistive technology tools and devices can help senior citizens navigate their daily tasks. While all tools have limits and are likely to come with a disclaimer, they can significantly improve the quality of life of older adults and their loved ones.

Here’s a list of the best assistive technology tools for senior citizens.

Safety tools

Two types of safety tools can put everyone’s mind at ease:

• Personal alarms allow older adults to notify loved ones in an emergency. Some wearables connect to loved ones’ devices and message them if they detect a fall or any unusual activity.
• Home telecare systems monitor the movement of an elderly person within the home, immediately notifying caregivers of sudden changes.

Voice to text software—Speech recognition systems

Hearing-impaired people or those with minor hearing loss benefit significantly from using voice to text or voice recognition software. The software’s recognition accuracy has become so sophisticated that the transcriptions are exceptional.

Anyone can dictate a text or message, and the software will turn it into a document ready to send.

Note that voice to text is not the same as text to speech.

Health monitors

Self-care is much easier for older adults with the availability of health monitors. They can track their vitals and consult a healthcare professional if necessary.

Memory aids, step counters, voice-command devices, and touch-only tablets are also among the best assistive technology tools.

Speechify—Assistive technology for older people

Speechify is an excellent text to speech tool for older people and people with reading difficulties. The Speechify TTS technology is available in English and 13 other languages and accessible on android and iOS.

Using it is easy. You can upload a document and see it instantly transform into an audio file. Moreover, Speechify has an expansive audiobook library where you can find a wealth of bestsellers in fiction and non-fiction. Better still, the first book is free when you sign up.

Speechify’s audio quality is exceptional. Even if you use hearing aids, you can enjoy every single syllable.

FAQ

How does text to speech help people?

Text to speech technology not only helps people with learning disabilities but also delivers a fast and easy way to process any type of text for anyone. From audiobooks to podcasts and document delivery, TTS allows people to access any kind of text without them having to read it.

How does text to speech help people with disabilities?

For anyone with a disability, including dyslexia and visual impairment, text to speech can be groundbreaking as it opens up a new way of processing documents beyond reading.

Who can benefit from text to speech?

Anyone who finds reading challenging or lacks time to read will find text to speech technology one of the best technological advancements.

What is a voice to text device for the elderly?

Voice to text software allows you to speak into a device and have it turn your speech into a written document. For elderly people, automatic speech recognition (ASR) can deliver emails, letters, and all other document types, which is especially helpful for those with disabilities.

What are the benefits of text to speech for older adults?

As people age, their eyesight deteriorates, making reading challenging and exhausting. With text to speech technology, they can continue enjoying reading, whether a great novel or SMS. For their loved ones, TTS promotes good communication and better relationships as a result.