People everywhere are marveling at the capabilities of a revolutionary pair of high-tech glasses that are transforming communication for the deaf and hard of hearing. As of 2021, an estimated 11 million Americans identify as deaf or experience significant hearing challenges. Surprisingly, only 250,000 to 500,000 are fluent in American Sign Language (ASL), which poses a significant barrier for those who cannot lip-read.
However, the introduction of XRAI Glass’s augmented reality (AR) glasses is set to make these challenges a thing of the past. These AR glasses enable wearers to see visual transcriptions of conversations, effectively providing live subtitles for the spoken word.
A demonstration video has circulated showing the remarkable functionality of these glasses, capturing widespread attention and admiration. One user of the technology shared his enthusiasm, saying, “It’s powerful. The power and the importance for people who are hard of hearing all over the world [and] to feel like they don’t solely have to rely on lip reading anymore is a really big moment.”
Not only do these glasses assist with everyday communication, but they also have the capability to translate different languages. This feature is incredibly useful for international travel, allowing users to understand local dialects in their chosen language.
The technology was inspired by the CEO of XRAI, who saw his grandfather, who was hard of hearing, using subtitles to watch TV. This sparked the idea to create a device that could “subtitle the world.” To utilize the technology, users must connect the glasses to an app on their smartphone. While the app is free in its standard version, the glasses themselves are priced at around £449.00 ($354.00), depending on the model.
The innovation has recently been a hot topic on Reddit, where users have expressed their excitement and approval. “Great innovation this. Keep making the tech smaller and this is something for the future,” commented one user. “These are awesome,” said another. A third chimed in, “The first wearable tech I’d ever even consider. I’m losing my hearing rapidly, and I’m not sure everyday use of hearing aids suits me.”
Those who have experienced the glasses firsthand share glowing reviews, with one person expressing their astonishment upon trying them. Another individual, who relies on lip reading, described the glasses as a ‘game-changer,’ especially during the pandemic when face masks were common and reading lips became an even greater challenge.