Speech to Text with the Phonak Roger System

Altho I have no hearing left, I’m seriously thinking of buying the Phonak Roger System with the Roger NeckLoop to give me access to speech to text.

Phonak has advertised it but has anyone used it? How accurate is it?

I know there’s Apps on the Android and iOS but that doesn’t help when the person is quite far away.

I would only need the NeckLoop and a Microphone as I don’t need it going to my ears anymore.

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The PDF you linked provides a way to use a Roger mic in a wired approach. It would help somewhat if used this way as the Roger is a more powerful microphone and works for a greater distance, than the ones on laptops or cell phones, but you would not be able to use it remotely as you are limited to the length of the cable. I cannot think of a wireless option as the neckloop converts the FM signal of the Roger microphone (such as the Roger On) to the electro magnetic signal read by a telecoil such as the telecoils available in many hearing aids. I don’t know of any phones or computers with telecoil capability.
I think you might try instead the Phonak remote microphone which I believe, unlike the Roger, uses Bluetooth. That should be able to work directly with a cell phone or laptop app, though I have no experience with this. The Phonak Partner mic is not as powerful a microphone (it has less distance) but it would provide you with is a big improvement.
I can’t help asking if you are considering a cochlear implant if you have no hearing left. It has been known to completely restore hearing.

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Thank you @LawyerFL

I’m actually going to enquire about getting a CI.

I have a bleeding disorder where my immune system attacks my platelets which means my blood doesn’t clot so they may say no to elective surgery.

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I would try this

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Or google by words “speech to text glasses” - there will be many companies with different subtitle glasses.

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The Hearing Loss Assoc will have vendors giving demo’s of various caption glasses at its June 9 Convention in Indianapolis. That sounds like a good approach for you to get captions on the lens of these special glasses which can also have prediction lens if needed.

If you go to a meeting in a place where the public is invited, such as a hotel or library, you can ask in advance to have captions projected on a screen or TV. Ask for CART, a type of captioning accommodation required by the U.S. ADA

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I meant prescription lens

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But actually I think a Prediction Lens is exactly what you would want.
Through a technology that reads brain waves, it could display the text of persons in real time, or even before they get their words out. Just thinking what they are about to voice, will have their words displayed. Patent that name, and you are golden!

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I bought a Roger NeckLoop and I can safely say, the Phonak Speech to Text option is amazing.

I just can’t figure it out. What is the purpose of the Roger Neckloop here? Does it work as a microphone here? If this is the case, why can’t you use the built-in microphone of your smartphone or computer?

I’ve downloaded this App.

Plugged the NeckLoop body into my iPhone with a USB C to USB C cable and what comes through the Phonak Roger Clip On Mic, is written on my iPhone via the App.

I’ve used NALscribe without the Roger and it’s not accurate when the person or persons are further away from me.

It’s more accurate when each person is wearing a Mic rather than using a Table Mic as it’s further away from the person mouth.

I have a Clip On Mic and my Step Mum has given me her Roger On as she doesn’t use it.

Unlikely to be with more then 2 people at once.

Should add that I know sign language but unfortunately 99% of the people I meet in life, don’t know sign language.

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I’m interested in how this works as I’m looking at a mandated 2 days per week in the office.

I’m guessing you have the 2nd Gen Roger Neckloop? I have a Roger On v1, plus previous Gen Neckloop, a Pen 1.1, a Select 3 and the Roger Clip Mic. Virtually all of this has been purchased at various times by my employer (my pockets aren’t that deep).

As my Neckloop lacks a USB C, I tried using the On as the ‘bridge’ to my iPad and linked the Select to the On. Didn’t seem to work though. Is the Neckloop the critical part?

Yes as it’s a receiver, it receives the signal from the Mic.

Have a look on eBay for a second generation NeckLoop. Doesn’t need to have the actual NeckLoop attached as you just need the base.

I paid £30 brand new for my NeckLoop on eBay.

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So Neckloop works here as receiver for other mics. Now everything is clear. Thanks for the explanation.

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Cool, thanks. I note they’re not super spendy full price so I’ll keep my eyes out.

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Honesty this has been life changing for me with no hearing left.

I can use just my iPhone with the Speech to Text App and I can use the Roger set up in other situations.

When I am walking tho, I still need to lipread as reading my iPhone and walking at the same time, will result in me falling over!

:stuck_out_tongue:

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Have you tried other apps before settling on this one? Many other apps on apple store seem to have better reviews?

@IGZO

I’ve tried Otter but the free amount isn’t enough for me.

I can’t find another one that is free but NALscribe.

Are you able to point me to another one that might work better?

Live Transcribe looks good but you have to pay on iOS.

Thanks. :slight_smile:

Potentially an application for AR glasses…

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