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Hearing Loss Apps and Phone Features With No Cost

Last checked November 10, 2026. Next full check February 2027.

Email to a family member

Some apps and phone features cost nothing. Some are built into your phone. Some are funded for people who qualify.

No cost to use does not always mean no limits. Read each page for the rules and the phone you need.

The apps

We list the apps in no order. 13 apps.

  • CaptionCall

    CaptionCall, LLC (Sorenson)

    Shows live captions of both sides of a phone call.

    Good for: People with hearing loss who want captions on calls from their own phone.

    No cost if you qualifyiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Android

  • InnoCaption

    Mezmo Corporation

    Captions phone calls with software, live stenographers, or both.

    Good for: People who want a choice between software captions and a live captioner.

    No cost if you qualifyiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Android

  • Rylo (formerly Nagish)

    Nagish Inc. d/b/a Rylo

    Captions phone calls, and also captions talk in the room with a separate feature.

    Good for: People who want call captions and room captions in one app.

    No cost if you qualifyiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Android

  • Google Live Transcribe

    Google LLC

    Turns speech around you into text on an Android phone.

    Good for: Android users who want captions in the room.

    No costAndroid

  • NALscribe

    National Acoustic Laboratories

    A live captioning app from a hearing research laboratory.

    Good for: People who want a simple captioning app with privacy controls.

    No costiPhone, iPad

  • Live Captions (iPhone)

    Apple

    Captions audio on your iPhone and talk around you.

    Good for: iPhone users who want captions with nothing to install.

    Built iniPhone, iPad

  • Live Caption (Android)

    Google

    Captions audio that plays on your Android phone.

    Good for: Android users who want captions on videos and calls.

    Built inAndroid

  • Sound Amplifier (Google)

    Google LLC

    Uses your Android phone and headphones to make speech easier to hear.

    Good for: Android users who want to try a phone tool in noisy rooms.

    No costAndroid

  • hearWHO

    World Health Organization and hearX Group

    A digits-in-noise hearing check from the World Health Organization.

    Good for: Adults who want a quick check of how they hear in noise.

    No costiPhone, Android

  • Hearing Test (AirPods Pro)

    Apple

    A hearing test you take with AirPods Pro, with results stored in the Health app.

    Good for: AirPods Pro owners who want a first check and a result for their audiologist.

    Built iniPhone, iPad

  • Sound Recognition (iPhone)

    Apple

    Your iPhone listens for sounds you pick and sends you an alert.

    Good for: People who miss doorbells or appliance beeps at home.

    Built iniPhone, iPad

  • Sound Notifications (Android)

    Google

    Your Android phone listens for sounds and alerts you.

    Good for: Android users who want alerts for sounds at home.

    Built inAndroid

  • SignSchool

    SignSchool

    Video lessons and a dictionary for American Sign Language.

    Good for: Family and friends who want to learn ASL.

    No costWeb, iPhone, Android

Limits to keep in mind

  • Some apps show a no-cost tier and sell paid plans too. Those are in the main directory.
  • Rules and prices change. Check the store listing before you install.

This guide is general information. It does not diagnose hearing loss and it does not replace a hearing evaluation. An app cannot tell you why you hear less. An audiologist can.

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Questions to bring to your visit

Write these on your phone or print this page. Bring them to your hearing evaluation.

  • Which of these should I try first?
  • Which needs do these not cover?

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Cost can be a worry. Call 650-342-9449 and we will explain what is available.

California Hearing Center has offices in San Mateo and San Carlos. One phone number reaches both: 650-342-9449.

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