In a heartwarming moment, Kendyl Pool, a bright and spirited young girl, experienced the joy of trying on a pair of innovative HearView caption glasses, which have the remarkable ability to allow her to “see” conversations unfold in real time.
Born profoundly deaf due to malformations in her inner ears, Kendyl has communicated using American Sign Language (ASL) since she was just six months old. Her mother, Bri, discovered these transformative caption glasses on TikTok and immediately recognized their potential to enhance Kendyl's life. The glasses, which transcribe speech into text displayed directly on the lenses, were presented to Kendyl as a delightful surprise for her birthday.
Kendyl's reaction was nothing short of magical. "She had no idea these existed, so when she put them on and I started speaking, she was completely taken aback," Bri shared. "Seeing her joy was incredible; she was so moved that she shed a few happy tears, overwhelmed by the realization that she could read my words right in front of her."
These remarkable glasses connect to an app via Bluetooth, utilizing advanced voice recognition technology to transcribe spoken words onto a small screen embedded in the lenses. This innovation not only makes it easier for Kendyl to engage in conversations but also supports her in practicing her speech by confirming her pronunciation. “When she says ‘Mom, Mom, Mom’ and it shows up on the screen, her excitement is contagious,” Bri explained.
At just 10 years old, Kendyl stands as the only deaf member of her family, and the glasses have significantly boosted her confidence, enabling her to participate in more social activities and communicate effortlessly with those unfamiliar with ASL. Furthermore, the glasses can store conversations, allowing Kendyl to revisit important discussions from her teachers or doctors whenever she needs.
Bri noted the importance of accurate captioning, “For far too long, captions on TVs or devices have struggled with accuracy and timing, making it difficult for deaf individuals to fully engage with what's being said. I tested these glasses myself, speaking quickly and using various phrases, and their accuracy is truly impressive.”
This technological advancement represents a significant step toward inclusivity, providing Kendyl with full access to conversations in real-time, thus truly transforming her experience.
Let’s celebrate the incredible impact of Kendyl’s life-changing gift and share this uplifting story with friends and family!