Ava: Transcribe Voice to Text

I have severe auditory processing APD and need captions to understand all conversations and just found AVA

I’m trying to find a transcription app for my extremely deaf father. I am aware of the huge leap forward the Open AI algorithm “whisper” has created for transcription. Now is the time it seems when you can finally do this stuff. I had a recording of a eulogy given at the funeral of my father’s cousin he’d never been able to hear, due to the reverberance in the recording. It is in Uk English. Whisper ai astonishingly transcribes with 100% accuracy. I have been using this as my test for transcription software. Unfortunately the whisper app has a bug so it often fails when it doesn’t connect to the internet hence looking for something else. Ava is mentioned on the web and being good for deaf people. It’s not. On my test piece after a minute of eulogy it had identified literally not one word. Total and utter garbage given what is possible with a free open source algorithm that is out there that gives 100% accuracy for this challenging data. Fact is - if deaf or with poor hearing you need a tool that will work in difficult situations (Ie background noise / reverberance - you’re sitting listening in an echoy hall away from the person giving the talk etc ) this doesn’t even get close. Get an app that’s good for deaf people, that can transcribe speech when you need it to - not this garbage. App deleted.

Not great outdoors to be honest. Tried to use it for our relative who’s hard of hearing. Only picked up a few words. Deleting the app!

Just downloaded Nd it’s taken me two hours, TWO HOURS- and I still cannot comprehend how to use this app. I am not a novice with Apps, nor with other translation apps. I have recent total hearing loss in both ears so need to be able to comunicate, in the same room, with my husband with me being able to see and understand what he says to me and know that he hears me -just now I ‘shout’ because I cannot hear my own voice! Reading about this app I had good expectations but if I cannot even get the simple voice to voice (&text) conversations work- i certainly won’t contemplate paying a subscription. I shall now investigate alternative applications that are easier to get going with.

I have been profoundly deaf since I was 26 I’m now 78 and in the last 15 years or so I know I have become a recluse because it’s easier than saying ‘pardon’ constantly and then I saw on Facebook about Ava and I went in search of the app and I’ve downloaded it and it’s just too good to be true I’ve got a vet’s appointment this afternoon with my sick little dog and struggle to hear or understand my Vet it is a nightmare I’m waiting to see how I go with Ava but as far as I can see I’ve tested it out and it’s absolutely brilliant it’s saved my life I hope it’s not expensive because it would not be an option🙏 Vonnie

I am so impressed. It will help my profoundly deaf mother. Best app Ive used. Thank you

This an amazing tool and it works great.

I have to say this app is very impressive. The free tier managed admirably with most matters but it really kicks up a gear on the mid tier - but wow that tier is so hugely overpriced it’s ridiculous! While it’s AI learning, don’t be mistaken; it is still your phone that is doing most of the heavy lifting (they use Siri voice assistance support and your phone processor locally) there is absolutely zero justifiable case why it’s so expensive. Only the scribe tier can rightly justify that price. £5 a month for unlimited mid tier - massive customer growth and you would mop up the sector, but for now you have utterly priced yourself out of the market - such a shame.

Positives - 1. Great with Zoom talks. 2. The clearer the person’s voice, the better at transcribing. 3. Can help to not pick up singing lyrics or voices. 4. Non paying option possible. 5. Sustained sessions advantageous. Negatives - 1. Quite inaccurate with surnames. 2. Sometimes transcription results are crazily silly. 3. One day the pick up of a name can be accurate, the next time very different. 4. No good for picking up lyrics, if this of importance. 5. Can mistake hearing a word when only a sound. 6. Unreliable at best, particularly with quiet voices or mumbling. 7. The longer the session, the greater the errors. 8. When beginning transcript, takes sometime to begin picking up.

I have just downloaded the app and it’s amazing! I wish I knew this years ago! I use in it a group setting with my friends and they all click the link and it’s amazing! A few words are missed, but compared to lipreading in a group, this is fantastic! I have since used it watching videos on YouTube and Facebook! I am now going to try using it on FaceTime calls and also video calls for work meetings! I love that the app is in the background and the transcript is live and you can save if you want. Definitely an app that will help the Deaf community with communication without the exhaustion of lipreading all day! I see you can also add a different microphone, so I will be purchasing one for the work setting. I really can’t wait to try this out in a meeting setting and finally feel part of the group without just sitting there doodling on my notebook and having to wait almost a week for the minutes! I will be sharing this app with my Deaf friends! Definitely a lifesaver, I’m genuinely relying on it so much everyday to stop lipreading exhaustion. I also the get pro upgrade for free through my work, which is an excellent idea! Saves a lot of money compared to going through ‘Access to work’. 5* absolutely!