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My partner's mom, age 94, got new hearing aids and the app that can control them (adjust focus on front/side/back, high/low/midrange, etc), runs only on iOS. We
by nilram 7y ago
My partner's mom, age 94, got new hearing aids and the app that can control them (adjust focus on front/side/back, high/low/midrange, etc), runs only on iOS. We got her an iPad mini and I set it up so she can (A) read the Washington Post, (B) read a poetry app, (C) control her hearing aids, and (D) not much else (so as not to be confusing).
Much to my surprise, the hearing aid app does not adjust it's font size per the iOS system settings, and it does not have any font adjustment of it's own. It also has a background picture that interferes with focusing on controls. I'm boggled that a company producing a product for those with hearing-impairment doesn't recognize that many of it's users may be in age-related decline, and that can include vision and cognitive impairment.
- aasasd 7y agoMaybe Apple could hint to the app vendor that they should support the system feature? I'd probably contact the app authors themselves first, though. It might happen that the issue is resolved quickly with no confrontation.
- nilram 7y agoI’ll be making my suggestions to the hearing aid company who sells the devices and the app. If there is any response at all, I expect it will be congenial. However, I doubt it will be resolved quickly since even non-invasive medical devices like hearing aids have rigorous and time-consuming reviews.
- wereHamster 7y agoMost likely the app was written by a third-party contractor who didn't know much about who the users are, they only received the requirements (app must do X and Y) and delivered.
- nilram 7y agoAbsolutely. That’s why I’ll be contacting the hearing aid company, who is ultimately responsible for those requirements.