Written by Megan Smith, PT
People with low vision are not blind, but they might not be able to read or drive or see objects in detail. Although it can affect anyone, low vision is more common in people over the age of 65. As Baby Boomers age, by 2030 the number of people in the U.S. with low vision will have jumped by 72 percent in two decades.
Since it can’t be corrected with corrective lenses, medicine, or surgery, low vision requires people who have it to adapt to how they accomplish daily activities. Advancements in technology have contributed to several low vision aids that utilize your voice and hearing when you can’t rely on your sight.
Much of the world is designed around visual cues, so low vision can limit access to information, which limits independence. Low vision aids that use audio technology and verbal feedback to navigate everyday activities provide information that increases independence.
Technology that specifically helps people with low vision is also popular with a broad audience since people simply like having gadgets that will talk to them.
The best choices for devices that help people with low vision accomplish daily tasks are user-friendly, easy to fit into a daily routine, and foster independence. Our top 7 picks offer all these advantages.
The Top 6:
Making the list at #7 is this multi-featured Talking Microwave Kitchen Aid by LS&S Products. The kitchen is a hub of activity in most homes. People gather to share fellowship as well as food, and low vision doesn’t have to stop you from enjoying time in the kitchen. Whether you see cooking as a necessary chore or a fun hobby, it’s an important life skill that this microwave makes easier.
This 1000-watt talking microwave provides verbal instructions on how to set the cooking time and power level. It will also tell you the current time at the touch of a button and let you know how much cooking time remains. It will even remind you to turn food over or give it a stir while it’s cooking, all in a clear voice that’s easy to understand.
With a labeled touchpad, 100 minutes of cooking time, adjustable intervals for reminders, and a 24-hour set ahead timer, this talking microwave fosters independence in the kitchen for people with low vision.
Our #6 pick is the Talking Bariatric Scale by LS&S Products. A big part of a healthy lifestyle is maintaining a healthy weight. This talking scale helps you monitor your weight even if low vision keeps you from seeing the numbers on the screen. It measures weight in either pounds or kilograms and offers results in a clear audio readout so you can easily track how you’re doing.
This talking bariatric scale is extra wide and can accommodate users weighing up to 550 pounds. It can keep up to 30 weigh-ins each for one or two people in its memory and is easy to use, move, and store. It operates with a 9-volt battery and shuts off automatically between uses.
Time is essential for everyone, and you don't want to lose track of it just because you have low vision. The Unisex Chrome Talking Watch by MaxiAids is a stylish solution! Some watches have complicated features that make it hard to use. This talking watch keeps it simple and accessible no matter what.
The Unisex Chrome Talking Watch features an easy-to-identify button to hear the time. The voice will speak the time clearly and loudly enough to be heard even when outdoors. Feel confident while wearing this gender-neutral watch thanks to its elegant look that will match your outfit on most occasions.
The expansion band of this watch allows all shapes and sizes of the wrist to wear it. The Unisex Chrome Talking Watch is resistant to water splashes, and it is convenient for everyday activities.
#4 on the list is the Talking Label Wand by LS&S Products. Knowing where things are located is critical to being able to independently accomplish daily tasks. From choosing what to wear to locating ingredients for dinner, this wand can help you navigate through the day with confidence.
Using voice technology, the wand records talking labels to assist with locating and identifying objects. First, the message is recorded on the wand noting what an object is. Then a self-adhesive tactile label is placed on that object, and when the wand touches the object it will replay the identifying message. You can also use this device to record notes and memos to yourself or messages for others.
The talking label wand, which has 2 GB of built-in storage, comes with 232 labels of varying sizes, and the color-coded labels can be recorded over with new information. The wand has five volume settings and a headphone jack. It can be hung from a string, chain, or lanyard to keep it handy.
This wand ships with headphones and requires two AAA batteries (not included). Additional tactile sticky labels can be ordered.
This bilingual Talking Oral Medical Thermometer for Low Vision by LS&S Products is #3 on the list because it empowers you to be responsible for your own day-to-day well-being, which is a huge part of independent living. The ability to take your own temperature gives you access to accurate information and determine for yourself if there is a medical situation that needs to be addressed.
Placed under the tongue like a standard thermometer, it delivers a spoken temperature reading in either English or Spanish. It also displays the temperature reading in large text on the screen and the voice feature can be turned off if you are able to read the screen. This versatile talking thermometer is lightweight and accurate and has a reading ready in 8 seconds. It is easy to operate and is as accurate as a standard thermometer.
Talk-to-text is a great feature that has helped many low-vision users communicate on a computer. However, that process is not as smooth as "regular" keyboard typing, especially when it comes to deleting and changing words. The PC Nero Slimline - Large Print Keyboard by Logickeyboard by Logickeyboard is our #2 pick on this list because it's proven to grant incredible accessibilty to low vision users.
This keyboard by Logickeyboard is compatible with all Windows computers starting on Windows XP. The Nero Slimline is available in muliptle color options, including white/black, yellow/black, backlit white, and backlit yellow.
For the models that have backlit keys, the PC Nero Slimline grants you control of the brightness. They have five levels of brightness, so you can select which level is the best for your particular needs.
Say goodbye to painful eye-straining for lack of light by simply turning on the attachable LED Logiclight (included with your keyboard). The LogicLight is a LED lamp that has 10 lights and a flexible arm. It's plug-and-play design encompasses simply plugging the light into the keyboard's integrated USB port. What are you waiting for? Let this keyboard make your life easier.
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Communication is the way we stay close to others. Advanced technology has granted us new features especially useful for low-vision users. The BlindShell Classic is a phone engineered with the main goal of assisting visually impaired users. This handy phone only features helpful functions like accurate text dictation, quick voice commands, an emergency button, and many more. The BlindShell Classic stands out by providing its owners with confidence and smooth communication daily.
The BlindShell Classic by BlindShell is a user-centered device made to be the ideal aid for low-vision users. This phone's larger-than-average keypad makes it easy to identify each button. Furthermore, it enables the user to fully perform all tasks through voice commands for the best convenience. The long-lasting battery will help you stay connected at all times and lets you use a wide variety of apps and functions including object tagging, a useful system that tags and identifies objects surrounding you.
Enjoy all the benefits of a regular smartphone inside an interface specifically made to be a low-vision aid. The BlindShell Classic is the perfect companion to assist you. This phone's ideal size and low weight make it easy to carry everywhere. The long-lasting battery, WIFI, Bluetooth, GPS, and a wide variety of apps will keep you connected with your loved ones through simple and smooth communication.
Low vision aids are devices to help people with low vision perform everyday tasks. They can range from products that use high magnification to assist with reading to talking lifestyle tools that use hearing and voice to help accomplish daily activities.
Low vision aids allow people to complete daily life activities, which fosters independence and creates a higher quality of life for those who have low vision.
Typically Medicare will pay for a low vision exam but will not reimburse for low vision devices that are aimed at helping maximize existing vision. However, occupational therapy to learn how to accomplish daily life activities is covered, and low vision auditory aids that contribute to accomplishing those activities could be covered as durable medical equipment if prescribed by a doctor and the following criteria is met:
Independence is consistently tied to quality of life, and deteriorating eyesight can call into question how much someone with low vision can do independently. These products have been chosen as our top picks because although they assist in accomplishing different everyday activities, they are all easy to use, fit in well with daily routines, and foster independence.
Rehabmart was founded by occupational and physical therapists who together have more than 90 years of experience in patient care, and choose only the best products for their catalog.
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Megan has been a part of Rehabmart since its inception nearly 20 years ago. For the past several years she has been enjoying her role as HR Director while maintaining her Physical Therapy license. When she isn't working on her next in-service or working to find a new team member, she enjoys her five children, helping those who have PT type ailments, baking, practicing yoga, and working out.
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