Sound Amplifier

Google LLC

About this app

Sound Amplifier makes everyday conversations and surrounding sounds more accessible among people who are hard of hearing, using just your Android phone and a pair of headphones. Use Sound Amplifier to filter, augment and amplify sounds around you and on your device.

Available for devices with Android 8.1 and later. To start using Sound Amplifier, connect your headphones, then go to Settings > Accessibility > Sound Amplifier or Settings > Accessibility > Downloaded apps.

Features
• Reduce unwanted noise to recognise speech better.
• Focus on a speaker’s voice in noisy environments with conversation mode. (Available for Pixel 3 and above.)
• Listen to conversations, TV or lectures. For audio sources that are farther away, Bluetooth headphones are recommended. (Bluetooth headphones might have delayed sound transmission.)
• Personalise your listening experience for surrounding conversation or media playing on your device. You can reduce noise or boost low frequency, high frequency or quiet sounds. Set your preferences for both ears or separately for each ear.
• Turn Sound Amplifier on and off using the Accessibility button, a gesture or Quick Settings. Learn more about the Accessibility button, gesture and Quick Settings: https://support.google.com/accessibility/android/answer/7650693
• Open Sound Amplifier more easily by adding it to your app list. In Sound Amplifier settings, turn on 'Show icon in the app list'.

Requirements
• Available for Android 8.1 and later.
• Pair your Android device with headphones.
• Conversation mode is currently available on Pixel 3 and above.

Send us your feedback on Sound Amplifier by emailing: [e-mail]. For help using Sound Amplifier, connect with us at https://g.co/disabilitysupport.

Permissions notice
• Microphone: Access to the microphone will allow Sound Amplifier to process the audio for amplification and filtering. No data is collected or stored.
• Accessibility service: Since this app is an accessibility service, it can observe your actions, retrieve window content and observe text that you type.

Ratings and reviews

It would be extremely nice, if the app wouldn't just stop working because another app suddenly started playing audio. I suppose Android's audio focus is more of a curse than it is a blessing. Also, I don't know why, but the app switches the device mic into some kind of phone call mode as it sounds like I'm in a phone call whenever I turn off the amp and turn it back on. The only way to resolve this I found was to restart the device entirely.

Love the idea, but all of the optional settings are greyed out and Google offers no answers. It would also be nice to be able to use it over a bluetooth speaker in another room, as sort of a baby monitor, instead of only being able to use it with wired headphones. Furthermore, I would love it if it could operate while media is playing, so that I can be more aware of my surroundings on walks while listening to Google podcasts.

Samsung Note 9: This is the best audio aid app that I have found thus far. I am definitely keeping it. BUT it should have loaded like a normal app and appeared on my app pages. It did not, instead requiring me to hunt around the web for instructions. Also, the accessibility icon (when you finally get the app to work) gets in the way of other items on my home screen. Also, the user interface is not as described in Google Play. All in all - a very nice app that just needs a bit more polish. Thanks Google Labs

What's new

• Use conversation mode to hear one-on-one conversations better in noisy environments (Pixel 3 and above)
• Improved performance and noise reduction
• Get easier access to audio controls, a new visualizer, and a personalized design that matches your wallpaper