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PJSmistek

Q: Is Apple Watch a good buy for deaf people?

Hello,

I am profoundly deaf and while I love all of my Apple products (iMac, MacBook Pro, iPhone 6 Plus, iPad Air, Apple TV, AirPort Time Capsule), and I always wanted the Watch as well to complete my set, I was wondering is it really worth it to purchase the Watch if I am deaf and I also cannot speak (at least not with my voice), does that leave the Watched rendered useless to me? Because after a thorough research on the Watch on the Apple website, I noticed that a lot of the features are activated by voice, and obviously if I can't use my voice/speak, I would probably not be able to use half of the features on the Watch, right?

Thanks.

Apple Watch, watchOS 1.0.1

Posted on Jun 29, 2015 1:32 PM

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Q: Is Apple Watch a good buy for deaf people?

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  • by sberman,

    sberman sberman Jun 29, 2015 1:37 PM in response to PJSmistek
    Level 8 (39,090 points)
    Jun 29, 2015 1:37 PM in response to PJSmistek

    I am not deaf, so I cannot say authoritatively, but ...

     

    I assume you have no issue with a regular watch, as there is no sound made or required.  Many Apple Watch functions also make and require no sound.  There are some haptic functions that vibrate your wrist so you know to look at your watch because something is worth seeing.

     

    Yes, there is Siri on the Apple Watch.  Yes, the Apple Watch has a music interface.  Yes, there is a way to include dictation in text messages.  But how much does a person with normal hearing and sight use these features?  How critical is it that these features are indeed on the Apple Watch and you will not use them?  That's a subjective decision.  But frankly, I've had my Apple Watch for a month and have not used them very much.