Sorted by situation · Facts verified October 6, 2026

Best apps for hard of hearing on iPhone (2026)

The right app depends on the moment: a conversation, a phone call, a meeting, a doorbell. Here's what helps in each one, starting with the free features already on your iPhone.

By Lilly Seay, Hearing Buddy co-founder and hard of hearing herself · Updated October 6, 2026

The short answer

Your iPhone already does a lot for free: Live Captions, Live Listen, and Sound Recognition. For phone calls in the US, the FCC-funded caption services are free once you register. If you have AirPods Pro 2 or 3, Apple's Hearing Aid feature is the place to start for amplification. For everyday in-person conversations, a dedicated captioning app like Hearing Buddy (ours) or Rylo Live Transcribe adds a full-screen, easy-to-read transcript, free.

Full disclosure: we make Hearing Buddy, and it appears on this page where it fits. It isn't the answer to every situation, so we've said where something else is the better choice. Every entry was checked against its official App Store listing, website, or Apple Support page on October 6, 2026. Prices and features change, so confirm before you sign up.

Situation 1

In-person conversations

Captions of the people talking around you, on your iPhone screen. Start with what's built in, then add an app if you need more.

Apple Live Captions

Apple (built into iOS)

Free
What it's for
Real-time captions of conversations around you (tap Microphone) or of audio playing on your iPhone, including FaceTime and other apps. Nothing to download.
On iPhone
iPhone 11 or later. Turn it on in Settings > Accessibility > Live Captions. Apple notes it isn't available in all languages, countries, or regions, and that accuracy may vary and shouldn't be relied on in high-risk or emergency situations. You can copy captions into Notes or Messages, but there's no automatic saved history.
Apple Support: Live Captions Apple Live Captions vs Hearing Buddy Verified October 2026

Hearing Buddy

Our app (Krager Labs LLC)

Free with paid tier
Our app
What it's for
Live captions built for in-person conversations. Standard captions are free and unlimited, processed on your iPhone, with no signup. Transcript history is free, and Caption Together lets iPhones in the same room share one captioned conversation for free.
On iPhone
Needs iOS 26 or later. It captions the microphone, so it can't caption phone calls, FaceTime, or other apps' audio. The optional Buddy+ subscription is $59.99/year with a 14-day free trial.
Get Hearing Buddy freeVerified October 2026

Rylo Live Transcribe

Nagish Inc. (inside the Rylo app)

Free
What it's for
Rylo is best known for phone-call captions, but its app also includes Live Transcribe for in-person conversations. Rylo says it's completely free, with no ads, time limits, or credit card, works offline, and supports more than 50 languages.
On iPhone
The Rylo app needs iOS 16.6 or later, so it runs on older iPhones that Hearing Buddy doesn't support. Rylo's Live Transcribe page lists no eligibility requirement; the FCC registration applies to its call captioning.
rylo.com/live-transcribe Rylo vs Hearing Buddy Verified October 2026
Want the full captioning roundup? See all seven live captioning apps compared
Situation 2

Phone calls

If you live in the US and hearing loss makes calls hard, captioned calls are free through an FCC-funded program. You register once and certify your hearing loss. Federal law limits captioned calls to registered users with hearing loss. Apple Live Captions can also caption calls on its own.

Rylo (formerly Nagish)

Nagish Inc.

Free FCC-funded with registration
What it's for
Captioned phone calls in an app. Its App Store listing names English, Spanish, French, Japanese, Hebrew, and Italian captions.
On iPhone
iOS 16.6 or later, with Apple Watch and Vision Pro versions. Rated 4.6 from about 3.9K ratings on the US App Store. Older help pages and reviews still say Nagish; it's the same app.
Rylo on the App Store Verified October 2026

InnoCaption

Mezmo Corporation

Free FCC-funded with registration
What it's for
Captioned phone calls where you can choose live stenographers or automatic captions. It also captions voicemail and supports 911 calls.
On iPhone
iOS 15.1 or later; needs Wi-Fi or cellular data. Rated 4.7 from about 12K ratings on the US App Store, and recently updated.
InnoCaption on the App Store Verified October 2026

CaptionCall

Sorenson

Free FCC-funded with registration
What it's for
A free captioned home phone, with delivery and installation, plus the CaptionCall Mobile app for captioned calls on your phone.
On iPhone
The mobile app needs iOS 16 or later and is also on Android. Sorenson says only people with hearing loss who need captions to use the phone may use it.
sorenson.com/captioncall Verified October 2026

ClearCaptions

ClearCaptions, LLC

Free FCC-funded with registration
What it's for
A free captioned home phone that needs home internet, with free in-home setup, plus the ClearCaptions Mobile app.
On iPhone
The mobile app is for iPhone and iPad (iOS 12 or later). Its last App Store update was December 2023, so think of this one as a home-phone service first.
clearcaptions.com Verified October 2026
Compare call-captioning services in detail
Situation 3

Groups and meetings

Group conversations are where solo captions struggle. Two different approaches work well.

Ava

Transcense, Inc.

Free with paid tier
What it's for
Group captioning where others can join your conversation, including people who aren't in the room. Ava's pricing page lists speaker identification on every plan, including free.
On iPhone
iOS 18.6 or later; also on Android, web, and desktop. The free plan has unlimited basic captions with sessions up to 40 minutes. The Community plan is $14.99/month or $119.99/year and includes 3 hours of premium captions a month.
Ava plans and pricing Ava vs Hearing Buddy Verified October 2026

Caption Together (in Hearing Buddy)

Our app

Free
Our app
What it's for
Free group captioning across iPhones in the same room. Phones connect directly to each other, with no internet and no account needed.
On iPhone
Every phone needs Hearing Buddy on iOS 26 or later. Same-room only: for remote participants or Android phones, Ava is the better fit.
Get Hearing Buddy freeVerified October 2026
Situation 4

Hearing amplification

No app turns an iPhone into a hearing aid by itself. But with the right earbuds or hearing aids, your iPhone can make voices louder and clearer. Apple's options come first because many people already own the hardware.

Hearing Aid feature on AirPods Pro 2 and 3

Apple

Free
What it's for
Apple calls this a clinical-grade Hearing Aid feature for people 18 or older with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. It's tuned from Apple's Hearing Test or an audiogram from your hearing professional, and includes Conversation Boost to focus on the person in front of you.
On iPhone
No extra cost, but it requires AirPods Pro 2 or AirPods Pro 3 with current firmware and an up-to-date iPhone. Availability varies by country or region.
Apple Support: Hearing Aid feature Verified October 2026

Live Listen

Apple (built into iOS)

Free
What it's for
Uses your iPhone as a microphone that sends sound to your earbuds or hearing aids. Put the phone in front of the person you want to hear.
On iPhone
iOS 14.3 or later. Works with AirPods, several Beats models, and Made for iPhone hearing aids. Add it to Control Center under Hearing Accessibility.
Apple Support: Live Listen Verified October 2026

Headphone Accommodations

Apple (built into iOS)

Free
What it's for
Tunes your headphone audio to your hearing, amplifying soft sounds and adjusting frequencies for calls, media, or both. On AirPods Pro it can also make quiet voices clearer in Transparency mode.
On iPhone
Settings > Accessibility > Audio & Visual > Headphone Accommodations. Works with AirPods (2nd generation and later), AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, EarPods, and some Beats.
Apple Support: Headphone Accommodations Verified October 2026

Your hearing aid brand's app

For example myPhonak (Sonova) or Oticon Companion (Oticon)

Free
What it's for
If you already wear hearing aids, the maker's app is usually the best place to adjust volume, switch programs, and check battery. Apple notes that a manufacturer's app may offer more settings than iPhone's built-in controls.
On iPhone
Made for iPhone hearing aids pair in Settings > Accessibility > Hearing Devices. Each brand's app only works with that brand's hearing aids. myPhonak needs iOS 16 or later; Oticon Companion needs iOS 15 or later.
Apple Support: Made for iPhone hearing devices Verified October 2026

Boost (in Hearing Buddy)

Our app

Free with paid tier
Our app
What it's for
Buddy boosts quiet voices through your headphones in real time, alongside your live captions in the same app.
On iPhone
Part of Buddy+ ($59.99/year, 14-day free trial), on iOS 26 or later, with headphones. It isn't a hearing aid or a medical device. If you have AirPods Pro 2 or 3, try Apple's free Hearing Aid feature first.
Get Hearing Buddy freeVerified October 2026
Situation 5

Alerts and sound recognition

Your iPhone can listen for important sounds and for your name, then notify you. Both features are free and built in.

Sound Recognition

Apple (built into iOS)

Free
What it's for
Notifies you when iPhone hears sounds like a doorbell, siren, or crying baby. You can also teach it your own alarm, appliance, or doorbell.
On iPhone
Settings > Accessibility > Sound & Name Recognition > Sound Recognition. Apple says not to rely on it where you may be harmed or injured, in high-risk or emergency situations, or for navigation.
Apple Support: Sound Recognition Verified October 2026

Name Recognition

Apple (built into iOS)

Free
What it's for
Listens for your name and notifies you when it's detected. You can record how you or someone else says your name, and add more than one name.
On iPhone
iOS 26 or later, in select languages. Settings > Accessibility > Sound & Name Recognition > Name Recognition. Hearing Buddy's Buddy+ does something related: your Apple Watch taps when someone says your name or asks a question during a captioned conversation. If you only want name alerts, Apple's version is free.
Apple Support: Name Recognition Verified October 2026
Situation 6

Hearing tests

A phone hearing test can tell you whether it's time to see a professional. It isn't a replacement for a full exam.

This section is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider, such as an audiologist or ENT, about your hearing health, especially if your hearing changes suddenly.

Hearing Test with AirPods Pro 2 or 3

Apple

Free
What it's for
A test of about five minutes that checks your hearing from 250 Hz to 8 kHz and saves an audiogram in the Health app. Its results can also set up the AirPods Pro Hearing Aid feature.
On iPhone
Requires AirPods Pro 2 or AirPods Pro 3 with current firmware. Intended for people 18 and older. Take it in a quiet room. Availability varies by country or region.
Apple Support: Hearing Test No AirPods Pro? Try our free online hearing test Verified October 2026
Situation 7

Tinnitus relief

Sound can make ringing less noticeable for some people. These tools help with comfort and focus; they don't cure tinnitus.

This section is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider, such as an audiologist or ENT, about your hearing health, especially if your hearing changes suddenly.

Background Sounds

Apple (built into iOS)

Free
What it's for
Plays ocean, rain, and other steady sounds in the background. Apple's own guide has a section on tinnitus and says some users find it can help.
On iPhone
iOS 15 or later. Settings > Accessibility > Audio & Visual > Background Sounds. An equalizer to shape the sound arrived in iOS 26.
Apple Support: Background Sounds Verified October 2026

ReSound Tinnitus Relief

ReSound (GN Resound A/S)

Free with paid tier
What it's for
Sound therapy soundscapes you can mix yourself, plus guided meditations, breathing exercises, and a quick hearing check.
On iPhone
iOS 15 or later. Sounds, exercises, and meditations are free; the optional My Plan program is $6.99/month or $69.99/year. Rated 4.7 from about 19K US ratings. Last updated May 2025.
ReSound Tinnitus Relief on the App Store Read our tinnitus treatment guide Verified October 2026

Where Hearing Buddy is not the best choice

  • Phone calls and FaceTime. Hearing Buddy can't caption them. Use Apple Live Captions or a free FCC-funded service like Rylo, InnoCaption, CaptionCall, or ClearCaptions.
  • Videos and other apps' audio. Apple Live Captions can caption audio playing on your iPhone. Hearing Buddy only hears the room.
  • Older iPhones. Hearing Buddy needs iOS 26. Apple Live Captions works on iPhone 11 and later, and the Rylo app runs on iOS 16.6 and later.
  • Groups with remote people or Android phones. Caption Together is same-room and iPhone-only. Ava handles both.
  • Amplification if you own AirPods Pro 2 or 3. Apple's Hearing Aid feature costs nothing extra. Boost is part of a paid subscription.
  • Name alerts alone. Apple's Name Recognition is free on iOS 26.
  • Diagnosis or a hearing aid fitting. No app replaces an audiologist.

How we picked

We started from the situations hard of hearing people tell us are hardest, and listed the iPhone tools that actually work for each one. Apple's built-in features come first where they do the job, because they're free and already on your phone.

For every entry we opened the official App Store listing, the company's website, or Apple Support on October 6, 2026 and checked that it exists, what it costs, and what it needs. We don't use affiliate links. One app is ours, and it's labeled.

Questions & answers

Not on its own. An iPhone needs earbuds or hearing aids to make sound louder for you. The closest options are Apple's free Live Listen, which turns your iPhone into a microphone that streams to AirPods, some Beats, or Made for iPhone hearing aids, and the Hearing Aid feature on AirPods Pro 2 and 3, which Apple describes as clinical-grade for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. Hearing Buddy's Boost (part of Buddy+) boosts quiet voices through headphones, but it isn't a hearing aid. An audiologist can tell you what fits your hearing.

The quickest way is Live Listen. Add Live Listen to Control Center (under Hearing Accessibility), connect your AirPods or Made for iPhone hearing aids, open Control Center, tap Live Listen, and put your iPhone in front of the person you want to hear. It needs iOS 14.3 or later. If you have AirPods Pro 2 or 3, Apple's Hearing Aid feature is the more complete option.

Yes, several. In Settings > Accessibility you'll find Live Captions, Sound & Name Recognition, Hearing Devices (for Made for iPhone hearing aids), and under Audio & Visual, Headphone Accommodations and Background Sounds. All of them are free.

For phone calls, there is a federal program. In the US, Rylo, InnoCaption, CaptionCall, and ClearCaptions caption calls at no cost for eligible people with hearing loss who register, paid for by a federally administered fund. Beyond calls, Apple's Live Captions, Live Listen, Sound Recognition, and Name Recognition are free on iPhone, and Hearing Buddy's standard captions and Rylo's Live Transcribe are free apps.

Start with what's built in: Apple Live Captions for captions, Live Listen for amplification, and Sound Recognition for alerts. For in-person captions in a dedicated app, Hearing Buddy (our app) and Rylo Live Transcribe are both free with no time limits. For phone calls, the FCC-funded services are free for eligible US users who register.

No. Hearing Buddy captions what your iPhone's microphone hears, so it can't caption phone calls, FaceTime, or other apps' audio. For calls, use Apple Live Captions or one of the free FCC-funded services like Rylo or InnoCaption.

Go deeper

Best Live Captioning Apps for iPhone

Seven captioning apps compared on price and limits

Phone-Call Captioning Apps Compared

Rylo, InnoCaption, CaptionCall, ClearCaptions, and more

Live Transcribe for iPhone

Google's app is Android-only. What to use instead

Apple Live Captions vs Hearing Buddy

When the built-in feature is enough

Rylo vs Hearing Buddy

Call captioning vs the rest of your day

Free Online Hearing Test

A quick check in your browser

Coral, your warm and supportive buddy

For the conversations in the room.

Buddy captions the people around you, free and unlimited, with no account to create.

Get Hearing Buddy freeCompare captioning apps

Free on iPhone · Requires iOS 26 or later

This page is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Hearing Buddy is our app; all other products are described as fairly as we know how, and we have no affiliate relationships with any of them. Apple, iPhone, AirPods, AirPods Pro, Apple Watch, and FaceTime are trademarks of Apple Inc. Rylo and Nagish are trademarks of Nagish Inc. InnoCaption is a product of Mezmo Corporation. CaptionCall is a Sorenson service. ClearCaptions is a trademark of ClearCaptions, LLC. Ava is a trademark of Transcense, Inc. myPhonak is a Sonova AG app; Oticon Companion is an Oticon A/S app; ReSound Tinnitus Relief is a ReSound app. All trademarks belong to their owners; Hearing Buddy is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by any of these companies. Details were verified on October 6, 2026. If anything here is out of date, let us know and we'll fix it.