AfterShokz and Microsoft Soundscape

Blog 10 – 2.6 Challenge – 26 blog posts over 26 days…

Owning a Guide Dog is great. They give you freedom. They allow you to travel through the streets at speed avoiding obstacles on the way. They work in straight lines and so will stop at each curb waiting for the next instruction. They can find crossing boxes, doors and steps. However, what you have to remember is that they are not robots. They are dogs with their own minds and personalities. They can get distracted. They can take you on magical mystical tours. They are not satellite navigation systems.

This is why when I work a Guide Dog I always use a GPS device as well. In the past I used to use the Trekker Breeze. When my last one broke last summer my immediate response was to purchase another only to discover that they are no longer made. There is an alternative product with a much higher price tag and features that don’t interest me. So I hunted elsewhere and came across the Microsoft Soundscape app which is free.

I downloaded it to my phone and knew that holding my phone in one hand whilst I walked was not ideal nor was having headphones in blocking my hearing. More research was done and I purchased AfterShokz Trekz Titanium mini wireless bone conducting headphones. The combination of the app and headphones has been a game changer.

First the headphones. They sit comfortably around your ears and rest on your cheek bones. Imagine wearing glasses backwards to understand how they fit. They were easy to set up as they speak to let you know when they are in pairing mode. They also speak to relay the battery level and let you know when they are connected to your device. There is a handy button on the side that allows you to answer phone calls saving the hassle of rummaging through your pockets for your phone. Since the way they sit on your head your ears are free to hear traffic and other sounds around you which is the best bit about them. The battery life is good, so good that I can never remember the last time I charged them. At around £70 they are a little expensive, but worth every penny.

Microsoft Soundscape is simple to use. You just open the app before you leave, lock your phone and you are on your way. It has 3D audio cues. In non-technical terms this means it announces landmarks and the like from the direction they are located. For example, if a shop is on your right it will announce the name of the shop through the right headphone. This enables the user to create a mental map. Some people might find the level of information provided over the top. I personally love it. It lets me know when I am approaching intersections, controlled crossings, bus stops, walking paths, schools, parks, local businesses and even the steps to the footbridge at my local train station. The information enhances my independence as I am able to cue my Guide Dog in to find the curb or the box or the door. It lets me lapse in concentration, relax and enjoy my surroundings.

The app also works well on public transport. I have used it on the bus to make sure I get off at the correct stop. If you do get lost you can open the app and select to hear my location, nearby markers, what’s around me and what’s ahead of me. You can add in audio markers for specific landmarks, but I have never needed to do this. It is possible to use it in conjunction with Google maps or other navigation apps if you require step by step instructions. The one downside to the app is ensuring you have enough battery on your phone before you set off. When using it for prolonged periods it can drain it quite fast. All in all I thoroughly recommend it.

I am taking part in the 2.6 Challenge to help save our UK charities. If you enjoyed my blog post or are feeling generous please consider donating as little as £1 to support my chosen charities: The Norrie Disease Foundation, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Look UK, RNIB and Girl Guiding UK. You can find my fundraising page by clicking here

Thank you and stay safe x