Breaking Communication Barriers: How SpeakSee Transforms Meetings, Training, and Everyday Life

Imagine sitting in a meeting and struggling to follow the conversation. The room hums with background noise, people talk over each other, and key points slip by unheard. 

For anyone who is hard of hearing, working in a second language, or neurodiverse, that experience is all too familiar. It chips away at confidence, connection, and contribution.

And this isn't a small group.

A recent national study (Akeroyd et al. 2024) suggests that 1 in 3, or approximately 18 million, working-age adults in the UK live with hearing loss. Yet, despite talent and capability, the employment rate for people with hearing loss stands at 65%, compared to 79% for those without a disability (BAA).

The cost of exclusion is real; a 2022 study estimates that hearing loss costs the UK economy £25 billion a year in lost productivity and unemployment.

Now imagine a different scene, every voice understood, every word captured, every participant included. That's what Speaksee's Microphone Kit makes possible. This AI-powered, real-time captioning system enables organisations to make communication equitable for everyone.

Recently, our partner TrainAV put Speaksee to the test, and the results were transformative.

Communication Gaps Are Everywhere

From boardrooms to cafeterias, missed words lead to missed opportunities:

• Hard-of-hearing employees struggle to participate fully.
• Global teams stumble over language barriers.
• Neurodiverse individuals, including those with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, or dyspraxia, benefit from clear, consistent visual text
• Noisy environments and PA systems make vital announcements easy to miss.

Traditional solutions like hearing loops or standard speech-to-text software can be limited, slow or expensive. Organisations need something fast, accurate and effortless to use.

Speaksee in Action

When Mike at TrainAV tried out Speaksee's Microphone Kits in a live environment, he wasn't just trialling another gadget; he was testing a lifeline and experiencing what inclusive communication truly feels like. Having searched for reliable speech-to-text software for years, and living with partial hearing loss, Mike offers rare first-hand insight into just how life-changing this solution can be.

The unboxing alone impressed him and the team: colour-coded microphones, a plug-and-play setup, and no complex installation.

Within minutes, the system was up and running. Refreshingly simple; plug in, add names or industry terms to your custom dictionary, and share a QR code so visitors can follow along. Subtitles appear in seconds.

And then came the real tests.

• During the unboxing session, every word appeared on screen in real time, so no one fell behind.
• While ordering at a drive-through, Mike used Speaksee to follow the conversation effortlessly. A small moment, perhaps, but a powerful reminder that inclusion doesn’t have to stop at the office.
• Even in challenging environments like Whitehall train station, Speaksee cut through background noise, accurately capturing speech that would normally be lost.

Speaksee outperformed popular video conferencing captions and left other speech-to-text tools in the dust. After completing the out-of-the-box demonstration showing end users how simple the setup is, Mike has since ordered two kits through the government funding scheme.

Why It Works: Fast, Accurate, Inclusive

Speaksee’s appeal goes beyond helping those with hearing difficulties. It’s designed for anyone who values clear communication:

• Multilingual teams - real-time translation in over 100 languages
• Neurodiverse learners and employees - clear, consistent visual text
• Events and lectures - never miss a word in noisy environments
• Hybrid and remote work - captions instantly accessible on screens or smartphones

Making Adoption Easy

Carillion Communications is a UK distributor and integration partner for the Speaksee Microphone Kit. With 30+ years' experience in audiovisual solutions, our team of experts make adoption smooth, supported and sustainable.

TrainAV complements this with:

• On-site and online end-user training
• Room handover for staff confidence
• Hands-on use in training rooms to familiarise teams

Communication Without Barriers

For Mike, Speaksee was more than a technical success; it was proof that communication doesn’t have to leave anyone behind.

Meetings, training sessions, lectures, and even everyday conversations can become inclusive, accessible, and efficient. Ideas flow freely, participation is equitable, and no one misses a word.

It’s not just a tool, it’s a way to make workplaces, events, and public spaces more connected.

Experience it for yourself.
See Speaksee in Action