Talking clocks and watches

There are a number of aids and devices for people who are visually challenged, or who find concentrating on reading or small items difficult.

Most of us take telling the time for granted, however if you cannot focus on the dial of a watch or clock this routine observation may make it impossible for you to know the time – at least not without asking another person.

Audio clocks and watches

Talking clocks and watches have been around for a while and they can be a great aid to anyone who is visually impaired, short sighted or who has reading or focussing difficulties.

These audio devices tell the time just like any conventional timepiece, however they have an additional button controlled feature that allows them to "announce" the time, usually in hours and minutes.

Further features that are typically included in these timepieces are - programmable audible multi-set alarm features, hourly announcement prompts and calendar functions.

Many of these talking clocks will also have an audible menu that offers voiced instructions describing how to set the time and functions of the device.

The voice that announces the time will usually be a synthetic one and in most cases this voice sounds female. Some watches and clocks allow voice selection from a number of different voices and most will offer a volume adjustment feature.

Audible watches generally look like regular watches, although som ehave a visible speaker, and it is only the announcement feature that distinguishes them from other watches.

Talking watches can also have a vibrating feature which acts as a further alert.