Allina Health adds mobile app to help deaf and hard of hearing patients better communicate

MINNEAPOLIS (April 7, 2023) —Allina Health is proud to be one of the first health systems to offer the InnoCaption app, a new option for our deaf and hard of hearing (HOH) patients who may not be able to use American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate with hearing persons.

Allina Health will provide patients with an iPad with the app installed that allows them to communicate with others not in the hospital. Users can easily make and receive captioned calls through the InnoCaption mobile app. The app allows callers to start with speech recognition but can switch mid-call to a live stenographer option if there are accuracy issues with the text they receive.

“We know there are times our deaf and hard-of-hearing patients may not have family or friends with them in the hospital that they need to communicate with. This tool allows them to have a conversation with someone in another location,” said Irina Williams, Director of Operations Support for Allina Health Interpreter Services.

InnoCaption is the only FCC-certified caption phone service to offer real-time captioning of incoming and outgoing calls on tablets or smartphones through stenographers. InnoCaption also provides the option for captioning through automated speech recognition (ASR) technology when users prefer not to have a live assistant during calls. This captioning service is federally funded and provided free-of-charge to people whose hearing loss makes it difficult to understand phone calls.

Allina Health is a nonprofit health care system serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin, dedicated to preventing and treating illness and improving the health of individuals, families, and communities. Through a network of more than 90 clinics, 12 hospital campuses, 13 retail pharmacies, specialty care centers, home care, and emergency medical transportation, Allina Health provides high-quality care from birth through end-of-life.  

At the forefront of Allina Health’s mission are its Institutes, which offer nationally recognized experts and advanced care in key specialties:  

• Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute – A leader in cardiovascular innovation, research, and care delivery through clinical trials, publications, and training 4,000+ providers annually, it is consistently rated ‘High Performing’ by U.S. News & World Report.  
• Allina Health Cancer Institute – Providing comprehensive, personalized and innovative oncology care across the full cancer journey, delivered at ten locations – including its three largest hospitals which U.S. News & World Report consistently rates “High Performing” in multiple oncology specialties.  
• Allina Health Neuroscience, Spine and Pain Institute – Offering advanced neurological and spine care, including two nationally accredited stroke centers, innovative focused ultrasound treatment for essential tremor and tremor-dominant Parkinson's and a chronic pain rehabilitation program – one of only two in Minnesota.  

Together, these Institutes exemplify Allina Health’s commitment to clinical excellence, innovation, and compassionate care. Learn more at allinahealth.org and join us on Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn.