Rogervoice launches US operations & names new lead

Rogervoice has launched its US operations, passed 10 million captioned calls globally, and appointed Stephanie Lehuger as US Country Lead.

The move expands the captioned calling app into a market where more than 50 million Americans are hard of hearing, according to the company.

Rogervoice provides real-time captioned phone calls for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. The app supports more than 100 languages in over 50 countries and is certified by the Federal Communications Commission, allowing eligible US users to access captioned calling services at no charge.

Founded in 2014 by Olivier Jeannel, who has been profoundly deaf since age two, the business was created to address the difficulties many deaf and hard-of-hearing people face with voice calls. Its app converts speech to text in real time and lets users reply by speaking or typing.

Jeannel said the company's US expansion follows a period of heavier usage. Nearly 55% of users make one or two calls a day, while 24% make more than five, according to the company.

"Growing up, I experienced firsthand how isolating phone calls could be when audio was the only option," said Olivier Jeannel, founder of Rogervoice. "We built Rogervoice to make phone conversations more accessible. Launching in the U.S. is a major step forward in our mission to empower people with independence and equal access to communication."

The app has received more than 2,000 five-star reviews and is used by people aged 30 to 80, according to the company. Users rely on it for work, healthcare, financial matters, and personal communication.

Customer comments highlight the role captioned calling can play in daily life for people with hearing loss.

"This app is like the holy grail to me. Never before have I had such freedom," said one Rogervoice user. "The quality of this system has made it possible to become independent when the need to make and receive phone calls independently has transformed my life."

"I am 68 years old and unable to understand any conversations, even with my hearing aids... Phone calls are a disaster for me... I have now come back to life, and I'm able to enjoy my conversations with anyone who phones me," said another user.

"My mom lost her hearing about two years ago and I never realized how much I missed talking to her on the phone until I got this app," said a Rogervoice customer.

US expansion

Lehuger joins the US effort with experience in technology startups across Paris, San Francisco, and New York. She has worked as a founding-team operator and go-to-market leader, and has evaluated deep-tech and AI projects for the European Commission.

Her work has focused on responsible innovation and technology with social impact. She has also been recognised as one of the "100 Brilliant Women in AI Ethics" and holds graduate degrees in business, public policy, and philosophy.

In her new role, she is expected to lead adoption efforts among consumers, healthcare providers, audiologists, and accessibility advocates. Rogervoice is also working with telecom providers, state and federal organisations, and advocacy groups across the country.

"For more than 50 million Americans who are hard of hearing, phone calls can be stressful," said Stephanie Lehuger, US Country Lead at Rogervoice. "Because Rogervoice was built from the lived experience of a founder who shares that struggle, we understand exactly how to help anyone fighting to stay connected-from young professionals to seniors and their caregivers. Our focus in the U.S. is to expand access at scale, so more people can communicate with confidence, independence, and control."