It sounds easy. Phones are phones, and hearing impaired phones can’t be that much different, right? Well, that’s true. They’re often not that much different, except for being louder when they ring and amplifying conversations to some degreee or another. And that’s where people buying hearing impaired phones often make errors in purchasing judgement: the elderly often have the easiest time using phones that are in fact very different than the cordless or cellular phones we use all the time. A phone that’s just like the phone you use, but louder, might not be a good choice at all.

Why is that? Well, let’s start by taking a closer look at cellular phones. They’re designed to be used by people with nimble fingers, decent eyesight, and the ability to keep track of a very small piece of rechargeable equipment. The new breed of so-called “senior cell phones” are somewhat louder than conventional cell phones, and have slightly larger displays and keypads, but they’re usually totally impractical for someone of truly advanced age. A sound-boosted cell phone like the Jitterbug might make a wonderful gift for an active Boomer, but if the person you’re considering buying it for is qualifiably elderly, think carefully before you buy. Do they have severe arthritis, Parkinson’s Disease, or any other medical conditions which would make handling and dialing a small phone difficult? Are they a little hard of hearing, or are they profoundly hearing impaired – do you need to speak very slowly and loudly when conversing with them? If so, a senior cell phone is not going to be a good choice – they’re not designed to accomodate the level of hearing loss or the physical limitations many older people have.

Cellular hearing impaired phones are also meant for mobile, on-the-go use – which may not be even slightly important to the person you’re considering buying this phone for. Do they frequently leave the house independently? If so, it’s possible that a senior cell phone may be a reasonable choice, but if not, you’re on the wrong track. It’s time to start thinking about hearing impaired phones for home use.

Which brings us to portable versus corded hearing impaired phones. You might hate the idea of being tied to one place when you’re using a phone, but this might not be a drawback to the person you’re buying the phone for. Elderly folks often have barely enough energy to get to the phone, let alone have spare energy to pace or wander from room to room while they’re having a conversation. For some, having several corded phones in strategic places – by the bedside and by their favored sitting place, for example – is a better option than a cordless model which needs to be hung up with buttons rather than by replacing a receiver.

You’ll also find that corded hearing impaired phones often have features the very elderly really appreciate, like extra amplification. Cordless hearing impaired phones usually offer between 20 and 40 decibel (dB) amplification – 20 dB being appropriate for someone with mild hearing loss, 40 dB for moderate hearing loss. Corded hearing impaired phones, on the other hand, commonly offer 60-plus dB of sound amplification – which is what someone who is profoundly deaf and not wearing hearing aids needs. Because of their design, corded hearing impaired phones can also offer features like extra-large buttons and even picture dialing, which can be very helpful to seniors with poor vision or memory problems.

The biggest advantage of cordless hearing impaired phones is their portability. This is especially important to consider if the person you’re buying it for has limited mobility, or just tends to move rather slowly, and it’s not possible to station the phone base close to where they spend the majority of their time. That scenario aside, cordless hearing impaired phones do offer a great deal of freedom and convenience in use – as long as the person using it will make sure it’s charged, can dial it easily, and can hear and understand conversations while using it.

Both corded and cordless hearing impaired phones are usually hearing aid compatible, which means that people using hearing aids won’t experience a lot of unpleasant static when using the phone. Both types also commonly feature visual ringers, meaning a light blinks when a call is coming in, and extra-loud ringers powerful enough to levitate a person with average hearing right out of their seat. Features like built-in voicemail, extensive phone number memory, and do not disturb functions are more commonly found in cordless hearing impaired phones, but can be found in corded models as well – IF those are features the person you’re buying it for will want. For some, features like these are a nuisance, not a convenience. If they’re not using these features on the phone they currently own, what are the chances they’re going to start using them on their new hearing impaired phone? Sometimes, simpler is better.

When it comes to buying a hearing impaired phone for a loved one, make sure you’re buying a phone which will genuinely meet their needs, not the fanciest one you can find, or the one you would most like to use. If you decide on a phone thoughtfully, carefully, and considerately, you’ll be making the right choice.

Once you’ve determined it’s time to buy a louder phone, the question is, which one? There are many models available, and they offer differing levels of amplification, different features, etc. Making a choice can be overwhelming. Here’s a checklist which can help you decide which phones for seniors will be practical, usable, and appreciated.

• Amplification. Amplification levels typically range from 20 decibels (dB) to 60 dB, and sometimes more. For people who are just slightly hard of hearing, 20 dB amplification is usually sufficient. For the moderately hearing impaired, a model with around 40 dB of amplification is a good choice. For those who are severely deaf, 60 dB of amplification or more may be needed.

• Usability. When looking for phones for seniors, take special note of the keypad, receiver, and general setup. Is it going to be easy to dial? Are the buttons easy to see? Is it corded or cordless? If you’re the one who’ll be using the phone, determining how practical it will be is obviously easy. If you’re buying the phone for someone else, actively put yourself in his or her shoes. Will seeing and dialing small buttons be difficult? Is the receiver very different from anything they’ve used previously? Do they have a preference for corded or cordless models? If you think like the person who will be using the phone, chances are a lot higher you’re going to buy a phone they’ll find easy and enjoyable to use. It’s worth mentioning that cordless models are often designed to work during power outages, and obviously have the advantage  of portability, which can be an issue if the user might be a little slow getting to the phone. If you’re discussing the phone purchase with the user before you buy, these are good points to mention. However, if the user maintains his or her preference for a corded phone, honor the preference. There are many excellent corded phones for seniors available, and some of these feature extra-large keypads, picture dialing, and other benefits not always available with cordless models.

• Features. You can buy amplified phones which are absolutely loaded with higher-tech features, like voice dialing, voicemail systems, call waiting and forwarding, built-in phonebooks and more. For some, these kinds of features are convenient and beneficial. For others, they’re confusing, and will not get much use. Again, this is an easy determination to make if the phone is for you, but if it’s not, realistically ask yourself if the user is going to want all these features, or if he or she would prefer something very basic. There’s no use spending more money on a feature-loaded phone if those features are never going to be used, or will make using the phone more difficult.

• Ringers. Phones for seniors are often – but not always – thoughtfully designed with extra-loud ringers as well as “visual ringers,” ie, a light which blinks when a call is coming in. A practical ringer is an absolute must in a phone for a hard of hearing person.

When you’re shopping for phones for seniors, bear these points in mind. They’ll help you choose the best phone, and you’ll feel confident knowing you’ve made an intelligent, thoughtful purchase.

What makes a phone hearing aid compatible? According to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, a hearing aid compatible phone provides internal means, meaning without the use of external devices, for effective use with hearing aids. Most modern hearing aids are designed to be compatible with telephones that meet the FCC’s technical standard for hearing aid compatibility. This is usually accomplished by inserting a telecoil in telephones which detects, or is compatible with, a similar telecoil in the hearing aid, allowing the hearing aid to “couple” with the telephone through an electromagnetic field.

Sounds simple enough. However, most people who need a hearing aid compatible phone also need the phone to have specific features in order to use the phone with ease and convenience. One of the most important of these features is extra amplification, which generally ranges from 20 decibels (dB) to 60 dB, depending on the level of hearing loss the user experiences. Other features which can play a significant role in the phone’s usability and value include easily seen and dialed keys, extra-loud and visual ringers, operability during power outages, portability, and higher-tech options like call waiting and phone number storage.

Clearly, there are many decisions to be made before purchasing a hearing aid compatible phone. To make the process easier, here’s a handy comparison of three of the highest customer-rated hearing aid compatible phones available on Amazon.com.

AT&T Future Call Amplified Hearing Aid Compatible Phones

• Five star average customer rating
• Designed for moderate to severe hearing loss – amplifies sound up to 40 decibels
• Ideal when dialing’s an issue - pictures can be placed inside each of 10 oversized one-touch dialing keys
• Secure in emergencies - 911 key works even if the unit is unplugged from the phone line
• Miss fewer calls – bright LED lights activate when calls come in
• Bottom line – AT&T Future Call Amplified Hearing Aid Compatible Phonesare among the top hearing aid compatible phones for those with moderate to severe hearing loss and vision problems or difficulty dialing.

Ameriphone Clarity Big Key Amplified Hearing Aid Compatible Phones

• Four and a half star average customer rating
• Designed for moderate to severe hearing loss – amplifies sound up to 43 decibels, and has special settings to super-clarify high-frequency sound
• Easy to dial even with low vision - features high-contrast, backlit, extra-large keys
• Secure in emergencies - battery backup makes phone work even during power outages
• Miss very few calls – bright LED lights activate when calls come in, and ringer can be set to 95+ decibels
• Bottom line – Ameriphone Clarity Big Key Amplified Hearing Aid Compatible Phonesare some of the best hearing aid compatible phones for those with moderate to severe hearing loss who enjoy having the freedom to fine-tune amplification, and who would benefit from a keypad designed to be easily seen and dialed.

Uniden Corded/Cordless Amplified Hearing Aid Compatible Phones

• Four star average customer rating
• Designed for mild hearing loss – amplifies sound up to 20 decibels, and has volume-boost and equalizer settings to fine-tune sound
• Easy to dial with mild vision loss - features high-contrast, backlit keys and large LCD displays
• Secure in emergencies - cordless unit works during power outages and when phone lines are down
• Miss fewer calls – bright LED lights activate when calls come in
• Plenty of features – includes digital answering system, caller ID, call waiting and forwarding, speaking call announcements, and stores 70 phonebook entries
• Bottom line – Uniden Corded/Cordless Amplified Hearing Aid Compatible Phonesare among the best hearing aid compatible phones for those with mild hearing loss who like the choice of using a corded or cordless handset and who enjoy having plenty of convenient features at their disposal.

Read our post on phones for hard of hearing folks to learn more about the options available in amplified telephones.

• Ideal for severe hearing loss – offers incoming volume amplification up to 60+ decibels
• Incoming voice volume is adjustable – lets the user find the best level of amplification for each conversation, and allows for comfortable use by non-hard of hearing people
• Background noise is not a problem – features an advanced electronic circuit design which eliminates unwanted background noise and has an Anti-Feedback Filter to eliminate feedback and distortion, even at the highest volume levels
• Miss fewer calls – amplified super-loud ringer can increase ring volume to to 100 decibels, and a bright flashing light accompanies the ring
• Works with other devices for the hard of hearing – has a hearing aid compatible handset and a 3.5mm audio output jack for assistive listening devices such as headsets or neckloops
• Convenient features designed with the user in mind – includes 12 memory dialing buttons, a visual voice mail/unanswered call indicator, and a large, high-contrast backlit keypad for easy dialing
• Secure – AC Adapter with battery backup makes phone useable in the event of a power outage
• Comes with a one-year manufacturer’s warranty

Bottom line – the Ameriphone XL 50is one of the best phones for hard of hearing folks who have severe hearing loss and prefer a basic, easy to use corded phone.

Benefits:

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• Perfect for moderate hearing loss – amplification system boosts incoming voices by as much as 40 decibels
• Incoming voice volume is adjustable – lets the user find the best level of amplification for each conversation, and allows for comfortable use by non-hard of hearing people
• Eliminates background noise, echoing, and frequency problems – unique sound filtering system, digital signal processing, noise reduction, and echo cancellation make incoming voices clear and understandable even at the highest volumes
• Easily hear whoever’s speaking – includes three special tone settings for people who have difficulty hearing certain types of voices, making even high-pitched voices clear and distinct
• Dramatically decrease the odds of missing a call – an extra loud ringer, bright flashing visual indicator in both the handset and the base unit, and a vibrating handset ringer offer triple notification every time there is an incoming call
• No hurrying to reach the phone when you can take it with you – convenient cordless design even features a belt clip, making it a great choice for those using canes or walkers
• Works with other devices for the hard of hearing – fully hearing aid compatible and has a 3.5mm audio output jack for neckloops and a 2.5mm output jack for headsets.
• Dialing’s a breeze – features extra-large, brightly lit keypad

Bottom line – the Clarity C4205is one of the best phones for hard of hearing folks who have moderate hearing loss, need a phone with highly customizable sound settings, and want the freedom of mobility a cordless phone offers.

Benefits:

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• Excellent for mild hearing loss – amplifies incoming sound at 20 decibels
• No need to choose between a corded or cordless model – comes with both in one unit
• Secure – has built-in power failure protection, making it usable even when power and phone lines are down
• Offers plenty of features with the user’s convenience in mind – has speaking call announcement, a voice message system which can replay messages at a slower speed, speakerphone, caller ID, call waiting, a 70-entry phonebook and a Do Not Disturb function which automatically forwards all incoming calls to voicemail
• Hard to miss incoming calls – gives you the option to choose very loud ring-tones and has LEDs in the handset and base unit which light up and flash when a call is coming in
• Cuts background noise – designed using unique interference-free technology and features an equalizer which significantly reduces background sound and makes higher and lower pitches voices easier to hear
• Easy to dial – keypads on both the base and cordless handsets are lit, and the base unit has large keys
• Gives you the freedom of mobility – powerful, lightweight cordless handset works even when carried far away from the base unit

Bottom line – the Uniden CEZAi2998is one of the best phones for hard of hearing folks who have mild hearing loss, want the choice of using a corded or cordless phone, and enjoy having lots of convenient features at their disposal.

Amazon.com has a large selection of phones for hard of hearing folks, designed to accommodate all levels of hearing loss. Phones for hard of hearing can also be found in retail outlets, but it’s very difficult to find the kind of selection Amazon offers. If you’re considering buying phones for hard of hearing relatives, or for yourself, Amazon.com is the most logical place to start.

The Uniden CEZAi2998 is unique in that it’s one of the only amplified phone systems on the market which comes with both a desk-top handset and a cordless handset, giving the user the choice of which to use. Having the freedom to move about the house while making and receiving calls can be extremely handy, especially for people with limited mobility. Making it to the phone in time to answer isn’t a problem when you have a phone you can carry with you.

The cordless handset is lightweight yet very powerful, and works even when carried far away from the base unit. One gentleman who shared his experiences after purchasing the Uniden CEZAi2998 from Amazon said, “I’ve taken it to my neighbors and used it there when I watch their house..at that point the signal is traveling across 50ft of open space-and going through a fence, two stucco walls and three conventional gypsum board walls. Pretty impressive.” Pretty impressive, indeed!

Another feature of the Uniden CEZAi2998 lots of users love is power failure protection. Even if the power goes out or phone lines are down, calls can still be made and received from the Uniden CEZAi2998′s base unit, which could prove life-saving in the event of an emergency. For those living independently, this is a very reassuring feature.

But how well does the Uniden CEZAi2998 amplify, and how practical is it for someone who is seriously hard of hearing? It amplifies sound at 20 decibels, which is perfect for someone who’s mildly hard of hearing, but may not be enough for someone with more serious hearing problems. There are phones out there which amplify sound up to 50 decibels, like the Ameriphone XL50, and one of these might be a better choice for someone with severe hearing loss. But if you’re dealing with mild hearing loss, the Uniden CEZAi2998 has more than enough sound boost. It also features an equalizer which effectively cuts down background noise, which makes it much easier for someone with less than sharp hearing to understand phone conversations.

This video explains how much amplification to look for in a phone, depending on the severity of hearing loss. It also provides some great information on various features common to amplified phones, like why large keypads might be more important than you’d think. It touches on the advantages of cordless units like the Uniden CEZAi2998, and is definitely worth checking out:

For folks who often have trouble hearing the phone ring, the Uniden CEZAi2998 gives you the option to choose very loud ring-tones – more than loud enough for most people to hear – and even has LEDs in the handset and the base unit which light up and flash when a call is coming in. It’s pretty hard to miss a call when you’re using this phone. Even if you do miss a call, the Uniden CEZAi2998′s built-in answering system is very easy to use, and even has a feature which lets you slow down the messages when you replay them. This could prove invaluable to a person who has a tough time understanding people who speak quickly.

The Uniden CEZAi2998 also has a speaking call announcement system, so you can actually hear who’s calling before answering. For people who don’t get around as quickly as they used to, this is a very nice feature; it lets you decide whether it’s worth getting up to get the phone, or if it’s something you’d rather let the answering system handle. The Uniden CEZAi2998 even has a Do Not Disturb feature, which turns the ringer off and forwards all calls to the answering system when it’s activated.

The Uniden CEZAi2998 also has lit keypads on both the base and cordless handsets, which make dialing easier. The base unit has large keys, which would really come in handy for someone who has a hard time seeing. The keys on the Uniden CEZAi2998′s cordless handset could be a little larger, and they don’t light up quite as brightly as those on the base unit, but they’re still easy to see and dial.

Overall, the Uniden CEZAi2998 is an excellent choice for someone whose mild hearing loss is impacting their ability to use the phone. It’s easy to use and set up, amplifies sound well, and has lots of practical, convenient features the user will appreciate.

If you’re looking for a phone which offers more amplification and simpler features, check out our posts on the Clarity C4205 and Ameriphone XL 50 hearing aid compatible phones.

The telephone has become an indispensable part of everyday communication for just about everyone, in just about every circumstance; we count on the phone for business, for social interaction, for setting appointments and brief consultations, and most of us even consider our phone as our lifeline in case of an emergency.

But for the hearing impaired, it’s a different story. Most people who are even slightly hard of hearing find that talking on the phone is a major challenge. Many older people find that even if they can hear adequately in person, over the phone voices sound faint, distant, and muffled. Unless the person on the other end is speaking very slowly, their words often seem to run together into an indistinguishable river of noise. And if there’s any static or background interference, it’s even worse.

For many older people an ordinary phone call can be an exercise in frustration and embarrassment. If the conversation is social, the inevitable misunderstandings are inconvenient and annoying; in some cases, like a discussion with a pharmacist about medication, misunderstandings can be downright life threatening.

Amplified telephones, phone line boosters, and other assistive listening devices can’t restore normal hearing, but they can and do restore the ability to communicate clearly, comfortably, and with confidence.

Phone line amplifiers and amplified handsets are simple, easy-to-connect devices that give ordinary telephones a significant volume boost. Most line or handset amplifiers are designed to do one thing and one thing only: they boost the volume of incoming voices. But what they lack in features, they make up for in convenience and portability. This makes them a good option for people who need a high-volume phone but aren’t always in a situation where hooking up an amplified phone is feasible – for instance, at work or when traveling.

Simply making incoming voices louder is enough of an assist to make phone conversations feasible for some, but for many older people increasing volume is only part of the solution. For those with moderate to significant hearing loss, pitch, frequency, and background noise are all important factors.

Amplified telephones not only provide incoming volume boost, they also offer a broad range of features that can dramatically enhance speech clarity. Both conventional and cordless units with adjustable frequency controls, digital processing that filters out background noise, and even tone correction capability are available, many with volume amplification up to as much as 50 db. Amplified phones make coping with hearing loss easier for the person losing their hearing, as well as their loved ones.

If you’re looking for telephones for hard of hearing people which provide the maximum amplification along with advanced frequency, tone, and noise filtering capability, consider the Ameriphone XL 50 – a good choice when other phones just aren’t powerful enough. Check out our post on phones for hard of hearing folks for more information.