A Guide to Phones for Hard of Hearing Folks
Buying hearing aid compatible phones for hard of hearing loved ones can be overwhelming. With so many styles to choose from, it’s hard to be sure you’re getting the model which will best meet their needs. Here’s a handy comparison of three of the highest-rated phones for hard of hearing folks available from Amazon.com.
 
Benefits:
- 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:
- 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:
- 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.
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The customer's always right. Here's a sampling of customer reviews of these phones for hard of hearing folks from Amazon.com:
Ameriphone XL 50
"I tried several phones for the hearing impared and did not find a satisfactory one till I purchased the Ameriphone XL 50. This is a product that certainly meets my needs. I can highly recomend it. Very easy to set up." - Harry R. Fillmore, Memphis, TN (full review)
"We purchased the phone for my folks, who are in the 80s...They had trouble hearing on a traditional landline phone and on their cell phone, but not with the XL-50. They can hear again and we can actually hold conversations, something we've missed for the past few years. Definitely recommended." - L. Manuta, Upstate NY (full review)
"My parents have trouble hearing a normal telephone. This phone solved that problem. It has a very loud ringer, large keypad, tone control, a very easy to use 10 number speed dial, and a boosted volume control. Some of the other phones I looked at the volume would return to a normal setting after each call was completed, this phone can be set to keep the volume at the desired level! This phone also has the option of adding a flashing light and or a vibrating pad to alert you to an incoming call. It is great being able to have a normal phone conversation with my parents again!" - J. Dillon, Altoona, PA (full review)
Clarity C4205
"I bought this phone for my mother who is 85 and VERY hard of hearing. She has had other phones for the hearing impaired but was not able to hear very well. She was constantly trying to adjust her hearing aid. With this phone she can hear clearly, I don't have to yell into the phone, and she actually hears it ring, answers on the first call, instead of me having to leave several messages, or stop what I was doing to go to her house to check on her. Now she can have a normal conversation without trying to guess what was said, or missing out compleatly. She is happy therfore so am I." - S. Fliehler, Des Moines, IA (full review)
"I bought this phone for my dad who is very hard of hearing and uses hearing aides in both ears. He likes the phone very much and is able to carry on telephone conversations much more easily now." - Gloria J. Boulden, Northern CA (full review)
"I bought this for my eighty-six-year-old mother who is sure that she doesn't have a hearing problem; wish I agreed. So far she doesn't need the 'boost' button, but the regular sound is much better than the other cordless phones we'd tried. It does change sound quality a bit - voices sound a bit different, but they are clear enough for her to understand. It was just what we needed." - Flush Barrett-Browning, Tennessee Valley (full review)
Uniden CEZAi2998
"I purchased this for my 86 year-old mother who has trouble whenever she gets on the phone. She is always taking the hearing aids out or putting them in. Finally I can call mom and she can hear who is on the line and doesn't have to fool with her hearing aids! Yeah! I highly recommend this purchase for the hard of hearing and the elderly." - Sally, Thurmont, MD (full review)
"Big Bright Buttons, Big Sound, Big Features and it lights up when it rings or flashes when you have messages. Don't look at another phone. Just Buy It!!!!!!!" - pechuna, Des Moines, IA (full review)
"I wear a hearing aid, and this phone has been a blessing. It rings loud and clear, and also flashes! It's very easy to add phone numbers into the phonebook. I love being able to update the phonebook on both the corded and cordless phones. Both phones also come with the speakerphone feature, and can play back messages on both phones!!...Hubby and I sometimes have difficulty reading the little display, but we have low vision problems...We also love the "Do Not Disturb" feature...You can also purchase additional cordless phones for other rooms." - D. Johnson, San Diego, CA (full review)
"We have tried several cordless phones....None have the clarity and range that this unit has. We live in a multi level home and the corded base is in the main living area...the others would not even work in the next room let alone the back yard or garage.. Uniden has it nailed... we can even use these babies across the street...Awesome phones." - tonyp (full review)
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