Are you buying a hearing impaired phone for a loved one with age-related hearing loss? If so, there are a few points you need to consider before you go charging out to the local electronics store, credit card in hand. Hearing impaired phones can really make a difference in the quality of life of someone who’s hard of hearing, so you want to be sure the phone you select for them is something they’ll really be able to use.
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.