What is the best telephone for the elderly hard of hearing?

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, approximately one-third of people in the United States between the ages of 65 and 74 have hearing loss. This guide explores what is the best telephone for the elderly hard of hearing by focusing on the features that provide clear, amplified sound for seamless conversations.

Quick Summary

The best telephones for the elderly hard of hearing combine powerful amplification, adjustable tone control, visual alerts, and large, easy-to-use buttons to make communication clear and simple.

Key Points

• Amplification is Key: Look for phones offering 40-50 dB or higher volume boosts to ensure conversations are loud and clear.

• Customize with Tone Control: Adjustable tone control lets users fine-tune sound frequencies, making speech more intelligible.

• Consider Captioned Telephones: For severe hearing loss, captioned phones provide a real-time text transcript of the conversation, aiding comprehension.

• Check for HAC: Hearing Aid Compatibility is essential for users with hearing aids, enabling direct audio streaming via a telecoil (T-coil) to reduce feedback.

• Evaluate User Needs: The best phone depends on the user's tech-savviness, mobility, and vision, with options ranging from simple big-button landlines to senior-friendly smartphones.

Understanding the Needs of the Hard of Hearing

For many older adults, standard telephones can be frustrating and isolating. Hearing loss often affects certain sound frequencies, making it difficult to distinguish speech from background noise. Specialized telephones address these challenges with features designed to boost volume, clarify voices, and provide visual cues for incoming calls.

Essential Features to Look For

Choosing the right phone requires understanding which features will best address a person's specific hearing needs. A combination of several key features often provides the most benefit.

1. High Amplification: Look for phones that can amplify incoming sound significantly, often up to 50 dB or more. This boost can make a phone call much louder and more audible than a standard phone. Some models, like the Clarity XLC3.4+, offer up to 50dB of amplification and can even amplify outgoing speech up to 15dB.
2. Tone Control: Amplification alone isn't always enough. Tone control allows the user to adjust the frequency of the sound, emphasizing either high or low tones to match their hearing needs. This customization can dramatically improve speech clarity, making voices easier to understand.
3. Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC): For individuals using hearing aids, HAC is a crucial feature. Phones with HAC can transmit sound directly to a hearing aid that has a telecoil (T-coil) setting, reducing background noise and feedback.
4. Visual Ring Indicator: A visual cue, such as a bright flashing light, ensures that incoming calls are not missed even if the ringer is not heard. This is especially helpful in noisy environments or for those with profound hearing loss.
5. Large, High-Contrast Buttons: For seniors who may also have low vision, oversized buttons with clear, high-contrast numbers are essential for easy dialing. A talking keypad, which audibly announces the numbers pressed, is another excellent feature.
6. Loud Ringer: An extra-loud ringer, often with adjustable settings, ensures the phone can be heard from another room. Some amplified phones feature ringers up to 95 dB.
7. Captioning Service: For those with significant hearing loss, captioned phones like those from CapTel are a game-changer. These devices display written captions of the conversation in real-time on a large screen, similar to closed captions on a television.

Types of Telephones for Seniors

Beyond specific features, the type of phone itself—corded, cordless, or a cellular device—will depend on the user's lifestyle and needs.

Amplified Landline Phones

• Corded Amplified Phones: These are reliable and straightforward, often featuring the loudest and clearest amplification. The cord ensures a consistent connection and eliminates the need for charging. Models like the Clarity JV35 include large, high-contrast braille keys and talking keypad options.
• Cordless Amplified Phones: Offering mobility, these phones are ideal for users who need to move around the house while talking. Look for models that use DECT 6.0 technology for clearer, interference-free sound, such as the Clarity D714. Many models support multiple handsets.

Senior-Friendly Cell Phones

• Simple Flip Phones: Devices like the Lively Jitterbug Flip2 feature a simple interface, large buttons, and a loud, clear speaker. They often include an Urgent Response button for emergencies and offer excellent hearing aid compatibility.
• Simplified Smartphones: For tech-savvy seniors, a simplified smartphone like the Lively Jitterbug Smart4 offers a large, bright screen and an easy-to-navigate menu. It also includes a dedicated Urgent Response button and excellent audio features.

Captioned Phones

• CapTel Phones: These telephones are specifically designed to provide live, word-for-word captions of your phone conversations. Captioned phones require a standard phone line and internet connection to function. Some models, like the CapTel 840i, feature large, traditional-style buttons and an easy-to-read screen.

Comparison of Amplified Telephones

Feature	Amplified Corded Phone	Amplified Cordless Phone	Captioned Phone	Senior-Friendly Cell Phone
Amplification	Very high (50+ dB)	High (up to 40-50 dB)	Moderate to High (40 dB)	High, often with HAC
Best For	Maximum amplification, no charging, low tech-savviness	Mobility, moderate hearing loss, multiple handsets	Significant hearing loss, relies on reading captions	Active seniors, emergencies, combining mobility and features
Button Size	Typically very large	Often large, backlit buttons	Large, high-contrast buttons	Large, simplified buttons on flip phones
Key Feature	Power outage reliability	Cordless freedom	Real-time conversation captions	All-in-one portability, emergency features
Extra Needs	Limited mobility, need for strong connection	Regular charging, potential for interference	Internet connection required for captions	Cellular service plan required

Factors for Choosing the Right Device

1. Severity of Hearing Loss: Mild to moderate hearing loss may only require an amplified phone with tone control. Severe to profound hearing loss is better served by a captioned phone, which provides both auditory and visual cues.
2. Mobility and Location: For those who need to move around the house while on the phone, an amplified cordless phone or a senior-friendly cell phone is a good choice. If mobility is limited or the user prefers simplicity, a corded phone at a central location is best.
3. Technological Comfort: Consider the user's familiarity with technology. A simple, big-button corded phone is less intimidating than a smartphone for those who are not tech-savvy. For those who embrace new tech, a smartphone designed for seniors can be an excellent way to stay connected.
4. Additional Needs: If the user also has low vision, prioritize phones with extra-large, high-contrast buttons and a talking keypad. For those concerned about emergencies, devices with an SOS or urgent response button provide an extra layer of safety.

How to Improve the Call Experience Further

• Reduce Background Noise: Ensure calls are made from a quiet environment to minimize distractions.
• Use Speakerphone: For hands-free conversations, use the speakerphone feature. This can help to use both ears to hear the sound, improving clarity.
• Stream to Hearing Aids: If using modern hearing aids with Bluetooth, connect them directly to a smartphone to stream audio for clearer calls.

Conclusion

There is no single best telephone for the elderly hard of hearing, as the ideal choice depends on individual needs. By prioritizing features like high amplification, adjustable tone control, visual ringers, and hearing aid compatibility, you can find a device that significantly improves communication. For users who need maximum clarity and reliability, an amplified corded phone is a strong contender. For those valuing mobility, amplified cordless phones or senior-friendly cell phones offer excellent solutions. Captioned phones provide an invaluable visual aid for more severe hearing loss. Ultimately, selecting a phone that combines user-friendliness with powerful assistive features empowers seniors to stay connected with confidence. For further reading, an authoritative resource on the subject of hearing loss can be found at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association website.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an amplified phone and a regular phone?

An amplified phone has a built-in amplifier that can boost the volume of incoming sound significantly higher than a standard phone, making it easier for individuals with hearing loss to hear conversations.

Can I get a captioned phone for free?

Yes, many captioned phone services are available at no cost to qualified users through various government-sponsored programs, such as those that support the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Do amplified phones require special service?

No, most amplified phones, particularly landline models, work with a standard telephone line. For captioned phones, a standard phone line and internet connection are typically needed.

What does 'HAC' stand for in telephones?

HAC stands for Hearing Aid Compatible. It indicates that the phone is designed to work with hearing aids that have a telecoil, or T-coil, setting, which helps reduce background noise and feedback.

Are there amplified phones for people with low vision as well?

Yes, many amplified phones are also designed for individuals with low vision. These models often feature extra-large, high-contrast buttons, backlit keypads, and talking keypads that announce the numbers being pressed.

Is a cordless or corded amplified phone better?

The best option depends on the user. Corded phones generally offer stronger amplification and are more reliable during a power outage. Cordless phones provide more mobility within the home.

What if the person isn't good with technology?

For those who are not tech-savvy, a simple, amplified corded phone with big buttons and clear labels is often the easiest option. Some captioned phones also offer a traditional design for familiarity.