Telephones with hearing aid compatibility are an excellent investment. Not only are they of great benefit to hearing aid wearers, but these extra loud phones are also extremely useful to anyone who is hard of hearing. At Hearing Direct, we provide a high-quality selection of amplified phones that work with hearing aids.
Gary comes from 16 years’ experience in the hearing aid industry in both manufacturing and retail. Before co-founding HearingDirect, Gary was Marketing Director for a leading global hearing aid brand; GN ReSound where he worked for the UK sales division and latterly in their global headquarters in Copenhagen. He was responsible for developing and launching major global hearing aid models, conducting extensive research into the needs of the hearing impaired community and their performance demands of hearing aids and other devices.
Telephones with Hearing Aid Compatibility
Many telephones in the amplified phones market claim to be hearing aid compatible but what does this really mean? In order to answer this, we need to understand what amplified telephones are designed to do and how they can be of service to those who struggle to hear people on the phone.
A telephone with hearing aid compatibility designed for the hard of hearing, be it an amplified corded phone or an amplified cordless phone, has two main properties that differentiate it from the standard equivalents.
- It is able to provide significantly more volume from its ringer and the incoming caller’s voice without compromising on clarity.
- It has the capability to interact with a telecoil inside the hearing aid and means that you can hold the phone handset to your ear without needing to remove your hearing aid (See our post "What is Telecoil?").
These two features are, in fact, distinct from each other. Furthermore, if you are visually impaired, big button phones offer these features as well as large, clear displays and big, easy to see buttons.
How Hearing Aid Compatibility Works
Hearing aid compatible phones are not just ‘hearing aid friendly’ in the sense that they are easier to use with hearing aids than ordinary phones, although this is often the presumption as to the meaning of their ‘compatibility’. It actually refers to something quite different and much more beneficial. The term is referring to the communication capabilities between the phone and the hearing aid. Hearing aid compatible phones have an induction loop in the handset that connects to a hearing aid when it is in its ‘T’ or telecoil setting. Once connected, the output from the phone is transmitted directly to the hearing aid and then amplified by the settings within the device. Therefore, the phone is not providing the volume/amplification but rather the hearing aid is at whatever level has been programmed for the individual and their hearing loss (See our post "Making the most of your Telecoil settings").
In addition, these phones also have the ability to provide a much greater than normal volume level straight from the handset. As such, people can use these phones without their hearing aids. The fact that amplified phones offer both of these two separate benefits with the same goal in mind (that of helping people hear better on the phone) makes them particularly good value for money and also distinguishes them from some ‘big button’ phones that purport to help with this issue.
Which Amplified Phones are Compatible with Digital Hearing Aids?
Which phones are best for the hearing impaired? We have put together a guide to provide you with the best phones for the hard of hearing that we supply. Phones for the hard of hearing can help ease communication for both the hearing impaired and the elderly. At Hearing Direct we are able to offer a vast selection of many super loud amplified phones. This includes our excellent range of:Clarity BT914 Amplified Cordless Telephone With Answering Machine
When it comes to extra loud telephones for the hard of hearing, it does not get much better than the Clarity BT914 Amplified Cordless Telephone With Answering Machine. This extra loud phone system provides up to 40dB amplification so you'll never miss a call again! It's hearing aid compatible for those with telecoil settings.
Geemarc AmpliDect 350 Amplified Cordless Telephone
The Geemarc AmpliDect 350 Amplified Cordless Telephone has been designed specifically to allow for maximum hearing aid compatibility when used with a hearing instrument in the T position, keeping interference to a minimum, for a clear sound free of feedback. Adjustable volume control (up to 40dB) and tone control are also accessible on this Amplidect 350 thanks to large push-button controls on the side of the amplified telephone.
Click here to see more of our hearing aid compatible amplified telephones.
Check Your Hearing Online For Free
At HearingDirect, we have created our very own online hearing test so you can test your hearing for free and in the comfort of your own home. All you will need is a few free minutes and some ear or headphones. Once the test is complete, you will get your results instantly via email and based on the outcome of the hearing test, you may be encouraged to take further action.About Hearing Direct
We are one of the world's leading hearing aid specialists. Hearing Direct offers a wide range of affordable products, as well as information resources to help improve the quality of life for the hard of hearing. We sell:
- Hearing aids,
- Batteries,
- Hearing Aid Accessories such as earplugs,
- and amplified devices such as super loud alarm clocks and amplified phones.
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Author: Gary Hill
