Assistive Listening Devices for Telephone Amplification

An amplification device makes sounds louder.  This section discusses easily obtainable amplification devices, explains the advantages and disadvantages of each, and provides suggestions about what to look for when purchasing a device.

Telephone Amplification
Telephone amplifiers make the voice to which you are listening louder.  The telephone can be a difficult listening situation because there are no helpful visual cues.  Being able to perceive the spoken words, tone of voice, humor, or sarcasm is extremely difficult on the telephone.  In addition, many telephone signals are not 100% clear.  Often people will notice difficulty hearing on the phone before they notice any other symptoms of hearing loss.

Integrated Amplified Telephone
This is a telephone that has an amplifier and volume control wheel built directly into it.
Advantages:

• Volume control is built directly into the telephone.
• No "add-ons," which means no compatibility problems.
• An integrated amplifier is powerful and ranges in amplification from 30-50dB.  (The larger the number the louder the phone).

Disadvantages:

• It is more expensive than an add-on amplifier.
• It may require an electrical outlet, limiting where it can be placed.

Features to look for in an integrated amplified phone:

• Tone Enhancement:  This feature typically allows the listener to increase high frequency amplification, an area of hearing seniors need the most help with.  It is often advertised as a "clarity enhancing" feature.
   
• Built in alerting device:  With this feature the telephone may ring louder, or the listener may be able to change the volume, pitch or ring pattern in order to accommodate the hearing loss.  Some phones may also have a small light that flashes when the phone rings.
   
• Hearing Aid Compatible:  This feature means that the telephone will work with a hearing aid that has a telecoil.  Most behind-the-ear hearing aids have a telecoil, however, many custom products (in-the-ear, in-the-canal, and completely-in-the-canal) do not have a telecoil.  Ask the Audiologist if you are not sure what you have.
   
• Speakerphone:  The telephone may be equipped with a speakerphone which allows a person with a hearing aid to use the phone without the risk of feedback.
   
   
   
   
• Large Buttons:  This feature is ideal for people with low vision or limited fine motor abilities.
   
• Memory Buttons:  Typically up to 10 different telephone numbers may be preprogrammed and dialed with the touch of just one button.  This is ideal for people with memory problems.
   
• Picture Phone:  This feature has room for a picture of the person next to the memory dial button.  This is best for people with significant memory issues or limited literacy.
   
• Cordless telephones:  Many consumers like the freedom of a cordless phone.  However, cordless phones are often not as loud.
   
  
• Outgoing voice amplification:  This feature makes your voice louder so the person with whom you are speaking can hear your voice more clearly.
   
  
   
• Caller ID:  This is an excellent feature for a person with hearing loss.  It allows the listener to know who is calling prior to picking up the phone, therefore, he is somewhat prepared for what the phone call will be about.  For example, if it is the person’s son, he is probably calling about dinner plans together that evening.  Being prepared for the topic of conversation helps people "hear" better.

Add on Amplifier
 
This amplifier is connected to the existing telephone.
Advantages:

• It is inexpensive.
• An add-on amplifier is portable and can be attached to other phones.

Disadvantages:

• Compatibility with existing phones is often a problem as it only works with certain models.  For example, it will not work with a telephone that dials from the handset such as a princess style phone or cordless phone.

Features to look for in an add-on amplifier:

• Box system: This amplifier is a small box that attaches between the handset and the base of the phone.  It will have a volume control that will be easy to manipulate while talking because the box will sit on the table next to the phone.
• Amplified handset:  This model replaces the actual handset of the current phone with a handset that has an amplifier.  There is a volume wheel on the handset that can be difficult to adjust while talking on the phone at the same time (one must to pull the phone away from the ear).
• Electrical transformer:  Units that have this feature need to be plugged into an electrical outlet.  This may be a disadvantage depending on where the phone is in relation to electrical outlets.  However, these units provide the most amplification.
• Battery powered:  These units provide a fair amount of amplification, but the person must make sure batteries are charged.
• Line powered:  These units work using the power of the phone line.  Often the easiest to use and care for, they also tend to be the least powerful.