| There are many people that struggle to communicate | | | | that make hard of hearing phones are BT, Geemarc, |
| on the phone, all because they don't have the right | | | | Doro, Panasonic, and Plantronics. |
| telephone. Especially those that are hard of hearing as | | | | It is possible to even increase the volume of an |
| there are so many different types of solutions | | | | existing telephone by adding a small amplifier into the |
| available. Often a standard telephone is not quite loud | | | | handset socket. These devices are not very |
| enough and being able to call a friend or relative is | | | | expensive and give the phone that extra boost in |
| very important. People such as the elderly can often | | | | volume needed. They are usually very small in size |
| struggle with technology, however the majority of hard | | | | and have a small volume control so the user can set |
| of hearing phones nowadays are simplified and easy | | | | the sound level manually. |
| to use. | | | | These types of phones are also specially designed so |
| These types of hard of hearing phones come in a | | | | anyone with a hearing aid can use them as well. They |
| huge range of different shapes, colours, and sizes. | | | | have special inductive couplers so that feedback is |
| However the main thing that they all do is offer that | | | | reduced when they are on the phone. A good |
| extra increase in volume that standard phones do not. | | | | example of this is when you put a microphone next to |
| This amplification in telephones like this is usually | | | | a speaker, like you might have heard from a karaoke |
| powered by either batteries, or connection into a | | | | machine. It often happens to me when I'm singing one |
| power socket. If someone is particularly hard of | | | | of my imaginary number one hits. |
| hearing then there are models that can increase sound | | | | Having telephone that you can use is not much good if |
| to 45dB. | | | | you can't hear it ringing. For this reason most of the |
| One such range of telephones is by a company called | | | | hard of hearing phones also have extra loud ringers. |
| Amplicom who specialise in phones with amplification. | | | | Some models also have flashing lights as well so you |
| They have both corded and cordless phones in the | | | | can see the call as it comes in. Often when a call |
| range and all of the phones have large chunky buttons. | | | | happens the user is in another room so can't hear the |
| This is good because a lot of the elderly or disabled | | | | ring. If this is there case there are even a range of |
| have dexterity problems, so large buttons make them | | | | ringers and flashers that can be added to the phone |
| much easier to dial. Some of the other manufacturers | | | | line as well. |