Need help with phone purchase - Hearing Disorders Message Board

Lee · 05-22-2003, 08:34 PM

I have a 88 yr old relative who cannot hear very well on the phone (he wears a hearing aide). He has tried the amplifiers from Radio Shack but he still can't understand using that. Does anyone have any experience with amplifier phones or hearing assisted phones that have been helpful?

mlgable · 05-25-2003, 12:16 AM

He should see his audiologist for help in selecting a phone that will work well with whatever type of hearing aides he has. Make an appointment for him with his audiologist and they can probably try different types of phones with him right in the audiologists office.

montag66 · 05-28-2003, 07:50 AM

And if your audiologist is of no help, try HARC Mercantile or Harris Communications. Both offer all kinds of assistive listening devices. Most audiologist purchase their assistive products from these companies but they also sell directly to the public.

Jim
Audiologist

Lee · 05-28-2003, 04:03 PM

Thank to both of you for your answers. His hearing loss is in the severe and profound range. He doesn't like anyone to go to the audiologist with him. He just gets more and more frustrated and is understanding less and less. I am going to ask my radio engineer friend if he will look at the list of phones on the HARC site and tell me what he thinks might help. Thanks again...if you think of anything else, please let me know.

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montag66 · 05-28-2003, 04:10 PM

Call HARC and give them your relatives audiogram. They will be able to recommend the best phone. These people have been in this field for a long time with only the best reputation.

Make sure you get a phone that you can adjust the loudness AND the frequency response of the ring tone. Most hearing impaired persons hear a low frequency ring much better than a high frequency ring.

Also, don't forget to look into alerting devices; smoke detectors, alarm clocks, door bells, etc...

[This message has been edited by montag66 (edited 05-28-2003).]